Page 96 of Give Me What You Will

John released a long breath. “This isn’t good.” He flipped off his glasses, rubbing the back of his neck before abruptly straightening, slapping a hand on the counter, and shaking his head. “Well, I refuse to let this rain on my parade, because I very much intended to end this shift on a happy note.”

John slipped his hand into his scrubs pocket, pulling out two cards. “These are for you.” He handed both Sam and Steph a white envelope.

Steph’s eyes widened in excitement, snatching the card and ripping it open before Sam even had a chance to accept his.

“You’re doing it?” Steph asked, pulling out the card, mouth agape before grinning.

John blushed, “Yes, we are.”

He quickly opened the envelope and saw it was an engagement announcement for Wyatt and him, along with an engagement party date in two months.

Warmth flooded his chest and he reached for John, pulling him in for a hug. He loved John like family. He saw his dedication and commitment to his patients and the hospital almost immediately upon arriving from Boston. He had never had a better mentor and colleague. So, when they had eventually become friends, it felt natural, easy even. The way he had become friends with Frankie. The difference was in the type of love he shared for them.

He loved John as an actual best friend.

And he loved Frankie the way John loved Wyatt.

Still hugging him, Sam whispered gruffly, “I’m happy for you, man. I really am.”

John pulled away, tears brimming in his eyes. “I—uh, I was hoping you’d be my best man?”

Stunned, he grinned. “Fuck! Of course!”

Relieved, John let out a breath, wiping away the tears. “Good… good.”

“My turn!” Steph squealed, launching herself into a hug for John. “Whose Wyatt’s best man?”

“His friend from college, Jin. He’s gonna ask Walsh tonight to be a groomsman,” John explained.

“He asked me last night,” Walsh said, striding by toward the locker room, lollipop dangling from his mouth, completely unfazed by whatever Tanya had been saying to him. “I said yes to the dress, Johnny boy,” he added with a wink. “Congrats. And thank you for allowing me the honor to stand by your mate.”

“Thanks. Of course.” John glanced at him and back at Tanya. “Everything okay?”

“Oh, peachy,” he drawled.

“Damage control usually means doing less damage, Walsh,” Sam chided.

Walsh flicked his blue eyes to his, their arctic coldness feeling frosty today. “Nothin’ I can’t handle.”

“Can you?” Sam challenged.

Walsh’s chin hitched to the side, gaze narrowing. “One day, I hope to correct your presumptions about me through either a proper conversation like true gents—or…” Walsh stepped forward, looking almost gleeful. “I can show you the way my daddy taught me. It usually involved his fists.”

Sam stiffened.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some carnage that needs my attention,” Walsh grinned once more at John, clasping him on the back before striding off to the staff lockers.

Sam turned to look at John, who merely tilted his head and lifted his hands. “Not my beef. Hopefully you two figure that out before my big day.”

Feathers ruffled slightly from Walsh, he rolled his shoulders and nodded. “It’s not me you gotta be worried about.”

John searched his face, eyes narrowing. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Well, I’m sure when you’re ready, you’ll tell me what’s added the pep to your step this week.”

Sam’s thoughts immediately returned to Frankie. “I think that’ll require a beer or two.”