Chapter 6

Silvy

I was stuck in the ER tonight for the late shift. Which means I won’t get home until early the next morning. I hated these shifts because they messed up my sleep schedule. But I only have to do them every other week, so that’s good. And I get the next day off after one of these shifts. Tonight is dragging, it is so slow. I’m always tossed up when this happens. Slow means there are no accidents, overdoses, sick or hurt kids, and no one is having chest pains or anything else. And that is good. Bad is the night is taking forever and I’m bored out of my mind. All our beds are empty, stocked, and cleaned and there is no one in the waiting room, so I have my feet on the desk, leaning back in my chair, playing games on my phone.

When I worked on other floors there was always something to do. Watching the monitors that were hooked to patients' rooms, checking vitals, answering calls, or doing paperwork. Here nothing. I hear heavy books coming toward the nurse's station but don’t pay attention. If it was a possible patient they would be escorted back after we got the heads up. It could be security since they are always moving around. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the other nurse Megan stand up and lean on the desk. Must be the flirting hour.

Megan will flirt with anyone. Patients, doctors, fellow nurses, security, housekeeping, you name it. If it has a dick and is decent looking she will flirt and more. I have caught her a few times in the storage closet and I have only been here a month. Luckily when I get transferred she won’t be going. Her permanent assignment is the ER. She reminds me of a skank just in scrubs. “ How can I help you handsome?” she says in a breathy voice that is supposed to be seductive but reeks of desperation. “ You can’t.” says a gruff voice that I know very well. I snap my head up. “ Goof?” I was confused. He smiles that smile that can make me melt and give me comfort at the same time.

“ Hey, babe,” he said. Megan snaps her head to me then Goof. “ Babe.” she whimpers. I ignore her. “ What are you doing here?” I asked. He has never come to my work unless one of his crew was in here. That thought makes me jump up. “ Is everyone alright? Is one of the kids sick?” I asked. Goof walks over and walks around the desk to stand beside me. “ Easy babe. Everyone is fine. Well, except Jax has been a little stuffy lately.” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. I release a breath. “ Good. That’s good.” I said. Goof chuckles “ It is cute that you worry like that.”

I don’t respond to that comment. Of course, I’m going to worry about them. Over the years starting with Lilly I have gotten to know all of them, kids included. They are my friends, I’m going to care. “ So what are you doing here?” I asked again. He lifts a small fabric cooler I just noticed. “ I brought you dinner,” he said. “ Goof, that’s awfully nice but you didn’t have to do that,” I said. He places the bag on the desk and kisses the top of my head. He has always done this but lately, I have been craving them for some reason. “ I know I didn’t. I wanted to. I don’t like the idea of you raiding the vending machine and I know the cafeteria is closed at this hour.” he said.

See what I mean about him being perfect. There are two things that have stopped me from trying to be more than friends. He is a playboy and he has never shown the slightest hint that he has ever been attracted to me. So no go. I can feel Megan glaring at me. “ I’m going to take my break now,” I said to her. I didn’t wait for a response, I just walked around the desk and motioned with my head for Goof to follow me. There is a small break room just down the hall. And I do mean small. It has two tables, four chairs, and a counter that has a coffee pot and microwave. Once we get in the room Goof goes ahead of me and pulls out a chair. “ Sit. I’ll get your dinner out,” he said.

I don’t know why I listen but I do. I sit and watch as Goof places the cooler on the table and opens it. He pulls out four containers and a thermos. After he sets those on the table he pulls out cutlery. Not plastic either, real. When he opens the lid I see he brought me meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, a salad, green beans, and fruit. I almost want to cry because of all the effort he put into it. “ Goof, this is too much,” I said. And I wasn’t just talking about the amount of food. “ No, it isn’t. You need to eat balanced meals. That doctor said so. So I’m just making sure you do. We need you to be healthy now and after you become pregnant. Now eat”.Goof said.

I grabbed the fork and cut a piece of meatloaf. I shoved it in my mouth. As soon as I started chewing the flavors burst on my tongue. It had a slight spice to it I couldn't place as well as onions, peppers, and bits of garlic. I made no effort to stop the moan that came out of my mouth. I went for the mashed potatoes next. They were the perfect amount of buttery, creamy, and salty. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I started eating. I was shoving food in my mouth when I heard a chuckle. I looked up and saw Goof smiling. I was so involved with my food I forgot he was there for a minute.

“ Don’t laugh at me. I’m starving.” I said as I stabbed some green beans. “ I’m glad you're enjoying your dinner.” Goof chuckled. “ This is the best meatloaf I have ever had. Where did you get it?” I asked, as I got a piece of it and dipped it into my potatoes before stuffing it in my mouth. “ I had Merigold pack up a to-go bag before I left,” he said. Oh yea, it is Sunday and they have family dinners at one of the ol’e ladies' houses. I have Merigold’s cooking before and it has been incredible. “ Make sure to tell her thanks for me,” I say as I reach for the salad. “ I’ll tell her,” Goof said.

I ask Goof about his week coming up. He told me he is at the rink twice this week for guard duty. “Have there been some new problems?” Last year there was a stalker issue because one of the owners, Nixon, had a crazy ex that wanted to hurt Sabine because she didn’t know she was Nixon’s sister. The ex thought Sabine was after her man. “ No, but Viper likes having some extra eyes on Pocket. And I get to watch Jax practice so it’s cool.” Goof said. “ How is Jax doing?” I asked. He explained he didn’t fully understand all the jumps and spins but in his eyes the kid is exceptional. “ Or I could just be a proud Uncle.” Goof laughs.

I have seen the way he is with all the kids. When the time comes and he is ready to settle down he is going to be a great dad. Or he will just stay the cool Uncle. But he definitely has the qualities of a good dad. I have seen him covered in paint because Kadance and Kassidy wanted to finger paint. He never batted an eye when more got on him than the paper. It just won’t be with me. Part of that bothers me but I let it go. I entered into this knowing what was going to happen. I have no claim over Goof. And I never will. He has never seen me as more than a friend.

And honestly, I would rather have him as a friend than not have Goof in my life at all. He is too valuable as a friend. We talked as I ate about our upcoming week. When I ate enough I feel like I could slip into a food coma. I help Goof pack everything up. “ Goof, thanks so much for dinner,” I said. Then he does something a little odd. He stands up from his chair and comes over to mine. He grabs my hand and helps me up. That’s not odd. Goof wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me closer to him. “ Silvy, you don’t have to thank me for something I wanted to do. I wanted to make sure you were eating properly,” he said.

Then he hugged me tight for a minute before letting me go. “ Be safe going home in the morning. Get a shower then straight to bed. Call me if you need me.” Goof said. The thing is Goof and I have only half hugged each other before today. And I hate to admit it but I really liked it. The feel of his hard chest pressed against mine. I could feel my nipples tighten. Thank goodness he couldn’t feel it. I would be embarrassed if Goof knew just a hug from him turned me on. It had to be the shots messing with my hormones.

After I promised to call if I needed him, he walked me back to the station. He kissed my head and told me to have a goodnight. As I sat down in my chair I heard Megan grumble “ Must be nice to have a hot guy bring you dinner.” If she stopped fucking every guy she sees she might get a nice guy to bring her dinner. But that is her problem, not mine. Mine is just left and will be coming over this week for sex. I just need to get pregnant fast so he will walk away.