Jackson had finished yet another liposuction, but couldn't get himself to concentrate. A high five, really? April hurt him and he knew he couldn't be around her without wanting to rekindle their romance. He was avoiding her, avoiding feeling the pain again. But was he being too mean to her? Contrary to his actions earlier, he was very proud of her and was beyond glad that they could put the boards behind them because he didn't like to think of himself as the reason she failed. After his last liposuction for the day, he was roaming the hallways in the hospital.
"Karev, have you seen April?" He asked the peds surgeon who walked by.
"Hey you guys still going at it?" Alex laughed.
"She's engaged." He responded to Alex even though he knew that Alex already knew. Everyone knew.
"Yea can you believe it? I give it a month before he realizes what a mistake he's making." Alex remarked and right then he noticed Jackson glaring at him. "She's in the locker room." He finally stated before he walked off to meet Jo. Jackson walked over to the locker room and noticed the red head changing into her regular clothes.
"So how does it feel to be a board certified surgeon?" He asked as he approached her.
"Definitely better than not being one." She laughed trying to keep her distance after he rejected her hug earlier. He couldn't help but smile.
"What do you say we go to Joe's and grab a drink to celebrate?" Jackson asked her.
"Um sure." April responded reluctantly. Jackson wanted to keep his distance, but at the moment he felt guilty for being a jerk to her after her confession. Besides, he really was happy for her and wanted to be there for this.
They made their way to the bar and he ordered two drinks.
"So no plans with your fiancé tonight?" He asked trying to cover up his bitterness.
"He's working late tonight." April responded as she chugged down her drink and asked Joe for another one. Joe passed her another drink and Jackson grabbed it.
"Take it easy there champ, don't want you to get into any bar fights." He laughed.
"The only fight I'll be having is with you if you don't give me that drink." She laughed.
"Fair enough." He smiled at her as he gave her the drink. They locked eyes for a minute. Jackson looked down breaking the eye contact.
"This is nice." April said.
"What?" Jackson responded looking back up at her.
"Being friends again. I missed this, I missed you." She said meeting his eyes with her own.
"Yea it is." He remarked. They spent the next hour or so catching up with each other. April had one too many drinks and was falling all over the place. Jackson couldn't help but laugh at her actions.
"Okay let's get you home." He smirked as he put his arm around her shoulder and helped her out of the bar.
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" She shouted as they made their way out.
"I'm trying to get you home." He smiled.
"Well it's going to take a lot more than a few drinks to make that happen Jackson Avery." She said as she pointed a finger at him.
"Right." He laughed at her failed interpretation of what he was saying.
"I'm serious! I'm an engaged woman now." She laughed. "It's funny actually." She remarked. That comment annoyed him more than he'd like to admit. He called a cab and waited with her. The cab got there and he got in with her.
"We're making two stops." He said and then proceeded to give the man the addresses. The cab made the first stop and Jackson helped April out of the car.
"Can I just stay with you?" She asked him as she looked up at his green eyes. "Please." She said as she held his hands.
"You're an engaged woman now. Remember?" He responded rather annoyed. "Goodnight April." He said as he got back in the cab and made his way home.