Chapter 3

Jay advanced to the front of his line quicker than expected. Hailey was a couple feet behind him in the other line. He turned to look at her and she stuck out her hand. He grabbed it and squeezed like a drowning man latching onto a life preserver.

"If you want to join your girlfriend, go ahead," said the man after Hailey. "It's my day off so I'm in no hurry."

"Uh, thanks, but . . ." stammered Jay.

Hailey smiled. "Thank you, but we're good. He really needs to get his first. He's not the best patient."

Before Jay could react, someone called out, "Next! Right this way, sir." He was ushered inside and a screener asked his name and birthdate, then checked his temperature. "You're good to go," she said.

If only, thought Jay.

She gestured to the floor. "Stay behind this white line and wait to be called."

"Got it," he said without enthusiasm. Hailey was still outside and his heart began pounding. Never a good sign.

Hails, where are you?

Ten seconds later. "Sir, you can come over here," beckoned a young, pretty and entirely too cheerful nurse. "How are you this afternoon? My name is Lauren and I'm a student. This is my supervisor." She indicated the older nurse behind her who was getting supplies ready. "Mildred," nodded the other woman. Her no-nonsense manner suggested she wanted to move people along as fast as possible.

Jay mumbled something which might have been okay or fine. It didn't matter because Lauren kept talking. "And what is your name?"

"Jay Halstead."

"Are you related to Dr. Halstead?" asked Lauren.

"Unfortunately."

Her head jerked up from the computer screen. "Kidding," said Jay. "He's my brother."

A big smile lit Lauren's face. "Oh, we love Dr. Halstead. He's so sweet."

"So I hear." Clearly a member of the Will Halstead fan club.

"There you are," said Will. "I saw your name on the list. Everything good?"

Jay rubbed the back of his neck. "I hope so." He fixated on Mildred drawing up the dose. He squirmed and swallowed nervously. His throat felt like the Sahara.

"Uh, is Hail . . ."

Will knew what he was going to ask and said, "Hailey's getting shot right now." He held up a hand. "Sorry, poor choice of words."

"Can she . . ."

"I'll send her over when she's done," said Will.

"Thanks, man."

Mildred met Will's eyes. "It's fine," he said. "They're partners at CPD and they pretty much live together anyway."

Jay sighed. "Bro, I don't think they're interested in my home life."

Mildred's eyebrows rose. "I see. Whatever you say, Dr. Halstead."

"So, if you will push up your sleeve," said Lauren. She was anxious to perfect her injection technique, even if this cute guy made her nervous and talk too much.

"Sure." Jay took off his jacket and tried to push up the sleeve of his Henley. However, it was too tight. "Yeah, okay. This is not working," he mumbled. "What the hell." He yanked the Henley over his head.

Lauren sucked in a breath and her eyes widened as she took in the old scars and bullet wounds. Not to mention the Glock and shield at his waist.

"Not my first rodeo at this place," he said. "Just ask my brother."

"Affirmative," said Will. "He has a long rap sheet here." His cell phone vibrated with a text and he fished it out of his pocket.

"Gotta go. I'm sure these ladies will take good care of you," said Will before he dashed off.

"You need to be more careful," said Lauren quietly. Then an unprofessional thought occurred to her. Nice bod! Too bad he's with this Hailey person. I hope she appreciates him.

"Heard that before," said Jay.

"Um, so, are you, uh. . ." She was gawking so much it was hard to form a coherent sentence. Mildred cut in. "Lauren, come on. Patients are waiting and no doubt Detective Halstead needs to get back to work. Maybe you should let me do this one.'

"No, I got it. I can do it," exclaimed Lauren. No way was she going to let fuddy-duddy Mildred cheat her out of her hot patient!

"Jay. All good?" Hailey glided up beside Jay and laid a hand on his shoulder.

This must be Hailey, thought Lauren irreverently. She critically scanned the petite blonde from head to toe. Her long hair was pulled up in a high ponytail. She also wore a gun and shield at her waist.

"Now I am," he sighed.

Lauren swabbed his arm with alcohol and jabbed the needle in. He frowned, but thankfully did not hyperventilate or faint. She'd seen brawny football players pass out while getting injections.

"All done," she said and stuck a smiley-face band aid on him.

"Thanks," said Jay as he pulled on his Henley.

"You're welcome," said Lauren. Darn it, I was enjoying the view. Then she remembered the other instructions she was supposed to give.

"Follow the signs to the waiting area and hang out for fifteen minutes. If you feel okay after that, you're free to go."

"Six feet apart," Mildred called after them.

"What a hunk!" giggled Lauren as Jay and Hailey walked away. "Nice gluteus maximus, too."

Mildred gave her a stern look. "Lauren, that's no way to talk about a patient."

Undaunted, Lauren added, "It was a clinical observation. We're taught to pay attention to our patients."

"Not that much attention," said Mildred with an eye roll.

In the waiting area, which was usually the physical therapy gym, chairs were socially-distanced. It was quiet and everyone was hunched over a cell phone or tablet. Jay and Hailey found seats at the end of a row in a corner and when the room monitors weren't looking, they scooted their chairs closer together.

Jay leaned his head against the wall and exhaled slowly. He felt Hailey's reassuring hand on his knee.

"You did it," she whispered. "I'm proud of you."

"This is only the first one," he said. "We have to repeat this in 3 weeks."

"True. But don't worry about that today. Embrace this small victory."

Ha ran a hand down his face. "You're right. However, you know what I'd really like to embrace?"

"A cold beer?" said Hailey.

Jay grinned. "Yes . . . and you."

"Both of those can be arranged," said Hailey. Her blue eyes twinkled. "But I don't want to go to Molly's tonight."

"Neither do I," said Jay. "We can have a quiet evening at home." Then he leaned over and kissed Hailey briefly. "Thanks for always having my back," he whispered.

Will had come to the waiting area after dealing with a crisis in the emergency room to make sure Jay had survived his ordeal. When he saw the kiss, he nodded in approval.

I hope Jay knows how lucky he is to have her.