Chapter 2: Familiar Acquaintance

I was probably having one of the worst days of my life, and I could only pray it would get better. My morning started out shitty because the chick wasn't gone. She was in my kitchen. . . fucking it up by making eggs. Shitty eggs, too. I wasn't sure she even knew how to cook. I wound up biting into part of a shell. It only got worse when I got to work twenty minutes late because I had to clean the mess. My father was on me the second I signed in.

"You haven't spoken to your mother in over a week," he said. "She said she tried to call."

"I've been busy. I'll call this weekend."

"Son, she's making dinner tonight. You're coming."

I cocked my head. "I am?"

"You are." He smiled. "It'll make her happy."

I sighed. My mother was too sweet to deny happiness to. "What time?"

"You get off at seven, yes?"

He knew my schedule. "Yeah."

"Then be there around seven-thirty. Thank you, son. She really does miss you."

"I just saw her a few weeks ago."

"And you were gone for twelve years. She has you home now, so she just wants to spend some time with you. You're her baby boy." He chuckled as he walked away.

Dinner with my parents wasn't the worst thing. I had plans with my TV and couch tonight, so it wasn't ideal, but I'd live. No, my day really got fucking terrible when I lost a patient on my table. There was nothing I could ever hate more than losing a patient, even if I tried all I could. Fucking hated it. I spent the rest of the morning wallowing in guilt.

"Blood work results you wanted," Jasper said, tossing them on the counter beside me. "I'm a nurse, you know, not your errand boy."

I looked up and his face showed he wasn't fucking around. Just great. Now my best friend was mad at me. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to know if there was something I missed. I know you're not an errand boy. We've been friends since we were six. I wasn't trying to use you."

His face softened. "Good. And I'm sorry about your patient. Drinks tonight?"

I shook my head. "Dinner with my parents. Tomorrow night, though, okay?"

"Sounds good. Do you at least want to go get coffee? I'm taking a break."

"Yeah, that sounds good. Let me just read this first."

He nodded and left me alone with the folder. Just as I suspected, I hadn't miss anything. It was a bad case from the get-go. Still, I was at my limit for shitty things that could happen to me in one day.

. . . . .

The day seemed to be looking up after coffee. I had a successful surgery, which made me feel a little better. After that, a nurse brought me a cupcake. She sat it down with a smile, and then walked away, shaking her ass just for me. I was highly considering breaking my 'no fucking nurses' rule. I was burned once, so I had banned it, but this one. . . this one I kinda liked.

"She just wants to say she's fucked you," Jasper said, taking my damn cupcake. "I wouldn't touch her with a ten foot pole."

"I wasn't going to touch her with a ten foot pole." I smirked, snatching it back from him and licking the icing.

"You're sick and you have a problem."

"But I'm happy. Are you happy, Jazz? I can play wingman tomorrow night."

"No, thank you," he laughed. "I just met someone, actually."

"Do tell."

"Her name's Alice, and she's a teacher. She's different, but in a good way."

"Different is. . . good."

"We went out on a date last Friday. I'm taking her out again this Friday."

"Do I get to meet her?"

"Hell no. She'll be scared off if she finds out I keep friends like you."

"What's wrong with me?"

"You think with your dick half the time. Plus, you're an asshole."

"That's a little. . . rude. I don't think with my dick. I do have brains, you know. I went to medical school — a good one, too."

He laughed. "So you deny the dick thing, but not the asshole thing?"

I shrugged. "That may be true sometimes. But I wouldn't be an asshole to her. If you care about her, I should get to know her."

"I need her to like me enough to put up with you. Maybe some other time, all right?"

"Fine. But I have to ask, are you hiding her from me because she looks like an animal or some shit? You can tell me the truth."

"Fuck you. She's beautiful."

I laughed. "I had to ask."

"I have to get back to work. Maybe you should try it. Don't you have post-ops to check on?"

"Yes. After I finish eating my cupcake," I said, biting into the deliciousness.

Cupcakes from hot nurses were definitely an awesome perk of working here. I decided I should get as many baked goods as I could out of her before deciding whether or not to screw her. I was thinking no, but I'd let the cupcakes decide if she was worthy of me breaking my rule.

. . . . .

I got out of the hospital right on time. That was good since disappointing my mother was something I certainly didn't want to do. When I got out to my car, Tanya, I petted her dashboard like usual. My baby was a graduation present. She was a beautiful, black, Porsche Cayman S, and she had a very special place in my heart. My kind of lady, let's just say.

The drive to my parent's house didn't take too long. My mom had a thing for mother nature, so the massive house was just outside of town in the woods. Honestly, it seemed like it had more windows than actual walls to see everything surrounding it.

As soon as I walked through the door, Mom had me in a steel grip. Obviously, a week with no phone calls was too long. I watched my dad walk into the foyer with a smug grin. Mom still wouldn't let go, so I basically had to pry her off of me.

She stood on her toes and kissed my cheek like usual. "A week is not okay with me, mister," she said, jabbing her finger into my chest.

"Sorry, Mom."

She smiled and took my hand. "I forgive you, but you're making it up to me. I need some help with the garden this weekend. You will be here on Sunday."

I sighed. Gardening fucking sucked, but I'd do it for her. My secret downfall was my mom. I reverted back to my teenage, sweet Momma's boy around her. Every. Fucking. Time. "Okay, what time do you want me here?"

"Nine in the morning."

Mom led me into the dining room where Rosalie was with Ben — my eleven month old nephew. Rosalie had him in her lap as they played with some red ball. He was grabbing it from her hand. It was a recent achievement. Honestly, I didn't see the big deal.

"So the kid's feeling better?" I asked, sitting down across the table from her.

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Edward, Ben is feeling better. I am so sorry his illness caused you to have to work a double. Boo-hoo."

"Jeez, I was just asking. No need to be bitchy."

"Edward," Dad warned. "Language."

"Sorry," I mumbled. "But she started it."

"You are a thirty-year-old man," Rosalie said. "And yet you act like an insolent child."

"I am twenty-nine, thank you very much."

"For what? Two more months? Aww, are you getting worried about hitting thirty?" she laughed.

"Only if I age like you did. You have a wrinkle there, sis."

"Do not, asshole."

"Enough," Mom said, walking in with the roast. "I will not have that language from either of you in my house. Act like the adults you are and not the children you were."

"Sorry, Mom," I said.

"I'm sorry," Rosalie said.

"Good, now let's eat. It's so good to have both of my children and my grandchild here for dinner." Mom smiled. "I just wish Emmett were here, too."

"Me too," Rosalie said. "But Dad keeps giving him nightshifts."

"We have a schedule," Dad said. "Everyone takes turns, and you know that, Rose. He's on call this week. Like Edward will be next week."

"When are you on-call, Dad?" I asked.

"Remember all those little-league games I missed when you were little? Then. Besides, I'm the boss." He grinned. "I can do what I want."

"Personally, I think Eddie-boy should be on-call more," Rosalie said. "Unlike Emmett, he doesn't have a family that needs him."

"Don't call me that," I said. "And I have a life, too. Mine is actually quite fun."

"I bet it won't be as fun when you get herpes from one of your whores."

"Rosalie," Mom said. "That was uncalled for. Even though we don't agree with what Edward does, it's his life and his choice to do with what he wants. He'll be the one to suffer the consequences."

"Wow, thanks," I said. "And they're not whores, Rosalie."

She laughed. "Call them what you want, but if they're sleeping with you, I'd call them whores."

"Stop it. . . now," Dad said. "And to get us off this topic, your mother and I have some good news." He smiled, taking Mom's hand on the table. "Would you like to tell them, darling?"

"Sure." She grinned. "We're getting remarried!"

"That's great!" Rosalie said. "When?"

"This summer. You're father came up with the idea for our anniversary. I can't believe it's been forty years," she sighed peacefully. "Seems like just yesterday."

"It does, my love," Dad said, kissing her softly.

"Congratulations," I said.

"Thank you, honey," Mom said. "We're very excited. Now, Rosalie, I'll need help with planning. Think you're up to it?"

. . . . .

After dinner, I didn't stay long. Dad and I had a glass of Brandy and talked a little about work before I left. I still had that date with my couch and TV. After saying goodnight to Tanya, I made my way up to my apartment. As I unlocked the door, New Girl's door opened, and she bolted out.

"Oh, good! You're home. You uh. . . had a visitor, and since I didn't want her waiting in the hall, I invited her in," she said. "Please, don't be mad."

I cocked my head. "Visitor? Why would I be mad?"

"I didn't know what she wanted, but I think you'll be happy," she said. "Maybe."

A woman I vaguely recognized came waltzing out of New Girl's apartment. I couldn't quite place her, but I knew her somehow. She smiled, switching the car seat she was carrying to the other hand.

"Long time no see, Edward," she said. "Remember me?"

"I'm gonna. . . yeah, I'll go," New Girl said, rushing back into her apartment and closing the door.

"Um. . . yeah, you're. . ." I said, completely spacing on her name.

"Kate." She scowled. "I'm Kate. We had sex the night you were celebrating finishing your residency. Remember me now?"

Chick that wanted to play doctor. "Yeah, sorry. What. . . what do you need?" I said, looking at the car seat with a blanket over it.

Please, fuck no.

"I have great news." Somehow, I seriously doubted I'd find it that great. "You're a daddy!"

And that was how my shitty day got more shitty than even I could imagine. My dick wasn't so fabulous in that moment.