Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

nurses I've ever met. Anna and I just love this guy."
    "I didn't know you frequented the ER that often," Gabe said, sarcasm thick in his tone.
    "Dude, I've got three boys. I practically live up here." Eric started to laugh.
    "I think in the six months that I've lived here I've seen each one of your boys at least once." His face scrunched up in thought. "Maybe at least one of them more than once. How're they doing?"
    "They're great."
    "That's good to hear." Lucas smiled at Eric then turned back to face Gabe. "So Mr. Edgerton—" Lucas looked down at his chart. "—I see you went up against a car and lost?" Lucas looked back up and locked eyes with him. "That about right?"
    Heat burned his cheeks as Lucas stared at him, waiting for an answer. Having the full focus of Lucas's stare upon him caused butterflies to stir in his gut. "There was no time to get out of the way," he defended himself.
    "There's always time, Mr. Edgerton." Lucas's tone was light and nonjudgmental, but held a layer of authority behind it. Gabe couldn't help but bristle at the accusation.
    "This is all my fault. He got hurt saving my life. If he hadn't pushed me out of the way, that crazy bitch would've run me over."
    "How heroic of you. I'm just glad she didn't flatten you like a pancake." Lucas grinned at him as he stepped toward the bed.
    "Here, let me get out of your way." Eric headed for the door. "I'm going to go call Anna and let her know I'm fine. Are you going to be okay, Gabe?"
    "He's in good hands, Eric, I promise," Lucas answered for him.
    "Okay, then." Eric gave him a final glance from the doorway. "Thanks again man."
    Gabe waved a hand in his direction. "You'd have done the same for me."
    Eric smiled and nodded his head once, then left.
    Lucas moved quietly around the room. Gabe felt the need to explain his actions. He didn't want Lucas thinking he was mentally unstable or some shit. "I'm not suicidal, if that's what you're thinking." Gabe fidgeted with the edge of the blanket that lay across his lap.
    "I never said you were. But I have to ask, why didn't you jump out of the way when you pushed Eric to safety? Seems like the logical thing to do, don't you think?"
    It was an easy question to answer, but he couldn't. He always acted first without thought for his own well-being. That was something he'd done since his father left him and his mother to fend for themselves when he was a teenager. Anger began to boil his blood. Lucas didn't know him, didn't know the job. Sometimes things happened and people got hurt. He didn't have to explain himself.
    "I guess you're not going to answer my question then." Lucas moved closer to the bed and Gabe could smell the slight hint of his cologne. It reminded him of a summer breeze coming off the ocean, clean and fresh. He closed his eyes and let the scent fill his senses, but as he took a deeper breath, his face cringed in pain.
    "Hey, take it easy." Lucas placed his smooth, cool fingers against his forehead, rubbing at his hair line. "From what the paramedic put down here, you might have either broken or cracked a couple of ribs. So try and take short, even breaths. Once the doctor comes in, he can give you something for the pain."
    Gabe nodded his understanding, but kept his eyes clenched tight. He rested against the pillows propped up behind his head. His body was at war with itself. He wanted to be mad at Lucas—at anyone for that matter—but he also wanted Lucas to continue to touch him and talk to him in that sweet tone he was using as he caressed his hand against Gabe's hair. Lucas was making him want things that couldn't be. He was a nurse; it was his job to comfort him, and that made what he was feeling even more depressing.
    "I've been waiting in this fucking room for what seems like forever. Why don't you walk your sweet ass out there and bring me back something for the pain so I can get the hell out of here?" Gabe snapped.
    Gabe could feel Lucas's warm breath as it fanned across his face. He turned his head slightly, then blinked open his eyes. Lucas was nose to nose with him. "If you're so tough, why don't you walk your sweet ass out there and get it yourself?"
    Lucas spoke in a calm and controlled tone that caused a chill to run up Gabe's back. His defenses started to crumble. He could feel his toes begin to curl.
    No!
    Gabe gave himself a mental shake. He didn't want to feel anything toward Lucas. Relationships never lasted. He'd learned that long ago, and he'd be damned if he let