Page 3 of A Player’s Prayer (Mills Brothers #3)

“Nurse Jenkins, we have a young lady that was in a fender bender in room two,” Tanessa greeted me as soon as I approached the nurse’s station. “She says she’s fine, but you know how that goes.”

Sighing heavily, I accepted the clipboard from the charge nurse and reviewed the patient’s chart.

I’d just come back from lunch, not even two minutes ago, and more work was being dumped on me.

It was my third month at Grove’s Memorial Hospital, and I was already over it.

I love my job and what I do; I was never one to complain about the workload that came with being a nurse.

This issue was the nurses being some of the sorriest ones I’ve ever worked with.

“When you’re done, I need you to check the vitals of the patients in rooms four and six.” I dragged my eyes over to Tanessa and watched as she groaned and grunted while sitting on her wide ass, throwing out demands. “When you’re done with that, I need you to?—”

“Wait…” I raised my hand, cutting her off.

Looking around, I saw two other nurses sitting on the opposite side of the desk, scrolling TikTok while on the clock.

“I’m not the only person working here today.

Why can’t you or the other girls help out instead of expecting me to pick up everyone’s slack? ”

Rearing her head back as if she were offended, she slowly stood from her seat before rounding the desk and walking back over to me. Although she towered over my five-three frame, I wasn’t intimidated in the least bit. Her nose flared as she hovered over me, but I stood my ground.

“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?” She sassed as she placed her hands on her thick hips. “You think just because you’re the shiny new toy that holds everyone’s interest that you’re excluded from doing your part?”

“I didn’t say that.” I shook my head profusely. “All I’m saying is?—”

“Ladies, why are y’all just standing around chit-chatting?” Dr. Morrison walked over and interrupted our interaction. “Patients are filling the lobby, and we’re running out of rooms back here to place them in.” He frowned as he looked back and forth between us. “Is there an issue?”

“Yeah, newbie . Is there an issue?” Tanessa smirked, crossing her arms. “This is a very demanding job, and if you can’t handle it, maybe you should have accepted a smaller role at a private office.”

Chewing on my lower lip, I said nothing as I turned on my heels in search of my crash patient.

Along the way, I stopped and checked on the patients who lined the walls, waiting to be seen by the doctor.

This hospital was horribly understaffed, but I knew that before I accepted the position.

What I didn’t expect was to be working with a bunch of children who disguised themselves as professionals.

“Heyyy.” I stepped into the room, pulling the curtain back as the pretty young girl came into view. “I’m Dakota, and I’m going to make sure you’re good to go before leaving here.” I gave her a small smile as I placed the blood pressure cuff on her arm. “You want to tell me what happened?”

“Some dickhead wasn’t paying any attention at the red light and ran into the back of me.

” She eyed me worriedly as I checked her blood pressure, which was elevated.

“I’m fine, seriously. I only came in so I could have proof of the reason I missed out on taking an exam today. My professor is not one to play with.”

“I understand…” I nodded as I notated her vitals.

“Your blood pressure is a little high, but it’s to be expected.

Mine does the same when I have to go to the doctor too.

” I gave her an assuring smile as I removed my flashlight from my pocket.

“Let me check your pupils, followed by your lungs, and we can go from there.”

For the next ten minutes, we made small talk while I conducted the exam. I found out a long time ago that the more personable you become with the patients, the more comfortable they are. Once I was done, I gave her my final assessment.

“Well, Amelia… based on what I can see, you’re fine. I can get you an X-ray done on your lower back if you’d like.” I nodded toward her movements, watching her wince as she gripped it. “Is it bothering you badly?”

“To be honest, I don’t know if it was the accident or just everyday stress.” She gave me a small smile as she grabbed her purse. I’d already given her discharge papers because I didn’t believe in keeping people here all day. “I’m on my feet a lot, so it’s probably just a strain from work.”

“Do you need an excuse to be off from there as well as school?” I was already in the process of writing it. “You should take some time off and rest, love. You only have one body and don’t want to overdo it.”

After letting me know she would talk to her boss about taking some days off, she accepted the prescription for muscle relaxers.

She promised to see her primary doctor if any more pain progressed, and I was okay with that.

Once she was gone, I finished up my notes to add to her file before leaving the room.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t hear Dr. Morrison until he cleared his throat.

“I knew you were going to be a good fit here when you were first introduced as a new member.” I glanced over my shoulder as he placed his hands in his slacks, walking further into the room. The man was a walking wet dream, even in black scrubs. “How are you liking the place?”

“Ehh.” We shared a laugh as I shrugged and continued, “I love my job, and I love helping people. That’s all that matters to me. Everything else can be ignored.”

Tanessa and her flunkies are the least of my worries when it comes to me doing my job.

Asia, the only other registered nurse I got along with here, gave me a small rundown when I first arrived.

I didn’t feed into it too much because I could form my own opinions of people, but she was right.

My first meeting with Tanessa let me know she was insecure with herself, but that was a personal problem and didn’t have anything to do with me.

“Well, if you have any trouble or need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know.” He walked over closer and stood behind me. I didn’t like the way the scene appeared, so I stood. “Also, I know you’re new in the city, so if you need a tour guide, let me know.”

Peering up at him, he was a very handsome man.

He kept his head shaved and his beard neatly trimmed.

All the ladies went wild over his dark chocolate skin and beautiful hazel eyes, but he didn’t do it for me.

It wasn’t even because we worked together, but more so his attitude.

This man knew he was fine, and I hated the arrogance that exuded from him because instead of it coming across as confident, it came across as presumptuous.

Before I could decline his offer, Tanessa came barging into the room. Breathing heavily, her frown deepened as she looked from me to the doctor.

“If you’re done parlaying, there are other patients who need assistance.” She rolled her eyes before peering over at Dr. Morrison. “If you needed help with something, I would have been more than happy to assist you.”

“So you’re free right now?” he asked as he put space between us. “You’re not too busy?”

“Not at all.” She batted her eyes at him dreamily. “I’m at your disposal.”

“Great! You can give Nurse Jenkins here a hand with those patients you spoke of.” He smiled brightly, causing hers to drop. “If it’s a problem, let me know, and I will call your manager to see what we can do to rectify it.”

Giving him a nod and tight-lipped smile, she left as soon as she came.

Giggling to myself, I knew he had caused more harm than good.

Hopefully, Tanessa would leave well enough alone and keep it moving.

On the outside, I may look like a sweet and innocent nurse, and I’d hate to show her how looks can be deceiving.

“Friend! I still can’t believe you moved all the way to Milly Grove. You left me out here for dead, hoe.”

Listening to Zaria whine, I walked the strip of the small shopping center.

It was a rare day off from work for me, and I needed a day of self-care.

I’d been living in the city for a few months, but I was still trying to figure out the best places to shop.

Approaching a shoe store, I chose to go inside.

I was always down for a new pair of sneakers and had heard great things about this store at work.

“Zaria, I told you to come out here and visit me whenever you wanted to. You act as if I’m on the other side of the world or something.” I looked around the store and found the women’s section immediately. “I’m only four hours from you.”

“Whatever, hoe.” I giggled, knowing she was rolling her eyes. “I’m coming out there the next time I’m off work and staying for a couple of days. You know Sed will have a fit if I leave him for too long.”

Pursing my lips together, I browsed the wall of shoes.

I was mentally going through my wardrobe to see what I could buy and actually wear.

I hadn’t been out much in Milly Grove due to working nonstop, but I kept telling myself that would change soon.

Zaria continued to yap about Sed not caring that I had yet to say a word.

She knows I hate her nigga, though, so there was never much for me to say anyway.

“Oh yeah, Bear asked about you the other day. Imagine my surprise when he said he didn’t know you moved. How are you in a whole relationship and don’t tell your man you left town?”

Pulling down a pair of Adidas from the wall, I zoned out of the conversation entirely and continued to browse the wall. Zaria would be talking to herself if she thought I was going to entertain a conversation about my ex. If Bear didn’t know that I had left town, it was more his fault than mine.