Page 34 of A Player’s Prayer (Mills Brothers #3)

“Asia, you can go ahead and take your break, boo,” I told one of my floor nurses as she arrived back at the station from doing her rounds. “I will keep an eye on your patients until you get back.”

“Are you sure?” She eyed me skeptically as she grabbed her bag. “The other girls haven’t come back yet.”

“I’m sure.” I smiled, taking her charts from her. “I promise you, I got it.”

As if she wasn’t giving me a chance to change my mind, she grabbed her bag and high-tailed it out of the emergency unit.

Thank God it was a slow day, so I could manage it.

The girls have told me repeatedly that my leadership is so different from Tanessa’s.

From me bringing them food and gifts to simply relieving them of their duties for a simple mental break, they appreciate me being in charge.

I told the girls when I took the position that I wasn’t here to be a dictator.

We were a team, and we would operate as one, and I was happy they were seeing that I was being honest.

“Hello, Nurse Jenkins.” I glanced over my shoulder as Dr. Morrison approached the station. I’ve been looking at him sideways since the night we—well, mostly he—was robbed. “You look nice today.”

“Keep it cute,” is all I said as I continued to audit the girl’s charts to ensure everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing.

I haven’t had any issues since taking over, but I never want them or myself to get complacent.

Still feeling him hover, I sighed heavily, turning to give him my attention.

“Is there something you need, Dr. Morrison?” Crossing my arms, I waited for him to say whatever it was he needed to get off his chest.

Rubbing his hand across his face, he looked to me with sad eyes that I couldn’t care less about. “I just want to apologize for our date. I know you feel as if I lied to you about my wife, but I didn’t. We’re going through a hard time right now.”

“I don’t care. I have things to do,” I spoke honestly, turning back to finish my work. “Also, it wasn’t a date. It was two coworkers sharing a meal, and in the process, one found that the other wasn’t shit. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

Conversing with him was the last thing I wanted to do.

Not only was it pointless, but I wasn’t in the mood.

Since kicking Adrian out of my house the morning after the party, I’ve been feeling like shit.

I missed him to the point that I don’t even know why I was mad at him anymore.

I mean, I know the reason, but I feel like maybe I was going too far.

“We have a gunshot victim arriving by private vehicle, and we’re going to take him to room six!” one of my nurses announced as she sped-walked to the nurse station. “It doesn’t appear to be life-threatening.”

“You handle the front, and I will step in to assist Dr. Morrison.” I handed her the charts as I stepped around the desk. “Asia has gone to lunch, but Vicki and Sara should be back momentarily. Come get me if you need me.”

Assuring that she could handle it, I made my way to check on the gunshot victim. Although it was said to be non-threatening, I wanted to make sure of it. Turning the corner, Dr. Morrison was walking out of the room with an unreadable look on his face.

“Is everything okay?” I asked worriedly as I approached the curtain. “Why are you leaving?”

“Well, I was advised that if I wanted to keep my head on my shoulders without a bullet to match his, I would get the fuck out.”

Frowning, I pushed the curtains back and was shocked to see Adrian bleeding all over the place. All of my professionalism went out the window as I rushed over to his side.

“Adrian! What happened?” I cupped his face as I looked him over. “Who shot you?”

“That’s not important,” he replied, grinning at me. “You look so pretty, baby. Them some new scrubs you got on? Where you get them from?”

“Baby…” I chuckled when he leaned up and kissed me.

I allowed it because I wanted him to. There was no point in acting as if I didn’t miss his touch.

“You’re shot, and you don’t think it’s important?

” Glancing over in the corner, I noticed his brother sitting there without a care in the world. “Skip, what happened to him?”

“Nigga missed you and wanted to see you.” He shrugged, flipping through a home improvement magazine as if this wasn’t a big deal.

“So, here we are. The bullet went through and through. Can you clean the nigga up before he loses his fuckin’ arm?

” Looking up, Skip locked eyes with me before he dragged them over to his brother.

“Y’all need to figure y’all shit out. Got me out here missing movie night with Gi Baby…

” he said, slightly whispering the last part, causing me to smirk.

Confused about the earlier statement, I looked from Skip to a smiling Adrian, and my grin dropped.

Dressed in gray joggers and a beater, I brought over a blanket and placed it over his lap.

Weakly, he laughed at the gesture as I hurriedly walked over to the sink to wash my hands.

Once my gloves were on, I took a look at the wound to ensure it was through and through.

Cleaning the area first, I grabbed the skin stapler next and closed both the entrance and exit holes.

Adrian made no sounds, staring at me as if I were a beach’s sunset.

Applying antibiotic ointment all around both closures after cleaning his shoulder again, I gently placed a sterilized bandage on to cover both closure sites.

It had only taken me fifteen minutes, and he was as good as new.

“Adrian, how are you feeling, baby?” I helped him sit up on the bed. “Are you in any pain?”

“The only pain I feel is in my chest.” He placed his hand over his heart. “It’s been that way since you called yourself leaving a nigga.”

Looking at him as Skip chuckled behind us, I placed my hand on my hips and glared at him. “Adrian, what the hell is going on?”

“Ain’t shit, except a nigga needing his girl back, Kodi.”

Rolling my eyes, I pressed him. “No, Adrian… Who shot you? I need to know if you’re in danger—standard hospital procedure.”

“I shot my damn self!” he exclaimed, scooting to the end of the bed. My eyes stretched wide as he grabbed me at my hips and pulled me closer. “I just wanted to be near you, baby. I can’t do this shit no more, Kodi. I miss you, and I want to come home, baby.”

“So you really shot yourself?” I eyed him as if he were foolish. It was clear as day that he was. “You could have been hurt.”

“It’s better than the pain I’m going through without having you in my life.” He stood from the bed and wrapped me in his arms, not bothered by the pain in his shoulder. “Can we please just talk about this shit? I’m begging you, Kodi.”

As I stared into his eyes, I saw the sincerity in his words. He truly missed me. Standing on my tiptoes, I placed my hand behind his head and pulled his lips down to mine. Sliding my tongue into his mouth, I was the one who tried to swallow him whole.

“Y’all are two of the most dysfunctional muthafuckas I know.

” Skip griped from the corner, causing me to break the kiss and giggle.

“Give that nigga his meds and shit so we can go. Mi just texted that Gi won’t lie down until she knows her Uncle Wild is okay, and Mama is ready to beat your ass nigga, so be prepared for that. ”

“Wait, it’s Sunday…” The realization hit me as I was leaving the room to get him a prescription for pain pills and antibiotics. “You did this at dinner?”

“I did.” He smiled as if the shit was right.

Turning to Skip, I frowned. “Y’all didn’t stop his dumbass?”

“The coin decided.” Skip shrugged, stepping into the doorway. “I’ll get the car.”

Eyeing Adrian, I rolled my eyes and left to find Dr. Morrison. He was sitting at his desk when I approached him. “Can you sign off on these prescriptions for antibiotics and pain killers? Patients’ wound was through and through. It’s cleaned, stapled, and bandaged. He’s waiting to be discharged.”

Glancing over his shoulder at me, he scoffed before turning back around, giving me his back. “I don’t feel comfortable doing that. I wasn’t allowed to see said patient. How do I know he won’t use the pills to sell on the streets?”

“Bitch-ass nigga… the only thing I’ll sell on the streets are your fuckin’ organs.” Adrian crept up behind us, causing us both to jump. “Lucky for you, I’m trying to end my night face deep in Kodi’s?—”

“Hush.” I clamped his lips shut immediately. “I’ll get another doctor to sign off on the prescription, baby. Your brother is waiting on you up front. Go on.”

“Nah, one of the nurses told me you get off in two hours…” He leaned down and kissed my lips with his eyes still on Dr. Morrison. “I’ll wait up front because I’m leaving with you.”

Staring at Dr. Morrison for a few seconds longer, I watched as Adrian swaggered his crazy ass to the main lobby.

Not even wanting to be bothered with Dr. Morrison, I ignored his calling my name as I made my way back to the front.

After assuring the girls that Adrian was okay, it was back to our regular ER routine.

The two hours seemed to drag, but as soon as I hit the front lobby, Adrian was on his feet, waiting for me to lead him to the employee parking lot.

After getting another doctor to sign off on his meds, I got us some food and drove us to my house.

I didn’t know which way this conversation would go, but I was ready to talk it out.

I just prayed Adrian would understand my thought process on what had occurred.

That was the only way I would be comfortable with trying the relationship again.

“You need to take your meds, Adrian.” I walked into my living room, tapping his leg to wake him. “I know you’re sore.”

“The only thing that’s gonna make me feel better is you.” He groaned as he sat up. “You should’ve been asking a nigga for a new couch for your birthday. This shit is uncomfortable as fuck.”