Page 54

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

ELLIOT

Wyles Bros

Me

Dinner. My apartment. Tonight.

Jordan

I think that’s the fewest words you’ve ever used to issue a dinner invitation. It’s usually a whole formal thing with a time and assignments for what to bring. Sometimes there’s an activity.

Noah

Seriously. Have you been kidnapped or something? Is this a cry for help?

Cooper

Nah, he’s just all relaxed and shit because he’s getting laid on the regular.

Me

I’m not just getting laid. I’m in a relationship, asshole.

Noah

A relationship where you’re getting laid.

Cooper

Are you twelve?

Noah

Nah, they don’t let twelve-year-olds be surgeons.

Jordan

Oral surgeon.

Noah

Fuck off. Remind me how long your residency was because my oral surgery residency is six fucking years which, if I recall correctly, is two years longer than your basic bitch surgery residency.

And don’t come at me with your peds surgery fellowship. Fellowship isn’t residency. Everyone knows that. I think it’s clear who is the badder ass among us.

Cooper

Fucking hell.

Jordan

*pats self on back*

Noah

Uh, what the fuck is happening right now.

Me

They have a bet going on how many times Jordan can piss you off this month by reminding you that you’re an oral surgeon.

Cooper

Jordan just won.

Jordan

You’re damn right I did.

Noah

*grumbles*

I think I liked you better when you were grief-stricken.

Jordan

Be that as it may, Cooper now owes me a hundred bucks so, thank you for your service.

Also, you know I’m proud of you, right? I just say that shit to fuck with you because it’s funny.

Cooper

We’re all proud of you.

Me

And you are definitely the baddest ass.

Noah

Fuck, fine. I forgive you. Now stop making it all emotional and weird.

Me

Done. Dinner is at seven. Make dessert.

Noah

I’m going to assume you were talking to me because ovens cry actual tears when Cooper gets near them and Jordan is more of a make dinner but buy dessert kind of guy.

Me

Sure was. You’re not at the hospital today. You have time to make dessert.

Noah

How do you know my schedule?

Cooper

Seriously? It’s Elliot. He has everyone’s schedule memorized. He knows my schedule and I don’t even have a schedule beyond work always.

Me

It’s a gift.

Jordan

You know, you could free up a ton of mental space by paying less attention to our schedules. We’re fully grown adults.

Me

I am who I am. Just let me live.

Noah

Will Amelia be there?

Me

Of course she’ll be there.

Noah

Why of course? Last I checked she doesn’t live with you.

Cooper

*head, desk*

Me

I think you need a crash course in how relationships work.

Jordan

Jo’s coming too. I’m finishing up back-to-back twenty-four-hour shifts. If you think I’m spending any more time away from my girl after that, you’re high.

Noah

You know, once upon a time we had guys hangs. No girls allowed.

Me

Amelia invited Hannah.

Noah

Say no more. Any requests for dessert?

Cooper

You know she has a boyfriend, right?

Noah

I mean, does she? She’s been here for weeks, and I haven’t seen that asshole darken her doorstep.

Cooper

Have you asked her about it? You clearly like her, and she’s living one floor above you.

Jordan

That would require them having an actual conversation, and that’s a hard pass from her.

Me

Also, why are you so insistent that he’s an asshole?

Jordan

This. Jo said he’s a nice guy. Apparently, they’ve been together for years.

Noah

I just know. I’m changing the subject now. El, how was Maine? Are you on your way back now?

Cooper

Did you solve our very mysterious mystery?

Me

How Maine was is the reason for dinner. We’ll be back in an hour.

The mystery was solved.

Jordan

Can we have a hint?

Me

It’s really better in person for the full effect.

Noah

You know I don’t have that kind of patience.

Me

Well, you’re going to have to summon some. Tonight. Seven. I’ll tell you everything.

Jordan

Mom and Dad coming?

Me

No, they’re busy tonight, so we’re stopping there on our way home to tell them and Cece everything together. Felt right that they be the first to know anyway.

Noah

Know what?

Me

Nice try. Seven. See you then.

Cooper

And how was the rest of Maine? Was it romantic and shit?

Jordan

Spoken like the other brother with no relationship experience.

Cooper

Hard to have relationship experience when you work eighty hours a week.

Me

That can’t be healthy.

Cooper

Oh, it’s definitely not. But the only other associate in my group is an insane workaholic who I’m like 98% sure is half cyborg.

I came in this morning and she was wearing the same clothes she had on yesterday, which means she pulled an all nighter, and she’s still here now.

She’s the bane of my damn existence and the reason why I have absolutely no life, never sleep, and am currently still in the office working on a fucking Sunday.

Noah

That’s pretty pathetic dude. In fact, it’s so pathetic you get to choose dessert. I’ll make whatever you want.

Cooper

I need pie. I don’t care what kind.

Jordan

No fruit except for apple. Jo has a weird thing about fruit not being dessert unless it’s apple.

Me

Amelia doesn’t like apple pie, so skip that one.

Noah

Whipped. All of you. Cooper and I are taking this dessert conversation to a separate chat. The girls will eat what I give them, and they’ll like it.

Noah

Ask Amelia if chocolate chip cookie pie works for her. I found a recipe. Cooper wants apple, so I’m making two pies.

Me

She said “fuck yes, I need it immediately” so I think it’s a go.

See, you’re not nearly the asshole everyone thinks you are.

Noah

Shit, does everyone think I’m an asshole? I don’t want that.

Me

Simmer down, I was just kidding.

If you like her, you really could just try a conversation. Being friends first helps.

Noah

And how would you know that, Mr. I fell in love at first sight on an airplane?

Me

Jordan told me. Seems to have worked for him.

Noah

It’s…complicated.

Me

It’s always complicated. If it’s worth it, you can figure it out.

Noah

Yeah, maybe.

Gotta run, I’ve got some pies to make.

Me

Noah.

Noah

Yeah.

Me

I wasn’t kidding. You really are a good guy. The best.

Noah

Thanks, El.