Page 11 of Scout

Every time the scalpel slices, I feel eyes on me. A burn against my skin. I glance up—just once—to the viewing bay.

And of course he’s there.

Xavier.

He watches me, a puzzle he can’t quite solve, searching for evidence of the night I had with Scout written across my hands. His arms are crossed, lips pressed tight, and that scowl—that scowl—looks carved from stone. His black glasses only make it sharper, like they were engineered to frame his disdain.

I focus back on the open chest in front of me.

“Suction.”

Blood drains away. I clamp, stitch, resect.

Nurse Glutab—Sally—clears her throat from my right. “So, Dr. Lane, are you going to Dr. Maddoc’s retirement party?”

I don’t look up. “Yeah, Sally, I am. It’s supposed to be super over the top, but I like free drinks, so I’ll wish the asshole a farewell.”

She laughs. “You’re not wrong. He should’ve retired years ago.”

“Five, minimum,” I mutter, tying off a bleeder.

She hums. “Who do you think they’ll give his job to? Chief of Surgery’s a big title.”

“Don’t get crazy, Sally.” I glance at her finally. “I’m not even sure I want that.”

“You should.” Her voice softens. “You’re a damn good surgeon, Kendrix. And an even better man.”

I pause, just for a second. My hands still.

“Thank you,” I say quietly, and end the conversation there.

I finish closing the patient, check vitals one last time, and pull off my gloves.

“We’re done here.”

I head for the scrub room. I’ve already peeled off my gown and gloves, tossed them in the OR bin like always. The water’s already running when I step up to the sink. I wash slowly, methodically, staring down at my fingers like they might still be touching Scout.

When I shut the water off, I brace myself against the edge of the sink and let the silence close in around me.

I can feel Xavier’s gaze like a ghost behind me, even though the glass between us is two inches thick and sealed.

I towel off.

Time for lunch.

Not that I’m hungry.

Not withhimstill in my head.

5

Xavier

I wait for him outside.

Leaned up against the concrete pillar like I’ve got all the time in the goddamn world and nothing to lose. But my stomach’s tight, and my jaw’s clenched so hard I’m going to crack a molar if I’m not careful.

The moment Kendrix steps through the sliding glass doors, I push off the wall.