OBSESSED

41

JARROD

Fridays were supposed to be good. Everyone was automatically in a better mood. The day shift was usually nice and slow.

I used to work night shift in the ER on Fridays, but I'd gotten that shift moved to a new resident so that I could spend time with Leah in the evening.

Unfortunately, I learned very quickly that today was not going to be a normal day by any measure.

As soon as I walked into my office, three nurses swarmed me.

"My patient has been waiting two hours to be seen, Dr. Muller."

"Dr. Flagler needs to talk to you about an embolism patient."

"The pharmacy called because one of your patients is forging your signature on written scripts."

The rest of my day was no less hectic. My 10-hour shift felt like 24.

I didn't even have time to eat lunch between cases and I needed a cup of coffee all day, but I never got one. I hadn't been this exhausted since my med school days.

Then, when I had a moment to check my phone, I found several texts from James saying that asshole Dominic abandoned Julia the night before she left the fucking hospital.

She woke up and he was gone. James refused to look for him, though apparently Julia had begged him to. The staff had to sedate Julia again.

James should have let me strangle the bastard when I had the chance.

Despite her episode, Julia was released from the hospital this afternoon at my parents' insistence. They were now taking her back to a daily rehabilitation facility in Charlotte.

By the time I finished seeing patients and doing their records, it was eight o'clock. I checked my phone as I dragged myself down to the hospital parking garage.

Leah had called and thought she didn't leave a voicemail, she did send me a text. I regretted not talking to her more this week but the days escaped me. I was certain she'd also been busy.

LEAH: hey, hope your day is going well🤗

Seeing her text made me realize how much I missed her. I tried to call her back but it went to voicemail.

JARROD: been long, need some reprieve😅hows your day going? Wanna come over tonight? Getting off now

I stopped by Domino's on the way home to pick up a pepperoni pizza. After the day I'd had, I was about to chow down on the whole damn pie.

When I collapsed on the couch in my condo with my second slice of pizza between my teeth, I checked my phone to see if Leah had responded.

Still nothing.

I swallowed back my disappointment and turned a football game on the television. The entire pizza was gone in a few minutes and I stretched out on the sofa so I could breathe around my fullness.

Although I knew I shouldn't, I checked my phone again. Still no response. I decided to shoot her another message.

JARROD: hey baby what're you up to rn