Chapter Eight: Shittiest Boyfriend Of The Year

Caleb 

“Yo, Caleb!”

Richard, a second-year resident doctor, calls out my name as I stand in front of the nurses’ station, consulting with the charge nurse on a patient who was passed to me for care. 

He stops by the station, patting my shoulder as he leans in to whisper in my ear. “There’s a hot chick outside who’s asking for you. She says she’s your girlfriend.”

Anna? 

I frown immediately, my brows furrowing with a downward crease. “Anna?” 

“That’s her name?” He shrugs. “I don’t know, man. All I know,” he grins as he wriggles his brows, “is that you’re one lucky man. I’ve been unlucky with dates since I started working here, but you managed to land a hot woman like that.”

I nod stiffly at the compliment. “Thanks.”

He grins. “Anytime man.” I start to walk away, when he doubles back. “Hey,” he arches a brow in a way I completely don’t understand. “You think she has a friend that’s hot too? I wouldn’t mind getting set up. A blind date, or something like that.”

I smile thinly. “I’ll ask.”

He hits me hard on the shoulder, jostling me forward. “That’s why you’re the man. Gotta check on my patient to make sure her boyfriend hasn’t snuck a greasy burger into her room. It’ll totally screw up my day.”

I pretend like I care, nodding twice before moving on. 

Anna. I shove my hands into my pockets, my shoulders tight with tension. She hasn’t been to the hospital once since we started dating. Since I started working here. 

Something about not liking the antiseptic smell hospitals have. 

So, what’s she doing here? 

I squint sharply as I step through the doors, into the bright sunny afternoon, sparing my eyes from the blinding torture. 

“Hey babe!”

I turn in the direction of the parking lot, where there’s shade. She’s standing there, by the truck, dressed in a pretty summery dress. She’s pretty. She’s always been pretty, though. 

Anna crosses the distance as I walk at a measured pace, getting to me before I’m halfway across. She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me quickly on the mouth…but for some reason, I hesitate before hugging her back. 

“What are you doing here?” My voice also comes out like a query, instead of a casual expression. 

She shrugs with a pouty smile, her arms still around my neck. “I just thought I’d surprise you.”

I shake my head. “I thought you didn’t like hospitals? And…we saw each other two days ago.” 

Two days ago, when I stormed out of my apartment, using her as an excuse to be a jerk. The memory returns, with a tight feeling in my chest. 

The truth though, is that I haven’t stopped thinking about it. 

…I haven’t stopped thinking about the look on Ryan’s face when I had my hand down his jeans, his eyes rolled back and his lips parted. I haven’t forgotten the sounds he made…begging, pleading with me to make him come. 

The way his eyes glazed over when I stroked him faster…harder…and the way it made my heart race. Like I felt fucking alive for the first time in a long time.  

A feeling I’d only experienced one other time. 

When he was down on his knees between my legs. 

“Are you saying we can’t hang out every day?” Anna’s tone is sharp and accusatory, dragging me back to the conversation.

I drag my fingers through my hair roughly, forcing a smile on my face. “No, babe,” I reply, as evenly as I can, ignoring the gnawing feeling in my chest and pushing Ryan out of my head. “I just thought it was strange, that’s all. Especially because…” I trail off, glancing around when it suddenly hits me. 

She steps back, her smile wobbling. “Right,” she says flatly, but I hear the hurt in her voice. “You can’t be seen showing affection to your girlfriend because you’re pretending to date someone else.”

“I—” I exhale in a rush. 

I don’t know what to say that’ll make it feel better. 

“Wow,” she scoffs. “That’s the best you can do?” She thrust her hands on her hips. “Your girlfriend overcomes her fear of the hospital to see you and you care more about some boy and keeping up pretenses?”

Some boy. 

Some boy with my fingers curled around his cock, his eyes wide and wet, his lashes trembling against his cheeks. His groans, needy and pleading, his pre-cum leaking from the tip. 

“Anna…” My jaw clenches as I rake my fingers through my hair again. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry. I—there’s a lot to do. I’ve been on call for hours and I’m exhausted.”

She softens and I feel like the biggest asshole in the world when she leans in to kiss my cheek. “I understand,” she nods. “You’re my busy doctor. That’s why I took a half-day from work to prepare something for you.”

My lips purse. “Something like what?”

She places a finger to my lips. “Shh.  It’s a surprise. You only get to find out if you pick me up when your shift’s over. You get to go home today, right?”

I’m tempted to say no. 

But the guilt forces me to say yes. “Maybe we should hang out at your place,” I suggest gently. 

She rolls her eyes. “My roommate is bringing her boyfriend home. And he smokes. I hate it,” she pouts harder. “Besides, you have a bigger space. Or—” her expression turns sour, “—am I banned from your place now? Because of him?” 

I shake my head quickly. “No. Ryan understands.”

She scoffs. “Better. He’s only paying for half the place. You’re allowed to bring people over too. It’s not like you two are dating or hooking up.” She places her hand on my chest as she sighs, leaning in. I wonder if she can tell how fast it’s beating…

…if she can interpret the lies in my words from my racing heart. 

“I should go back in,” I say gruffly. “I’ll come pick you up at eight.”

She straightens, a bright color on her cheeks. “You promise?” 

I nod. “Yeah, I do.” 

I stiffen again when she hops on her toes to kiss me on the mouth. Thankfully, she doesn’t notice. “I’ll be waiting,” she murmurs. “So I hope you don’t disappoint your amazing girlfriend. Unless you’ll get an award for shittiest boyfriend of the year.”

I watch her walk away, my shoulders slumping as she gets into a cab and it drives off. 

Shittiest boyfriend of the year. 

I sigh as I shove my hands into my pockets, turning back to the hospital. I should buy the award myself. Or tattoo it on my forehead. 

So she knows that I don’t deserve her. 

Because I’ve spent the last two nights in the shower, jerking off to a face that doesn’t look like hers.