Free Sucker Punch (TKO #4) by Ana Layne Page B

get up and get ready for yet another day of work. Nora got text confirmation about the date. All I told her was everything went great. I figure I’ll give her the full details in person.
    I clock in and notice she’s not here yet. Usually we meet in the parking lot, but today I didn’t see her there. As soon as I close my locker, I hear her voice.
    “Hey hooker, I’m ready for the details of this date!” she says as she walks to her locker.
    I grin and begin telling the same story my mom heard last night. When I get to the part about the fight, her eyes widen, just like Mom’s. I laugh—I can’t help it. I left out the kiss to my mom but I tell Nora all about it.
    She gets all giddy. “So, when are you seeing him again?”
    “Nor, seriously, you know it’s not that easy for me. I have a kid, I can’t just go out on dates all of the time,” I remind her.
    “I know. Just let me be excited for you, okay?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” I chuckle. One great date doesn’t constitute completely letting my walls down. Some walls need to stay up a little longer.
    I check my phone one last time before I begin my shift. Austin just sent his typical good morning text. I reply before shutting my locker. I sure do plan on having a good day.
    One of my patients this morning is a young girl who just had a small surgery and is in recovery. As soon as she wakes, she can be transferred from ICU to a regular room. I grab her chart and look it over. She’s only nine years old and I read her appendix had to be immediately removed. Poor little girl. I turn and see a bouquet of flowers on the desk of the nurse’s station. I go and grab one to set it on her chest. That way, when she comes to, she’ll have something beautiful to look at.
    I have to go check on another patient and I hope I’ll be there when this little girl wakes. I walk back out of the room and continue on my rounds. Since losing a patient the other day, I’ve been a little nervous to walk into these rooms. Not knowing what was going to happen just constantly ate at me. Today things are going well though. I see a few patients get to leave ICU while others hang onto their lives. These people are fighters, and I admire each and every single one of them.
    I make my way back to the little girl’s room. As I walk in, she is being prepared to move out of ICU. She looks up and smiles at me. That warms my heart so much. She clings to the flower as they finish prepping her. I step out and think about what a great day this is so far.
    I take my lunch break soon after and check my phone as I bite into the turkey sandwich I made this morning. There’s a message from Austin and a message from Brendan. Talk about a buzzkill. I open Austin’s message but ignore Brendan’s. He’s the one who told me to leave him alone, and I will.
     
    Austin: I got in trouble for my fight last night.
     
    Paige: What do you mean?
     
    Austin: Fighting outside of the gym isn’t allowed. Even though this wasn’t my fault.
     
    Paige: I’m sorry.
     
    Austin: I’m not trying to ruin your day, I just wanted to talk to you and that sorta came out.
     
    Paige: I don’t mind. I’m just on lunch.
     
    Another message from Brendan pops up and I groan. My gosh, what is his problem? I decide to torture myself and see what the hell he wants.
     
    Brendan: What the hell are these papers I got served today?
     
    Brendan: Paige, fucking answer me. I don’t owe you shit. We already talked about this.
     
    Oh hell, I completely forgot about the child support papers I had filed. I’ve been doing this on my own and doing a damn good job but I’m tired of letting him live an easy life. My mom sat there with me while I filled them out weeks ago. I wanted her help in case any something confused me. I can’t believe that slipped my mind.
     
    Paige: I don’t have to answer anything for you, Brendan. I’m leaving you alone like you asked.
     
    Brendan: You fucking bitch. You won’t get a fucking dime from