Page 16 of Don't Look Down

Now, I look forward to talking to him more than I should.

There’s this itchy feeling crawling inside me, and the itchiness is enhanced by this shit day. Maybe I just need to get away. Go on a jump or something. I’ll have to see what I can get into since I cut my four days off short by picking up this shift. Based on the last few days, it’s not likely the weather willcooperate for a jump. It’s probably impossible to set up a last-minute getaway since I’ll need to get some kind of sleep, based on the exhaustion I’m feeling.

Sleep wastes so much time, but it’s a necessary evil.

There’s not much wiggle room, but I have a little time in there for something, I think. I’ll probably just end up at the beach. Answering the call of the ocean should help wash away some of the itchiness. My abuela used to tell me the ocean calls to me because I’m a water sign. That might track.

Nursing is the best career in the world in my opinion. It’s a grueling schedule, but there’s also a lot of free time too. Usually, I can’t complain about my schedule. And I don’t.Mostof the time.

And I have no right to complain since I brought this extra shift on myself. I love how flexible my schedule allows me to be.

I fucked myself this time, because I basically got off work at six this morning, took a nap in the on-call room, showered, then started up again at eight this morning. Fucked, and I didn’t even get an orgasm out of it.

Usually, though, the four consecutive days off allow me to travel frequently and indulge my wandering soul. I need it like I need oxygen in my lungs.

The itch is building the longer I sit here. The granola bar is long gone, and I need to refill my water bottle, but my thoughts have me oddly frozen yet fidgety. It’s an uncomfortable feeling. Talking to Landon will settle me down a little bit.

Am I becoming codependent?

I don’t even actuallyknowthis guy? This is another level of crazy for me.

Fuck. I drop my elbows onto the nurse’s station and sigh out a rough breath of frustration.

“You good, Sky?” Belinda, my coworker and the nurse manager, drops a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.

“Baby girl, this shift is shit.” My pout and side-eye game are strong.

“Amen, babe. Something is in the air. Why don't you step away and take an actual breather? Head into the lounge for a few. I’ll check in on your patients.” Her brown eyes seem to twinkle at me. Suspicion rises. I tilt my head inquiringly, and luckily, she doesn’t keep me waiting. “Go on and grab a cookie. I baked your favorite.”

Her words make me the happiest guy on the whole floor, but I still pout harder in an exaggerated fashion of mock annoyance. She deserves it for holding out on me. Plus, I’m me, and hello drama queen.

I live and breathe dramatics, but someone has to do it. It can be hard being this fabulous. Just ask me.

My hands land on my hips when I stand up, and I tilt my head at her accusingly. “B, you’ve been holding those cookies hostage for how long? How long have they been in there? I’ve been withering away this whole time, and there you are just watching? You love to see me suffer, woman. Theaudacity.”

She cackles gleefully, and her eyes crinkle at the corners. “Always. It gives me nothing but joy. Now go on and take a few minutes.” She makes a be-gone motion at me. “I’ve got this.”

After I squeeze her hand gratefully, I back away and mockingly bow at her. “You’re the best. After me at least.” I blow her a kiss and toss a wink over my shoulder.

In the employee lounge, I grab a triple chocolate cookie—okay,fine!I grab two cookies—then settle onto the couch with my feet propped on another chair. I pull out my cell to scroll through the socials, looking for something to entertain me for a few minutes.

A notification on the gaming app catches my eye as my finger hovers over Instagram. I redirect my trajectory at the last secondand open that app instead. My pulse speeds up and a smile stretches across my mouth.

LandonTheBull: Yo.

A soft chuckle leaves me because he sounds like such a bro. And that’s not really me, but we still click. As I type out a response, I notice he sent the message earlier this afternoon.

Oops. I’ve been busy. He’ll forgive me.

Skysthelimit: Hey, LTB.

Skysthelimit: How’s your day been?

Skysthelimit: I took an extra shift at the hospital… Naturally it’s been shit. I’m taking a much-needed cookie break to drown my sorrows and get me through these next few hours.

Skysthelimit: Tell me your day is going better than mine. If it isn’t, just lie to me a little.

Jeez, Sky, way to sound needy.Like I’m desperate or something and we can’t have that. Desperation isn’t cute. Not that I’m trying to be cute.