Something Like That

Blushing

Lia woke feeling the sunshine hot on her face.  Rubbing the sleep from her eyes sitting up, she yawned.  Looking at her phone she gasped at seeing it was after three in the afternoon.  Lia hopped out of bed and made her way to the kitchen.  Half awake she began preparing her coffee. 

“Hello Sunshine” Dani sang from the kitchen table. 

“Hey!”  Lia cried, happy to see her friend.  Dani stood reaching out her arms for a hug.  Lia quickly let her squeeze her close, thankful for the warmth. 

“Heard about your rough night.  You okay?” she frowned. 

“Yeah, I’m alright.” She whispered remembering Cody and Nathan in the living room but now not seeing either of them.  Dani realizing Lia was looking for the men answered her thoughts. 

“The guys got your car this morning.  Needed a new battery, Cody got it replaced for you.  He headed home a few ago for work.  Nate’s in the shower now.”  She sat back at the table, sipping her coffee. 

“Really?  He didn’t have to do that.”  Lia sat with her. 

“No, he didn’t.  But he did for you.”  Dani smiled behind her mug, raising her eyebrow. 

“What?”  Lia asked shyly. 

“He totally likes you.” 

“We just met and under crazy circumstances.”  Lia rolled her eyes despite her excitement at Dani’s observation. 

“So?  Love at first sight ya know?”  Dani laughed. 

“Love?  Who’s in love?”  Nathan bellowed as he exited the bedroom.  Lia could feel her cheeks burning red. 

“Well, I thought maybe Cody but your sister is looking flushed too.” 

Lia gave Dani an ‘I could kill you’ look. 

“Oh God.”  Nathan groaned. 

“You are insane.”  Lia said standing from the table now. 

“You should’ve realized that when I said yes to your brother.”  She laughed, kissing him softly. 

“We got your car taken care of sis.  Should be good to go now.”  Nathan stated. 

“Thanks.  How much do I owe you?  Or owe Cody?” 

“Nothing.  Cody paid and did most of the work anyway.  He ain’t gonna take your money.” 

“Ugh.  Well thank you and please thank him for me.”  Lia chugged the last bit of her coffee and sat the mug in the sink.  Looking over at Dani she could see a wide smile forming. 

“Thank him yourself.”  Nathan nodded at the front door. 

Lia turned to see a uniform clad Cody entering.  She blinked her eyes a few times, adjusting to see how amazing he looked.  Her heart fluttered in her chest and she almost couldn’t breathe.  Nathan snorted from the table seeing her reaction.  Cody smiled and held up a backpack. 

“Noticed this in my truck and figured I should drop it by.”  He sat it on the counter in front of Lia. 

“Oh, thank you.  I’m such a helpless mess I swear.”  Lia grumbled, annoyed with herself. 

“Since when?!”  Danie snorted.  “You’ve always been the most organized, collected, strong person.” 

“Yeah, well apparently she took the night off last night.”  Lia moaned. 

Cody couldn’t help but laugh as his heart fluttered at her messy, sleepy appearance.  He tried to hide his attraction but Nathan and Dani saw straight through. 

“It was a rough night.  I think you’re allowed at least one night off.”  Cody shuffled on his feet looking shyly at Lia. 

“I supposed.”  She shrugged. 

“Well, if this isn’t the most boring afternoon ever.”  Nathan growled.  

“Oh, it gets better babe!  Cake tasting!”  Dani squealed as they all laughed. 

“Well, I’m going to leave yall to it and get to work.  Eat some cake for me and Miss Lia, enjoy your afternoon.”  Cody smiled heading out. 

The rest of the day was uneventful, which Lia was mostly grateful for.  She sent her brother and Dani off to eat cake while she cleaned up the house, took a long relaxing bath and found herself several times thinking about Cody’s gorgeous eyes and muscular body.  It had been some time since Lia had any kind of relationship.  As a traveling nurse, relationships just never worked.  She dated here and there, mostly when friends set her up, despite her protest, but that was the extent of it. 

Lia sat with her phone and a glass of wine at the kitchen island.  She scrolled aimlessly through social media as she saw Cameron’s name come across. 

“Hello?” 

“Lia?  I’m so sorry to bug you.  I know I said I’d adjust the schedule, but I could really use you tonight.  If you’re up for it and available.”  Cameron quickly blurted out. 

“Yes, of course!”  Lia replied, immediately standing.  She poured out the win, grateful she hadn’t sipped any yet. 

“Amazing!  I’ll be at the front desk, come see me when you get here.” 

Lia made her way to the hospital, texting Nathan about her change in plans before she went in. 

The evening went smooth and quick.  Lia found her groove and fit right in, making friends with her coworkers quickly.  Taking a minute to respond to some texts but was caught off guard when a call came in that an officer involved shooting and officer shot. . .  she rushed up to get ready for what was coming.  Lia and her coworkers handled the chaos with ease and fortunately none of the injuries were life threatening for the officers.  As Lia took over a few patients as another nurse got a break, she noticed the patients’ name.  Cody Hudson.  She felt a twinge in her gut knowing there couldn’t be that many Cody’s in this small-town squad.  Bracing herself she opened the door. 

Cody felt like s**t.  Getting shot sucked.  Lucky for him the bullet merely grazed his side, nicking his rib just below the bullet proof vest.  The doctor was a jerk and did a piss poor job stitching him up, so he laid waiting for the nurse to return to get him straightened out. 

“Hello again.”  Lia spoke softly as she entered the room.  She held back a gasp as she saw a shirtless Cody sitting on the bed.  His muscular chest on full display, noticing a few perfectly placed tattoos as he held his side. 

Cody almost forgot how uncomfortable he was when he saw Lia’s beautiful face enter the room, he even smiled like a dope, from the pain meds of course. 

“Lia.” He whispered. 

“Oh my! I thought you were stitched up?!”  She questioned getting her gloves on to tend to his side that was now bleeding. 

“Yeah, me too.”  He laughed.  “No offense, but that ‘doctor’ sucks.”  He groaned. 

“I’m not a fan either and I’ve just met him.”  She rolled her eyes as she cleaned Cody’s wound remembering the encounter with Dr. Wallins earlier in the evening where he pretty much sexually harassed her. 

“Oh yeah?”  Cody questioned. 

“It looks like he just didn’t put enough stitches.  I’ll get you sewn up.  I’m sorry.  Are you hurting?”  She asked in working mode. 

“No, they gave me a shot of something for pain so I’m good.  It’s mostly just a scratch.”  He watched her work, watching her concentrate on the intricate movements, studying her face and surprising himself wanting to kiss her perfect lips.  Lia could feel his eyes burning on her and once she finished the last stitch, she met his gaze.  For a moment, her breath was caught and the room silent until the jerk doctor came in. 

“Nurse Morgan.  I already stitched this patient.”  He said hatefully.  His blonde hair, green eyes and tall frame entering the room. 

“Yes sir.  It seems a few additional stitches were needed. . . “ 

“You should have called for me.”  He interrupted. 

“My apologies sir.  It’s taken care of now though.”  She tried to smile. 

“Well, I suppose I can look over this infraction if you respond favorably to my request earlier.”  He smirked entering the info into Cody’s chart. 

Lia rolled her eyes as she looked at Cody who life his eyebrows questioning and before Lia could respond, Cody couldn’t resist. 

“What was that request?” He laughed.  Dr. Wallins shot a dirty look at him. 

“Nurse Morgan, we can speak outside once you’ve cleaned this.”  He motioned to the stitch mess and Cody.  Once the door closed, Cody turned to her. 

“Well, will you tell me?” he smiled. 

“He asked me out on a date.”  She groaned.  Cody had a feeling that was the answer though he was still disappointed when he heard her say it. 

“Not interested?”  He asked, looking away. 

“God. No!”  Lia laughed. 

“Nurse Morgan!”  Dr. Wallins called opening the door. 

“Yes sir, I’ll be right there.”  She hurriedly finished charting and as she stepped toward the door, Cody called out. 

“Hey Doc, you can’t blackmail a beautiful woman, who happens to be the sister of the chief of police and a close friend of a deputy, to date you.  Most men, real men, use their good looks and charm to get a lady.”  He winked at her, confident.  The pain meds were in full effect.  Lia nearly choked on air, not sure quite what to think as Dr. Wallins replied. 

“Excuse me?  I’m not sure any of this is your concern officer.  You’ll be discharged shortly.  Nurse Morgan, triage needs your assistance.”  He closed the door after that. 

Lia looked at Cody, smiling. 

“Thanks, I think.”  She laughed. 

“He’s an ass.”  He groggily replied to which Lia giggled again. 

“Who can we call to pick you up?”  she asked. 

“I got no one.”  He laughed. 

“Seriously?” 

“Seriously.”  He confirmed. 

“I’ll be back.”  Lia said leaving the room. 

“Nurse Morgan” Dr. Wallins greeted her immediately. 

“Doctor” Lia nodded, grabbing her phone. 

“Personal call while working?” He questioned with a smirk. 

“No.  I’m calling a ride for Mr. Hudson.” She spoke as she pressed Nathan’s name.