Still strapped to an IV, I lay in the hospital bed, waiting for my mom to pick me up. The doctor said during his last visit that I was ready to be discharged. I just needed one final check-up before being released, and the bill would be charged to my account.
"It's been ages, Mom!" I said, holding the phone tight to my ear. "I've been stuck here for hours. Where are you?"
"Honey Ari, Dave and I--"
My jaw clenched. Dave. Of course. Her precious boyfriend. "What about Dave?" I snapped. "Does he have something to do with me getting discharged from this hellhole?"
"Arianne, calm down," she sighed. "You were just admitted overnight because you didn't get enough sleep--"
"Damn right, I didn't! Because I was up all night working and making sure this family eats! And now you can't even pick me up because, oh, let me guess--another dinner date with Dave?"
There was a pause. Too long a pause.
"I just thought... you're old enough to manage on your own now. You'll be fine, sweetie."
"Screw this!" I screamed into the phone. "How could you do this to me?! Your daughter over a fucking dinner reservation? Tell me the truth, Mom!"
"Okay, fine! Yes! You got me, alright? We already had dinner reservations!"
I let out a sharp laugh, more bitter than amused. "Wow. Right. Of course. God forbid your evening with Dave gets interrupted by your daughter sitting alone in a hospital bed!"
"Ari, please don't make this a big deal--"
"No, no, it's not a big deal," I cut in. "It's just your kid, in a hospital, with an IV still taped to her arm. But hey, you enjoy your night. I'll figure something out."
"Arianne! You're twenty-five years old, Jesus!"
I hung up before she could finish. Disappointment settled deep in my chest, heavier than the IV drip still ticking beside me.
Great. Happy discharge day to me.
Then came a knock. Soft. Almost apologetic. I didn't answer. Didn't even bother to look. A nurse would probably come to remind me again that the bill would be forwarded to my nonexistent insurance company.
"I'll be quick," a voice said, slipping into the room. "Sorry to interrupt your little argument, but I need to do rounds. Dr. Martinez had to head to another hospital--the older man's short-staffed, so I'm filling in."
The voice.
My blood ran cold before my eyes even confirmed it.
I turned my head, slowly, like I was bracing for a punch.
And there he was.
Him.
Hunter Evans.
Or should I say--Dr. Evans--a long-time ex of mine.
We'd been together since high school, and god forbid, it didn't work out.
Blame it on the chaos of my family back then. We were both immature, alright? Hunter was neck-deep in med school, drowning in textbooks and rotations, while I was busy dealing with my own family's bullshit.
And now here he was--in the flesh, in scrubs, holding a clipboard he probably didn't even need.
He looked just as stunned, mouth slightly open, like he hadn't expected to walk into me either.
"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, more to myself than him.
Of all the rooms. Of all the damn hospitals in the city.
"Ari?" he finally breathed out.
"Nope," I said flatly. "This isn't her. But unfortunately, I'm the Ari that you've mistaken me for, and I'm still alive."
His jaw tensed--like I'd struck something raw. Good. Let him feel it.
"I see you still have that dark humor in you," he said, voice low.
The way he looked at me made my throat go dry. I hated it. And yet--
My legs clenched without permission.
Damn it!
He still had that same voice. That same stare, like he could see past everything I was trying to hide.
"Don't flatter yourself, Dr. Evans. I'm just pissed and sleep-deprived."
"You always did talk tough when you were hurt," he murmured.
I scoffed. "Yeah? And you always ran when shit got real."
Now that hit.
His grip on the clipboard tightened.
"Maybe I did," he said quietly. "But I'm here now."
My chest burned. I wasn't ready for this. Not him. Not today.
Not while I still had a damn IV in my arm.
He stepped inside slowly, cautious, like I might throw the IV pole at him. And to be fair, I was considering it.
"Alright. Jokes aside, I didn't know you were--"
"Save it," I snapped, sitting up straighter. "If I wanted drama, I would've turned on a soap opera."
The tension in the room could've snapped steel. All those memories I had buried and burned were clawing their way back up just from being near him. His presence alone was enough to knock the air out of me. And judging by his face, he was feeling it too.
But I wasn't about to give him that satisfaction.
"Do what you came here to do," I said, voice like ice. "Then get out."
Hunter flinched. Just slightly. But I saw it.
"Stop acting so cold," he muttered, setting the clipboard down harder than he probably meant to.
I let out a bitter laugh. "Cold? Try abandoned. You don't get to waltz in here after years and lecture me about emotions."
He turned, eyes narrowed. "You think you were the only one hurting back then?"
"No," I snapped. "But if I may remind you, doctor, I was the only one left picking up pieces you helped shatter."
Hunter looked like he wanted to say something--maybe even step closer--but thought better of it.
"I was drowning, Ari. Med school... my dad... everything was falling apart."