A Tough Choice

Chapter Four

I opened my lunch box and angrily stabbed a tomato with my fork. How dare he treat me like that. I wasn't a piece of meat, I was a person, I had feelings too. I silently thanked my lucky stars that he wasn't critically ill and would likely be discharged soon. I still couldn't help seething about it. I couldn't even be bothered to report it, after the way Connie had spoken to me.

I was still seething when Ethan walked in and sat opposite me.

"You okay?" he asked nervously.

"Yeah I'm fine thanks." I answered. I smiled slightly to myself, it was so sweet that he cared about me.

"I saw what happened.." he started but trailed off.

"Yeah well Connie didn't believe me." I said shrugging my shoulders.

"She's always like that, it's nothing personal." he stated.

"You should have told me, I'd have changed his dressings myself if I'd known what he was like." he said kindly.

I stared at him completely taken aback. It had been so long since I'd had someone genuinely care for me, that I didn't really know how to respond. I smiled at my thanks, as I didn't trust my voice.

"Have you worked here long?" I asked trying to change the subject.

"A couple of years, I worked in theatre for a while so that I could understand basic surgical techniques." he told me proudly.

"Wow that must have been really interesting." I said.

"It was, but I prefer working in the ED." he stated.

I pushed my food around my lunch box, trying to ignore the awkward silence.

"Your phone is ringing." he piped up.

"Huh." I said as I snapped my head up.

He blushed and gestured to where my phone was sitting on the table. I glanced and saw that it was flashing to say that I had a call. When I saw who was calling I sighed and quickly pushed the phone away.

"Well I take it you're avoiding someone." Ethan chuckled.

"Something like that." I whispered.

I jumped as the staff room door opened and Caleb walked in, closely followed by another guy. I could feel Ethan's eyes on me, clearly confused as to why I was so jumpy.

"Aww Ethan, it's unusual to see you talking to women." Caleb teased.

Ethan blushed and sat picking at something on the table. I looked between the two of them feeling slightly awkward.

"I'm Ben, but most people call me Lofty." the young guy told me.

"Emma." I smiled at him.

He smiled back and began to rummage in the fridge. I glanced at Caleb as he sat next to me. I couldn't help but notice how different Ethan seemed now that Caleb was here. Ethan glared at him as Caleb reached over and took a handful of his crisps.

"So I see you've met my baby brother." Caleb grinned.

"You're brothers!" I exclaimed.

"Yep." Caleb said popping the 'P'

"Although actually that makes sense, you do look quite similar." I pointed out.

"Well I think I'm more handsome." Caleb grinned.

I rolled my eyes and glanced at Ethan who still hadn't looked up from the table.

"What's it like working together?" I asked them.

"Hard work." Ethan admitted.

"Charming." Caleb shrugged.

"Ethan doesn't like it because I'm a better doctor than him." Caleb bantered.

"Really, is that why I qualified before you because you were to busy partying!" Ethan protested.

"Whatever you say." Caleb said condescendingly.

"There's a work night out tonight which you'll be invited to." Lofty said to me, clearly trying to diffuse the tension.

"Thanks, but I'll probably give it a miss." I admitted.

"It won't be the same without you there." Caleb said softly.

I blushed and looked away from him, not really sure what to say.

I jumped slightly as Ethan quickly stood up and left the room. I frowned after him. I really couldn't seem to figure him out.