Xavier Smith
1:39 PM
Grady Hospital, Atlanta, GA
——
Bzzt
I peaked into the front pocket of my scrubs to check my phone for a moment. The notification was still unreadable, so I just closed it completely.
One of our new LPNs was approaching me with a clipboard, Joan, I think was her name.
"Hi Dr. Smith, have you seen Ms. Catherine anywhere? I need her to check Mr. Finley's charts."
I slid my hand underneath her's to grab the translucent clip board, and read through the chart carefully. "It seems normal, good job! Also, I think Cathy might be in the cafe, but I'm not sure."
She smiled and tentatively passed by me to continue her search. I went back towards the break room to grab a small cup of coffee before I went down to my car.
On the way there, I finally checked the notification from earlier... "The hell..?" passed through my lips.
It was a text from Sidney, and then one from Jayce.
sidddd👅😚
Nail date with Lex next Friday u wanna come???
470-xxx-xxxx
look xay im not tryna start nothing but...
I sent a quick "yes" to Sydney before holding my thumb over Jayce's text in thought. Just from the few words that were displayed it sounded like another half-assed apology, and I was getting tired of those.
I think.
After another beat of consideration, my finger slipped and clicked onto the message. A huge black bubble filled my phone.
An overwhelmingly long message more-or-less about the two of us. Per usual.
It read: "look xay i'm not tryna start nothing but im fr tired of this. Im sorry. for how i acted in the beginning and how im acting now. i think i was so enticed by the idea of having u that i never stopped to realize i already got u. going abt our entire relationship incorrectly n shi. i'm sorry fr.
i think i love you.
like beyond everything that i said when we first met i genuinely feel like i have love for u. your spirit, work ethic, and overall mindset is something i want. and u have all of that.
I was made to love you Xay...
lmk how u feel abt all this and ill set us up the rest of the way, Dr. Smith."
"Damn." I was beyond confused. I appreciate the sentiment, but love? I can't comprehend all this while running off a 2 coffees and a cold Mcdonald's meal.
Staring at the message one more time , I decided not to respond right now. Truly not in the proper headspace for all of...this.
—•—
Jayce Ramirez
2:46 PM
——
Jayce has been on edge since he sent a horrifyingly specific and detailed message to a certain Nurse Practitioner.
A very long message abundant with emotions galore. His face has been burning red since he clicked the little arrow button. Ethan and Miguel were not being helpful.
They've been rolling on their backs squawking like pelicans for a solid 5 minutes after he showed them the stuffed thread of messages.
"This is so fucking embarrassing bru." Jayce groaned while sliding a hand down his face. He was so extremely flustered. This is horrible.
His brother and best friend seemed to finally quiet down a little, but the second they saw each other's faces they died again. Clutching their bellies and rolling around some more .
Jayce pushed off the couch and stormed out of the lively living room. "Can't stand yall..." The continued laughter grew even louder.
He slid his bedroom door opened, trudged towards the four-post bed, and fell into it with a deep groan. "I cannot believe I sent that bullshi..." he mumbled even deeper into the plush bed sheets.
As he was attempting to morph into the mattress, his phone started to ring violently. Jayce sprung up and snatched the device from up under his pillow: eyes flying over the screen.
"Oh my God." He could feel the blush take over his face.
He fully pushed himself off the bed and ran his hands down his face nervously. "Oh my God..." he gushed with an even more nervous whisper.
Jayce's fingers slid across the phone before he could even think about his following actions.
A beat of silence before, "Hello?".
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God!
"Hel—Hi—yea—hi, Xavier. Hi, how are you?" The words rushed out of his mouth like a waterfall.
The other man softly laughed, absolute music to Jayce's ears, and replied solemnly, " I've been better, Jayce, but you know," he trailed off, "I saw your text. Love? That's how we coming?" another soft laugh.
Red slapped itself onto Jayce's face harshly, "I-I-um...Yea! I love you. I know it's been rough and allat, but I still do. We just met like two, three months ago, but with you...it feels like a lifetime.".
The silence was deafening.
Then, a deep sigh came from the other line. "Love is a step that I'm not willing to take—yet, but I think we can work towards that." the man wisely spoke.
"Today! Can we start today? At your house? No—wait at my house! I'll pick you up right now." He rushed out enthusiastically.
"Ok damn. Happy ass...I'm heading home right now actually, so if you wanna come over Stella and I will be waiting...bye Jayce." Three dismissive bleeps later and Jayce was running into his bathroom to shower.
——
Xavier was elbow-deep in a bowl of chips with his leg kicked over his couch when the doorbell rang. He sat the bowl on the glass table and carefully slid off the couch.
Stella's head lifted in curiosity, but she continued to lick her paws snidely.
He peaked into the peephole, smirked at the nervous man in front of him, then twisted the door open.
"Hi." Jayce stood there in a pair of low-waisted grey sweats and a cropped white tee.
Xavier moved to the side and allowed him to come into the sleek condo. "Hey. Lemme get my shoes real quick, and put Stella in her travel bag for me."
"Oh? She's coming too?" Jayce asked with a quirked brow towards the elegant feline.
The nurse's head jerked towards Jayce, "Can she not come? If not then we can just stay here, or I'll ask my—"
"No, no it's okay she can come, I just wasn't expecting it. I'll get her ready real quick pa, calm down." He laughed while calling Stella over.
Xavier watched him lure the cat into her travel bag before turning around to slide hit fluffy crocs onto his feet.
The two men prepared everything and walked out of the door in sync. When they reached the elevator further down the hall, they stood there in silence as the elevator slid open.
——
smb sent me a dm and ts made me remember i can write again... anyways life has been lifing so yea, but ayeee im back! this chapter is more so a filler !
ALSO
i changed miguel's face claim ! (lwk forgot he was afro-latino tew...)
YOU ARE READING
Belonging
RomanceJayce stood closely in front of Xavier. "Lemme treat you right."He said while licking his lips seductively. Xavier sighed and looked down at his shoes, "No". The younger man's hands traveled up his waist before moving their bodies closer to one anot...
