Russian Roulette

I rarely found myself bored at work but today was the exception. It seemed that Pittsburgh was managing to keep their bones and muscles in tact. I saw that Elias was scrubbing in on a partial face reconstruction so I headed up to the gallery to watch.

“You made it, want some popcorn?” Matt asks. I shake my head and look down. Elias looked focused and I was proud of my friend the plastic surgeon.

“How long have they been at this?” I ask.

“Like five hours. Still gotta ways to go. By the way you’re really rocking the nose cast.”

“Shut up,” I say shoving him. In reality I had two giant black eyes and a large white nose cast on my face and it wasn’t flattering.

“So I’m going out with this peds nurse tonight, where should I take her?”

“You’ve resorted to stalking your prey in peds? That pretty low dude,” I say smiling.

“I was there for a consult,” he says in a matter of fact tone.

“Don’t the nurses talk? How do they not know that you’re dating all of them?”

“I don’t know but I’m screwed once they do start talking.” My phone buzzes and I see that I have a text from Geno.

Geno:
Halloween plans?

Me:
Nope. Why?

Geno:
Team party. You and Audrina come?

Me:
Sounds fun

“Guess who’s going to the Penguins Halloween party?”

“Not fair. You should be proud of me though, I didn’t fan girl when you brought Geno in.”

“I’m so proud,” I say while rolling my eyes.

“So are you and Geno together now?” he asks.

“No we’re friends.”

“You’re going to do that? You know you’re going to end up together in the end, why wait?”

“It doesn’t work like that.” I snap.

“Okay, okay.” Tired of our conversation I focus my attention to the surgery in front of me.

I was at Beau’s house watching some important football game with the rest of the guys. I was having a hard time lately and I didn’t know why. The toxic element of my life was gone so why didn’t I feel better? I excuse myself to the washroom and stare at my reflection in the mirror. Memories of that night come flooding back and I grip the counter. I still remember his green eyes, the cruel smile on his lips, the smell of whiskey on his breath and the death grip he had on my wrists. Tears have escaped and I wipe the away hastily. I leave the bathroom and head to the front door to make a clean getaway. Just as I’m about to get into my car, I hear Geno call my name.

“You leave?” he asks.

“I’m not feeling well,” I tell him.

“You crying?” he asks concerned.

“I gotta go.”

“I help. I make it better.”

“No Geno you can’t. Stop wasting your time on me and find some other lost cause to fix,” I say harshly. He looks taken aback but I get in my car anyway and drive off without looking back.

I had spent the next few weeks hating myself for being so cruel to Geno. In the long run it was what’s best for him but it still didn’t make me feel any better.

“You better hurry up and get dressed!” Audrina calls from her room. James had invited her and I to the Penguins Halloween party. Selfishly I agreed to go so that I could see Geno. I get my costume on and do my hair and walk to Audrina’s room.

“I was going to call you a nerd for choosing a Matrix character but you’re brilliant. You look so hot!” Audrina exclaims. I was wearing a black latex body suit and my hair was gelled behind my ears.

“It would have been better if I had a Neo but whatever. Independent woman over here,” I say evenly and help Audrina get in her gypsy costume. We drive to the venue and I put my sunglasses on over my nose cast. We walk in and everyone turns to stare at me and I suddenly feel awkward so I walk to the bar where Sidney and James are waiting.

“Let me guess. Trinity from the Matrix?” Sidney asks smiling.

“Bingo. And you’re Rocky?” I ask. He nods his head and I smile.

“And James you are a Nascar driver?” I say observing his costume.

“Two out of two not bad. Audrina what are you?” James asks.

“A gypsy obviously,” she laughs. Audrina and James get lost in their own little world leaving me and Sidney feeling awkward. We make idle small talk and four people dressed up as KISS come walking up to us.

“Quinn you made it!” Beau says hugging me.

“I did. A+ costumes boys,” I say smiling. I look around for Geno but I can’t find him anywhere. Sidney takes me around introducing me to everyone and I’m happy I have him to hang out with. I start to feel warm so I go out the back door for some air. The door opens and Audrina appears with a worried look on her face.

“Hey buddy you okay?” she asks.

“Yeah just needed some air. Have you seen Geno?” I ask.

“Not yet. Are you nervous about seeing him?”

“I don’t know. I feel all over the place but I know that I want to see him. I’m not sure he’ll even talk to me though.”

“Well you’ll never know unless try.” We walk inside and I see Sidney and Beau talking to someone. I walk up and see Geno dressed as a vampire with his arm around a blonde woman.

“Quinn this Geno’s girlfriend Oksana,” Sidney says awkwardly.

Notes

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