Speak To Me: The Easton Brothers

Chapter 2-Stephanie Stevens

(Stephanie)

Looking in the mirror, I straightened my bright red scrub top with little tiny santa's on it before checking myself out as I couldn't help but sigh.

Why the hell am I like this? I mean, it's always the same whenever I go to check on Sammy. His dad watches me from the corner, scrutinizing my every move and making sure I don't do anything to f**k up.

I get it. He's a single dad, and his ex pretty much screwed him over, but I thought he would melt a little by now. Not like I really care, it would just make my job a lot easier if I didn't feel those piercing blue eyes burning into me every second I'm there.

That must be why I feel so nervous. I am not exactly qualified to be Sammy's doctor. In fact, I could get into some serious trouble for treating a patient without my degree, but dad says this is a special case. Truthfully, there's something different about Sammy that I feel this weird connection to. And no, it's not his dad...

Of course, Mr. Easton is attractive. I might not have an active s*x life currently, but I'm not freaking dead down there. Even if he is one of the hottest guys I've ever seen, he is still incredibly rude and completely insufferable to be around. The only reason I'm still taking care of Sammy is for Sammy's sake, nothing else. He has come a long way from the malnourished little boy I first saw all those months ago, and I can't help but feel protective over him.

After gathering my curly black hair into my hands, I twisted it around a few times before clipping it up and out of my face. Thanks to my puerto rican mother, I have the most unruly thick curles that I finally seem to be learning how to take care of.

It only took me 24 years...

Walking over towards my dining room table, I reached my hand out and grabbed the small wrapped box I planned on giving to Sammy.

I know we still have a few weeks before Christmas, but I wanted to give him something he can look forward to. Because knowing his dad, I'm sure the Christmas spirit is quite dull over there.

I won't lie though, when it comes to Sammy, I have a feeling he would do anything for his son.

Staring down at the box, I couldn't help but smile half-heartedly. I wonder what it would be like to have a father so attentive like that.

Don't get me wrong, I love my father. I know he is a kind and generous man. It just felt like a lot of times he gave that generosity to other people. I guess they needed it more than I did, but as a young girl, it was hard to wrap my head around.

I remember he once told me.

"Stephanie, one day you are going to take over this practice, and then you will realize why I couldn't make it to your performance tonight. The life I ended up saving was worth the sacrifice, don't you think, sweetheart?" He asked in the softest tone, making me nod as I knew if I thought otherwise, that would be selfish of me, right?

My dad was always the martyr. Sacrificing his precious family time so others could spend another day with their own.

But I don't know if I could be that selfless. If I had children, I wouldn't want to miss a single moment of their lives. That's why every single day I put on these scrubs, I feel like a fraud. I'm not sure this is the type of life I want to live, not after seeing the sleepless nights my dad had to endure after losing another patient. Or the strain it put on him and mom's marriage.

They made it through all of that, and even without my dad, I had a life some would dream of. I guess I just always dreamed of having something... more.

But this is what I am destined to do. I was told that since I was a small girl. I would grow up and become a doctor just like my father. After going to school for five years, I have about another five to go until I finally achieve that goal.

Reaching over, I grabbed my puffy cream colored jacket and slipped it on. That's when I grabbed my purse next and tucked the present for Sammy under my arm.

"Time to get this over with." I mumbled, ready to head to my father's private practice. I have been meeting Sammy there more recently, considering they haven't been wanting to do house calls as often.

After exiting my apartment, I turned around and slipped the key into the lock, twisting it until I heard that familiar click.

That's when I whipped around and froze, cursing under my breath.

"Just my luck." I grumbled, seeing the creepy ass neighbor who always seems to be in the hallway step out of his apartment from across the hallway.

"Heading off to work?" The man asked, making me smile softly before nodding and walking towards the elevator.

Don't get me wrong, Mr. Creeper isn't exactly unattractive or anything. I mean, he seems to be in his mid thirties, obviously works a high paying job, dresses nicely... he just rubs me the wrong way for some reason.

I watched as he lifted his hand before brushing back his light brown hair and flexing his muscles in the process.

"So, I wanted to ask-" Oh god, here we go.

"If you have some free time this week, maybe you can come over to my place. We could open a bottle of wine-" He began while motioning his hand out as the elevator doors opened up, offering for me to step on first.

I swear my day just keeps getting better and better...

"There's this new Netflix documentary on infectious diseases."

Excuse me, what?! Yeah, that sounds so romantic. I swear he is just saying that because he sees I work in the healthcare industry.

"Sorry, we are pretty swamped this week. Flu season and all." I said politely, making sure to step as far into the corner as possible.

"Well, we don't have to watch anything. I mean, we're both adults. Attractive ones, I might add. And I won't lie. I feel a connection here, Stephanie." He began, making my skin crawl from the way he said my name.

"I have a feeling you sense it too." He suddenly stated, cornering me in the elevator before lifting his hand and placing it on the wall behind me.

I swear whatever cologne he was wearing was burning my freaking eyes because he put so much of it on.

"I-"

"I know you're shy, babe. I have been watching you for a while now."

Babe?! Okay, Mr. Creeper has just reached a whole new level of creep.

It's time to shut this down.

"Excuse me... what was your name again?" I began, making his eyes blink rapidly.

"Nate."

"Well, Nate, whatever attraction you are feeling here, it isn't mutual. And it's not that I'm shy, it's just that I'm just not interested in you or whatever this is. So if you will please excuse me." I said, thanking god the doors opened right after my little speech as I quickly ducked under this creeps arm and scurried out of the elevator.

I know it's been months since I've gotten any, but I'm not quite that desperate yet... Sadly, I have a feeling this won't be the end of Mr. Creeper.

Stepping out into the lobby, I felt relief flood through me as I saw my favorite security guard Lou standing by the door. The whole lobby was covered from floor to ceiling in Christmas decorations, and I won't lie, I love it.

Christmas was definitely my favorite holiday.

"Good morning, Miss Stephanie. You look lovely today." The older man said, making me smile brightly as I walked straight towards him.

"You don't look too bad yourself there, Lou." I respond, noticing the creep from the elevator stalk past me grumpily. I could feel his eyes burning into me, but I chose to avoid it.

"How's everything been since you started those treatments?" I asked, glancing down at Lou's hands. He suffers from bad arthritis and this time of year is brutal for him when the temperatures drop.

"Much better. They seem to be working so far."

Lou was in his early sixties and has worked here since I moved into the building three years ago. I know for a fact that he has been here a lot longer than that. He has been nothing but welcoming since the first moment I stepped through those doors, and has become a good friend.

I know his wife Rita died about ten years ago. At least, that's what he told me. He said he doesn't have any kids either, so I do feel bad for Lou a little. But then again, I am all alone, too. So maybe that's why we get along so well. He probably feels just as bad for me as I do him.

"Make sure to keep bundled up! It's freezing out there." He said, opening the door for me as a gust of icy wind blew past us. He wasn't wrong...

"Thanks, Lou!"

Since the practice was a few blocks away, I always opted to take the bus. There's no point in driving when you live in the middle of the city.

I slipped my hands into my pockets, trying to bundle myself up as best as I could before walking towards the bus stop a few feet away.

My dad hates that I ride the bus, but after living here for so long, I have grown used to the chaos that things don't even phase me anymore.

Just as I glanced down at my phone, realizing the bus must be running late, I swear I heard my name being called from somewhere not too far away.

"Miss Stephanie! Over here!" A small voice yelled, making me glance up as I saw a wide-eyed Grant Easton staring back at me. Then my gaze drifted to Sammy, who excitedly waved his arm out of the window from the backseat next to his dad.

I lifted my arm, waving back at him as they were now stopped at a red light a few feet away, making things really awkward.

"We are coming to see you at the doctors!" Sammy yelled happily, making me laugh.

"I can't wait! I have a feeling you are going to beat me there though." I teased, avoiding Grant's cold gaze.

"Why is Miss Stephanie standing on the side of the street, dad?" I could hear Sammy ask, making me look away in embarrassment.

Whatever Grant said, I didn't hear, but Sammy's response, I heard clear as freaking day.

"Well... she can ride with us!"

Wait, what?