Bending the Rules Read Online Free PDF Page B

system and we're going to have to put him under if he doesn't calm down." Dr. Lewis gave me a stern look.
    I nodded and moved toward the man's head. "Hey there. I'm Dana. Look at me, okay. We're here to help you. You need to just breathe through your nose."
    "I want out of here," the guy mumbled as blood dripped down from his mouth.
    I cupped his face softly in my hands and rubbed back and forth with my thumbs. "I know you do. Just stay right here and I'll talk with you while they get you comfortable. Everything is going to be fine. I promise."
    "I'm scared." Tears formed around the sides of his eyes.
    "I know you are. It's perfectly normal to be scared." I gave him a warm smile and continued to massage the side of his face with my thumbs. "Everyone is doing great though, especially you. Were you headed into work this morning or to see someone you love?"
    "My mom." He took a shaky breath and closed his eyes as his voice broke. "My mom was in the car with me. Can you check on her? She wasn't moving when-"
    "Hey. I'll check on her for you, but you have to stay right here with me. Do you have a brother or a sister or something?" I brushed his hair back and stayed close to him as the medical team moved around both of us.
    "A sister. Sandy. Her name is Sandy."
    "That's a beautiful name. Is she older or younger than you?" I listened to his response and kept him talking until his eyes fluttered a few times and he finally let the medicine do its job. I laid his head down on the bed carefully and backed up. "Where do you need me now?"
    Dr. Lewis let out a long exhale and shook his head. "We're all good. You did a great job, kiddo."
    "Thank you. I'm going up to my floor but if you need me…"
    "You'd be the first one I called." He winked at me as I turned to walk out of the room. "And Dana..."
    "Yes, sir?" I glanced over my shoulder.
    "Come talk to me, okay? I've heard whispers around the hospital that you might be more interested in pushing your career a little farther. There's a pretty cool opportunity that might be opening up in May next year when you graduate."
    "Okay. Thank you, Dr. Lewis." I walked out of the room, covered in blood and feeling like a million dollars. Regardless of what else was going on in my life, I was right where I was supposed to be. Helping people was my calling. It was my life.
     
    *
     
    "Wow. I swear you always end up at the right place at the right time." Jackie pulled her hair into a high ponytail and gave me a cheeky grin.
    I dipped my spoon into my frozen yogurt and glanced around at all the mall-goers before turning my attention back to her.
    "Are we really going to New York this weekend?"
    "Yes." She tilted her head a little. "You're not backing out. I already got the tickets."
    "And where are we staying when we get there?" I already knew the answer.
    "At Parks' apartment. It's the top floor of some ritzy apartment building right near Times Square."
    I shook my head and took a quick bite of my yogurt. "You're not going to be completely butt-hurt if I stay with my best friend from high school, right? She lives in the city. I'll hang out with you when you want me to, but you know you're just going for a bootie call."
    She snorted. "I don't care if you stay with your friend or me. I just want you to go with me up there. I hate flying by myself."
    "All right. I'll call her tonight and see if she has extra room for me. If not, I'll just stay with you guys." I hated the thought, but Jackie was one of my only friends. She was a nutcase for thinking she could wrangle a guy like Parks, but I wasn't going to leave her on her own to do it.
    "We'll behave." She wagged her eyebrows at me.
    "Doubtful." I licked my spoon. "I hate to be the one to piss in your cheerios, but do you really think this is a good idea? You know this guy is a total player. You were crushed last week by the way he was ignoring you. Remember?"
    She nodded and ran her hand over the top of her hair. "I know. I just can't back off yet. He's