Chapter 4
4
Her arm stung. Even after three days. Aubrey was going to have to check it again. The amoxicillin script Guthrie had chased her down at the hospital the next afternoon and given her wasn’t quite working. She’d given it several days, but she knew all the signs.
Her arm was infected. And not getting better. She just needed to confirm it. But twisting her arm in that type of movement just wasn’t going to happen. And while Genny could definitely tell her the basics of what it looked like, her friend couldn’t prescribe a stronger medication.
That meant… Dr. Guthrie “Gorgeous” Hiller or Dr. “Hot Hands” Fields—as they were known around certain circles at the hospital. They already knew what had happened—and they wouldn’t ask questions. Hopefully.
She considered asking her boss, Caine.
She seriously considered it… except that he would have questions about what had happened in the first place. And that beautiful man had a known temper. The last thing she needed was Caine Alvaro coming down hard on the man responsible. That would just set the fires of gossip flying in every direction.
The hospital would be a nightmare for her after that, especially if people thought Caine was riding to her rescue specifically. She had to be able to handle the job, perceived to be able to, or she would lose every bit of authority and respect she had. And with the rumors going around about her and Caine being more than just friends—and him a married man and head of the hospital—no, she had to be really careful right now. The rumors were getting worse.
The latest was that Caine’s wife, Nikkie Jean, was getting a restraining order—against Aubrey. Aubrey had apparently been stalking Caine lately.
Aubrey had fifteen minutes left on her lunch break. She would track down either Dr. Hiller or Dr. Fields. That was probably her best bet. They already knew what had happened. And so far, had kept that knowledge to themselves.
But neither of those men were anywhere to be found. She had to settle for finding a quiet moment in the women’s restroom in front of the mirror. She’d track one of them down later. It wouldn’t take them long to look at her arm and prescribe an injection of something a bit stronger. But the thought of asking someone for help…
It was a hang-up, and she knew it.
Aubrey was used to doing what needed to be done. To taking care of herself—and Ayla.
She had her shirt half-off and was trying to twist around when the restroom door opened.
Her breath caught. Mandy and her pals were known to frequent this hall restroom. But the one at the other end of the ED was far busier. She’d weighed her options, and this one was the safest.
It didn’t feel so safe now.
She tensed, seeing the woman who stood there. “Dr. Alvaro.”
“Please, you are my husband’s baby-sitter-slash-dragon tamer when I’m not with him. And I know what people are saying lately. You deserve medals and Kevlar armor for dealing with that. And probably occasionally, a shrine built in your honor. I do know my man very well, after all. It’s Nikkie Jean.”
Nikkie Jean Alvaro owned the entire hospital. And people were gossiping about her, Caine—and Aubrey right now. She had been afraid Nikkie Jean would blame her. Apparently not.
Aubrey relaxed a little. It made things… awkward. But… “Nikkie Jean. Please call me Aubrey. I am so sorry for… the rumors.”
She liked this woman. It was hard not to. Nikkie Jean was all of five feet tall, and pure nonstop energy. She always looked a bit out of place next to her six-foot-six tank of a husband. The Alvaros adored each other. Aubrey loved watching how gentle he was with his wife and five children.
It gave her hope. There were good men out there. Caine Alvaro was living proof they did exist. He was big, and frightening, and a little wild-looking, but that man was one of the most compassionate she had ever met. The kindest. And willing to help anyone who needed it. In an instant.
“I am used to being gossiped about. Remember the Snotty Garlic articles when we were first getting together? Those were seriously ridiculous. Makes what is being said about Caine here seem like nothing. It looks like you need a hand.” Nikkie Jean didn’t wait for permission. Aubrey didn’t even try to protest. This was her ultimate employer, after all. And… everyone knew Nikkie Jean’s history—the woman understood trauma on a personal level. Just like Aubrey did. Nikkie Jean studied her arm quickly. “Ouch. Those look bad. I hope you reported the person who did this.”
Aubrey shook her head. “It would be too complicated right now.”
“Your choice, and I totally respect that. But I hate to tell you this, I think two are infected. And a third is getting started.”
“Amoxicillin isn’t working. I think I may be a bit resistant to it.”
“I hate when that happens; I’ve been having trouble with cephalexin lately myself. I’ll have a nurse catch you with a dose of that new stuff Caine has been talking about. You good with trying it?” Nikkie Jean asked. “Being our very own BCGH guinea pig? I don’t think anyone has actually prescribed it here yet. FCGH has, though. Yesterday.” A look of concern went over Nikkie Jean’s face then. “Caine’s aunt, actually. We’re starting to see good results, and it got FDA approval last month.”
Caine’s aunt, a cop with the TSP, had been injured in a hostage situation almost two weeks ago. Aubrey had heard from Caine that she was still fighting a bacterial infection that was particularly resistant to antibiotics—MRAB. He’d discussed the antibiotic with her before, as well.
“I’m good with it.” She’d reviewed the literature recently. She was okay testing herself. And Caine was very cautious with new meds—he wouldn’t allow them to be tested at BCGH if he didn’t think they were safe. “And thank you. I was having trouble seeing the back laceration.”
“No problem. Anytime. We ladies have to stick together in this world. Some of the men… can be real buttheads. And the women—even worse, I swear.”
“No kidding. Some, but not all. I keep reminding myself of that.”
A particular redheaded man popped into her head. Chad Fields had been all about checking on Genny that next morning. Genny’s ankle hadn’t been seriously injured; everyone had known that. But the man was hovering.
Aubrey also suspected he was on the hunt. Genny was his prey. Genny hadn’t decided if she was going to get caught yet or not.
Aubrey finished up in the restroom about the same time as the other woman.
Nikkie Jean made it to the door first. Then she turned back to Aubrey, a serious expression on her face. Aubrey tensed.
“I’m not going to ask questions, but… I know someone has hurt you. Recently… and before. You might consider visiting W4HAV. You’ll find others like us there. A support system. Resources for women at every stage of the journey of healing. Something to keep in mind. We all can use a friend now and then. If that’s not something you are interested in yet… and you want someone to talk to… I’ll listen. And it will remain just between us, okay?”
Aubrey just nodded, overwhelmed. The woman was… sincere. It was written on her face. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“We all have secrets. But sometimes we need to get them out there. So we can begin to heal. Remember that. If I hadn’t, I’d probably not be here today.”
But letting go of her secrets was something Aubrey had never been able to do. She didn’t know that she ever would.