Chapter 18 #2
“That’s none of your business,” I reply, standing up and preparing to finish up my final patient for the morning.
“Actually, it is…if you were seeing someone before we ended our relationship.” His tone is snarky and accusing, and it immediately puts me on edge.
“I’d never do that,” I state pointedly. “I’m not you.”
He tsks. “Don’t play the victim, Oaklee. You were just as much a problem in our relationship.”
“You’re right, I was. I kept going back to you, and I gave up valuable time in my life to be with you. Fortunately, that’s something I don’t have to ever worry about again.”
He opens his mouth and takes a step forward, prepared to say something that will most likely be insulting or degrading. It wouldn’t be the first time. He plays dirty and fights to win before eventually switching gears and turning on the charm in apology.
“You are finished with the patient in Room 3, correct? I’m sure she’s more than ready to leave. Do you have any orders for me?” I ask, biting back the hatred I feel for this man.
He lifts his chin defiantly, hating that I’m calling him out in regards to our positions.
In his eyes, I’m the nurse and supposed to take the orders, while he—the almighty doctor—gives them.
“I’d like Mrs. Vargas to make an appointment with a cardiologist. We can send over a referral to the heart center at the hospital, but she also requested a written referral. ”
I nod, turning my attention to my computer, essentially dismissing him.
At my computer, I pull up the document I need and fill in her personal information.
I do it quickly, considering the older woman has been waiting patiently in her exam room for longer than I prefer.
I sense Lance’s presence behind me, but I refuse to acknowledge him.
Instead, I keep my focus on what’s in front of me, and the moment I have the referral filled out and sent, I print a copy and prepare to go to the exam room.
Lance is still there, blocking the exit.
“Excuse me,” I state with a touch of condescension in my tone.
Okay, so not so much a touch as a full-blown attitude.
“Of course, nurse.” He most definitely uses my title as an insult, the slimy fucker.
Instead of dropping him where he stands and risking my license, I move quickly past and hurry to the room.
I knock rapidly and open the door, apologizing for the wait.
Once I’ve wrapped up the appointment, I walk Mrs. Vargas to the front and tell her to call our office if she has any issues with her referral.
“Thank you, dear,” she replies, making the last few steps herself to the counter to check out.
I turn around, making sure to keep my gaze directly in front of me as I slip inside the exam room and prepare it for the next patient. Just as I’m finished wiping down the bed with a disinfectant wipe, I spin to leave and stop in my tracks.
There stands Lance.
Again.
“You need to move,” I tell him, stepping forward and preparing to leave.
“You need to stop this little game.”
“What?” I ask, my jaw practically dropping to the ground. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I know you’re still mad about what you saw when you stopped over at my apartment, but—”
“I’m not still mad,” I blurt out, interrupting his statement. “I realized really quick I wasn’t mad. I was done. I was tired of being your afterthought, Lance. I won’t do it again. We have to remain professional, but if you can’t do that, I’ll have to go to Fiona and request one of us be moved.”
His smile is cocky, the arrogance ebbing from his pores. “And who do you think they’ll move, huh? You, the little nurse, or me the medical doctor?”
“I honestly don’t care. They can move me to wherever necessary, but something tells me you’d crawl out of whatever little rathole you come from every day and show up anyway.
I can do this, but not if you’re unwilling to cooperate.
This is your last chance. You don’t talk to me at all, except for what information I need to do my job.
If you can’t abide by these ground rules, then I’ll have to go to Dina and changes will be made. ”
He narrows his eyes, hands on his hips. “You think you’re so smart.”
“I’m just a nurse, trying to do my job, Dr. Williams.”
“As you wish, Oaklee,” he states, turning on his heel and exiting the room.
I stand here for a few minutes, trying to calm my racing heart. I wish I knew what I ever saw in that dickweasel. I guess I’m just as stupid as he suggests, considering how many times I went back to him when he apologized. I’m the idiot here, that’s for sure.
The back entrance door opens, and I hear voices.
Once the room is cleaned and ready, I leave the space and head to the nurses’ station to finish charting.
I don’t even look into Dr. Houston’s office, where I hear Lance and Dr. Liu engaging in a friendly discussion.
Allison is standing at the cabinet, putting her purse away.
“Hey. Mario said he’d deliver down to us as soon as our orders are ready,” she says, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and popping off the lid. “Want one?”
“Give me one of those Mountain Dews,” I request.
Her eyes widen before she reaches for the can. “Really? That bad of a day?”
I shrug, popping the tab and taking a long drink. “It’s fine. Nothing I can’t handle.”
Allison sighs. “I wish you’d let me just go to Dina and switch with you.”
“No,” I insist, shaking my head. “I will not be a problem child.”
“You’re hardly a problem child when your ex-boyfriend is being an insufferable wanker.”
I snort at her comment and smile. “That he is, isn’t he?” I don’t even care that he can probably hear me across the hall.
Fuck him.
“I’m serious,” she maintains.
“I know you are, and I appreciate it. Truly. But I’m fine. I will get through this, one day at a time. It won’t be long, and his time here will be over and done.”
“You know that’s not really how it works, right?” she asks.
“Of course, but that’s what I’m gonna tell myself for now. In the meantime, I’m going to keep my head in the game and my eye on the prize.”
Allison glances at the flower and smiles. “Let me guess, the prize just so happens to be a tall, muscular construction worker who knows how to use his tongue and what’s between his legs?”
I shrug, unable to fight my grin. “Sounds like a nice prize to me.”
“Oh, I agree one-thousand-percent. I hope you take full advantage of that prize.”
I turn my attention to my computer and make the notes needed in the last chart. Dr. Liu stops by to say goodbye, heading to the next clinic she will be seeing patients at. Thankfully, Lance stays in Doc’s office, and I’m relieved to get a short reprieve from the all-knowing, watchful eyes of my ex.
Glancing up, I spot the pink lily in the vase and smile.
It’s gorgeous, on the verge of its full bloom splendor.
I’m actually quite grateful he didn’t send a rose.
The asshole across the hall used to send them when he’d fuck up—which, looking back now, seemed to be a lot.
What Cade sent was unique and special, just like him.
I grab my phone and prepare to type out a thank you text.
However, as my fingers hover over the screen, a different idea forms. Not an impersonal message sent through the phone, but something else.
Something to really catch his attention and show him how much I appreciate his thoughtful little gifts.
Cade Miller isn’t going to know what hit him.
I smile to myself as my plan is made.
“Pizza’s here!”