50. Chase
Chase
“Ithink I’m going to shit my pants,” I tell Logan as we round the final corner before making our way to the conference room where our futures will be decided.
Logan’s hand finds mine, and he squeezes.
“Whatever happens, we’re in this together, and that’s all that matters.”
I nod once, and then we’re standing in front of the door.
Unable to move, Logan drops my hand and pushes the door open. I feel the loss immediately, but I know this isn’t the time nor the place for PDA.
Dr. Porter remains seated, but Dr. Kelley stands to greet us—because she has manners unlike the asshole leaning back in the chair as if this meeting were totally inconsequential.
I guess, to him, it is.
There’s another man in the room that I don’t recognize, but I feel Logan jolt with shock next to me, so I guess he does.
“Dr. Matthews, Mr. Kirkland, thank you for joining us,” Dr. Kelley says.
I clasp her hand and shake firmly, conveying a confidence I don’t feel.
“Please have a seat.”
Logan and I sit next to each other, but leave the seat directly next to Dr. Porter vacant. I swear he smirks.
Fucker.
“Okay, let’s dive right in, shall we?” she asks.
“First, I want to congratulate you both on such a heroic feat while you were in the Caribbean. It briefly made headlines here. Dr. Matthews, getting epi into a vein in three-minute intervals while your helicopter is plummeting toward Earth is not something many physicians I know would be capable of.”
“Thank you.”
“And Mr. Kirkland, I believe it’s safe to say that your flying prowess saved everyone’s lives that day. Troubleshooting in the blink of an eye like that is remarkable.”
Logan nods, but stays quiet as Dr. Kelley continues.
“We’ve asked David Masterson to join us today. As the CEO of Boston Memorial and the one who let Logan go, he needs to be a part of the negotiations.”
“What negotiations?” Logan asks, making Dr. Porter join the conversation.
“I want you to come back and fly for us.”
“Why me? Surely there are lots of pilots willing to relocate to this area.”
“Because you show grit. You have a dislike of Administration’s bullshit,” Declan says, cutting his eyes toward David, “and you get the job done.”
“How is my decision tied to Chase’s options?” Logan asks.
Declan smiles and steeples his fingers.
“Well, the decision to allow Chase to jump ship in the middle of a rotation belongs to me, but considering your use of the term boyfriend during your interview, I assume Chase’s happiness is tied directly to you.
Everything is about power, Mr. Kirkland.
And right now, I have power over your future, but you have power over his, hence the negotiation. ”
“This still doesn’t make sense,” Logan says. “Why me?”
Dropping his voice and leaning forward, Declan cuts his eyes at the two people across the table before continuing.
“You flew with my brother, Deacon, out in Montana. Four years ago, he called to tell me you were coming and asked me to keep an eye on you. I informed him of your recent termination, and he made me promise to get your job back. Said something about you finally finding happiness, and while I frankly don’t give a shit about that, I do give a shit about letting my baby brother down. ”
“You’re Deacon’s brother?!” Logan screeches.
“I am,” Declan says stoically, but his eyes soften, and I swear to God it’s the first sign of emotion I’ve ever seen from the man.
“So that’s why you were so interested in me at New Year’s.”
Declan nods.
“It’s a small world,” he deadpans, his mask sliding back into place. “Now, what do we have to do to make you come back? Name your terms.”
Logan and I share a glance.
“He’s not giving up his gig with the Coast Guard,” I declare before Logan can argue. “He can do a lot of good for them.”
“But it’s contract work, so who knows how long I’ll be with them,” he adds. “I want to set my schedule six months in advance. I want day-shift only.” Looking at me while talking to them, he says, “My priorities have shifted and my evenings belong to my family.”
Me. He’s talking about me. My heart swells in my chest.
“I want total control over when I accept a call vs when I don’t, and I sure as hell don’t ever want to be grounded over fuel costs again,” he declares, gaining speed.
“Done,” Declan says.
David looks bewildered. “Now, hold on just a second.”
But Dr. Porter does not, in fact, hold on.
“David,” he says, addressing the hospital CEO by his first name.
Dude’s got some giant balls, I’ll give him that.
“I make as much money for this hospital as Cain Rosemont, and if he’s taught me anything, which I begrudgingly admit, it’s that you need us.
Since Life Flight retrieves my trauma patients.
I need someone willing to do whatever it takes to get them to me while they still have a fighting chance.
Someone who doesn’t cower under bureaucratic bullshit or Mother Nature’s temper tantrums. Mr. Kirkland has proven he’s willing to rage against both, making him the man I want for the job.
Now, hire him back and agree to the terms, or perhaps I’ll see if Mass General is looking to expand their trauma center. ”
“Blackmail, Dr. Porter? That seems beneath you,” David sneers.
“Does it?” Declan replies calmly.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, David finally sighs in agreement.
Once he does, Dr. Porter rises.
“Excellent doing business with you all. Sarah, Dr. Matthews comes with my highest recommendation. I’ll have the letter sent over first thing in the morning.” Swinging his eyes to me, Declan says, “Perhaps you’ll be on time for her.”
And then he’s gone.
“Dr. Matthews, it’s an honor to have you join us at Dana-Farber. I must ask one more time if you’re certain this is where you want to be? I’m sure you’re aware that changing residencies once can be overlooked, but changing a specialty twice could significantly impact your options moving forward.”
I nod, unable to hide my grin.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m aware. Pediatric oncology is where I should have been from the start. I’m excited to get started, and I promise I’ll do everything I can to make up for the time I’ve lost.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
Over the next hour, I sign paperwork with Sarah at one end of the table while Logan does the same with David at the other. After reading each line meticulously, we place our final signatures on the documents.
Mine came with a massive pay increase, and Logan now has two sources of income. Things are certainly looking up.
As we exit the conference room, Logan wastes no time taking my hand.
“Let’s grab a bite to eat and then give the happiest goodbye to our favorite patient.”