33. Alexis
The bass is bumping when we arrive. In fact, the music is so loud, I’m not sure how Jason or Steven plan on talking to each other.
A wave of nerves rush down my spine. My volume on my on-call phone is all the way up, and I have the vibrations turned on. I should be fine, but I can”t help but be anxious about missing a call. Normally, I just stay home and anxiously watch my phone. I know many doctors just go about their lives when on-call, but I”ve never been able to do that.
It takes us nearly two hours to find Steven. By the time we found him, my blood was boiling. Who tells a client to meet them at a party and then not make it super easy to find each other to chat? To make it worse, we found him on a couch with two women on his lap, petting his head. Pig.
When he sees Jason, he stands and gives us an oily smile. Maybe it’s because I know Jason doesn’t like him that much, but I instantly don’t like him.
”Jason!” He has to yell over the music. ”It”s been too long. What”s up, man?”
They do a handshake-back slap combo, and I can”t help but notice that Steven is ignoring me. Probably on purpose. I barely resist rolling my eyes.
”I”ve been ok, man. This is my girlfriend, Dr. Alexis Masters.” He pulls me into his side, with a hard edge to his voice. I guess he noticed Steven purposefully not look my way too. The dick gives me a polite nod and then turns his attention back to Jason. Ass.
“So, you’ve been dodging my calls. We really need to get you signed for your next movie. Did you look at the one I sent you this afternoon? I really think Primogenesis Fallout is perfect for you. The perfect mix of action and feelings.” I almost snort. What kind of a movie title is that? Is primogenesis even a word?
“I don’t know, man; I don’t love the script. I actually—”
Steven immediately cuts him off. “Jason. As your agent, I gotta say, you’re taking too long to pick a project. So, what if the script isn’t perfect? You’re Jason Adams, have them change it. The director and producers really want you. They won’t take no for an answer.”
To my horror, I see Jason begin to waffle.
“Maybe if I met with them? I’m still not convinced.”
What the hell is he doing? We came here to tell Steven to fuck right off, not to let him convince Jason to do a new project. I’m opening my mouth to say something when the music suddenly goes quiet, and I hear it.
Fuck. Me.
My on-call phone is blaring.
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.
I pull it out and nearly puke when I see that I have eight missed calls. How did I not feel it go off? Oh my god.
I don’t even look at Jason before I take off, aiming for the front door. I’m fuming, not only at him but also at myself. I knew I shouldn’t have come to this fucking party.
As soon as I’m outside, I answer the call.
“Hello, Dr. Masters speaking.”
“It’s Nurse Halloway. We have a multi-car accident coming in. It sounds like one patient is coming in with a partial amputation. Dr. Jordan is asking how long it’s going to take for you to get here?”
“Shit, I’m on my way. Ten minutes, fifteen tops. Please let Dr. Jordan know I’ll be there asap.”
I’m hanging up when Jason joins me, keys already in hand.
He opens his mouth but snaps it shut when I hold my hand up. “Don’t. I don’t want to hear anything right now. Just get me to the hospital. We’ll talk later.”
Thankfully, he listens, and we spend the car ride in silence.
I sit there the whole time trying to reign in my feelings. I need a clear head right now; the night sounds like it’s going to be a long one.
I don’t even say anything to him when he pulls up to the hospital entrance. I just jump out and run in. Dr. Jordan is the lead attending for the ER. If I have any chance of becoming an attending here, I may have just blown it. Shit. Fuck!
***
Hours later, I feel dead on my feet. Dr. Jordan gave me a look when I entered the ER but kept any comments to herself since we had patients to treat. At around seven this morning, my phone pinged with a meeting request for a disciplinary meeting tomorrow. I’m so screwed.
The whole night, when I wasn’t treating patients, all I could think about was that my dad was right. I let myself get swept up in our relationship and ignored my duty to this job, to my patients. And now I might lose it.
I don’t answer any of Jason’s texts or phone calls. Instead, I order a car and spend the whole ride trying not to cry. Pretty sure the driver wished they hadn’t accepted my ride request.
I’m dreading what I have to do next.