Chapter 8
Adrian
I yank open the car door and slide into the driver’s seat, gripping the wheel tightly, refusing to look back.
Every article she writes about me is full of bullshit, twisting the truth to fit whatever story she’s after. And now she wants my side? Yeah, right. She doesn’t actually care… This is just another opportunity for her to build her name, to add another dramatic piece to her collection.
I rub my temples as exhaustion settles deep in my bones. It’s been a long day, and I don’t have the patience for this. What I do need to figure out is how the hell I’m going to get the hospital the money for the CT.
Starting the engine, I pull out of the parking lot, driving slow. But as I pass the hospital entrance, a flicker of movement catches my eye.
She’s still there.
Standing beneath the streetlamp, arms crossed, shifting on her feet. She’s watching me. Waiting.
I snap my gaze back to the road. Not my problem.
The town is quiet at this time of day, the roads mostly empty except for the occasional car pulling into a driveway. I take the familiar route to Keith’s; the tires rolling over the asphalt, my mind already drifting to the article I read earlier. Another piece from Dr. Whisperer.
A missing jewelry scandal.
Ridiculous.
But then there was another one about me.
It was my first damn day back, and the fact that I’m under a microscope pisses me off more than it should.
I don’t need anyone waiting for me to screw up.
I already have enough pressure on me not to mess up and get dismissed from this hospital.
If I don’t succeed in Pulse Point, my career as a doctor is over.
By the time I pull into the driveway, my shoulders are tight, my head pounding.
Keith’s car is here. And he’s not alone.
Through the back window, I catch a glimpse of him on the porch, talking to an older guy, both dressed in polos and caps. Golf, I’m guessing. Keith had an early shift, so he must’ve wrapped up before me and gone straight to the course.
I’m not in the mood to face anyone else right now. I was hoping to shower, eat, and relax.
I turn off the engine and step out, stretching my stiff muscles before heading inside. As I walk up the steps, I hear their low laughter, the clinking of beer bottles. I could join them, but honestly, I don’t have it in me.
I drop my briefcase inside the door and go straight to my room, peeling off my shirt as I go. A quick shower, dinner, then sleep. I need to be up early for another run before my seven a.m. shift. Maybe I’ll find the gym this weekend so I can hit the weights again. It’s been too long.
By the time I emerge from the shower, dressed in sweats and feeling somewhat human again, I head toward the kitchen, hoping Keith’s friend is gone. But as soon as I round the corner, I spot him standing next to Keith, nursing a drink.
Keith looks up from his beer, grinning. “Didn’t even hear you come in.”
He gestures toward the guy beside him, an older man with short graying hair and deep lines around his eyes that speak of years of laughter and hard work. “This is my buddy, Adam. We squeezed in a round of golf; first time catching up in months.”
Adam tips his beer toward me. “Man, I don’t know how you do it. The hospital’s got to be brutal. At least on the course, we only suffer from Keith’s bad swings.”
“Harsh.” Keith grins. “But fair.”
I shake my head, beginning to fill up a pot with water to put on the stove. I need something quick, something easy. “You guys eaten yet?”
Keith stretches. “Nah, we got carried away. I can help if you want.”
“You don’t have to,” I say, already opening the pasta.
Adam laughs. “Listen to you two. You sound like an old married couple.”
Keith shoots him a playful look. “Don’t be jealous just because you have no one keeping you company.”
Adam raises his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. Speaking of company, what’s the plan for Thanksgiving?”
Thanksgiving.
The reminder tightens my chest.
I haven’t given it much thought after my encounter with Russell. Sure, I’ve seen the ridiculous turkey decorations around the hospital, but I haven’t really felt the holiday coming. Thanksgiving’s on Thursday, and I’m off that day. And honestly? I don’t have a plan.
I glance at Keith. “What are your plans?”
He shrugs, sipping his beer. “Haven’t decided yet. Could be fun to do something, though.”
I nod absentmindedly, stirring the pasta, but my thoughts drift elsewhere.
To the hospital.
To the eyes watching me.
To her, still standing in the cold, waiting.
“I think we’ll probably just have dinner to ourselves, right?” I glance at Keith, waiting for confirmation.
He shrugs. “Sounds like it.” Then he turns to Adam. “You want to join us?”
Adam shakes his head and offers a half-smile. “I’d love to, but I can’t. Plan to see my mom.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Keith leans back in his chair. “How’s she doing?”
A hint of amusement plays on Adam’s lips. “Well, you know those women in the retirement village? They gossip more than the damn bulletin.”
I chuckle, resting my forearms on the counter. “Yeah, Keith gave me the grand tour of the town the other day. We drove past the retirement home, but I haven’t been inside yet. I’m guessing that Keith, you’d see a lot of patients that live there?”
Keith nods. “Well, my clinic does, so you’ll probably get to know them soon enough.”
I glance back at Adam. “Are they doing anything special for Thanksgiving?”
“Yeah, they try to make a big thing of it. Decorations, music, even a bit of dancing if they can get them to. Of course, there are always a couple of grumps who complain about the noise, but isn’t that just life?”
Keith smiles. “True.”
“You sure you don’t want to stay for dinner?” I ask, checking the pasta boiling on the stove, making sure there’s enough for all three of us.
Adam stretches his arms over his head, then nods. “Why not? Another hour won’t kill me. Besides, it’s nice having someone cook for me.”
I grab some sauce and stir it absentmindedly as my thoughts drift back to Thanksgiving.
If it’s just going to be me and Keith, maybe I should pick up a turkey.
It’s not something I ever really did much before because I worked.
Thanksgiving wasn’t a big deal to me, but here, with Keith, it might be nice.
A quiet tradition.
A new tradition.
I could pick up groceries on Tuesday and hope the stores aren’t cleaned out. I’ll have to run it by Keith, but ultimately, I think we’ll do a turkey dinner. Maybe watch some football, have a decent meal, just…relax.
By the time we’ve eaten and Adam heads out, Keith joins me in cleaning up. He’s unusually quiet as he dries a dish, then sets it aside.
I still, gripping the edge of the sink as the memory of Amelia showing up at work plays on my mind. “What else do you know about Amelia?”
“She’s a nice young lady.” Keith continues before I can answer. “Big family. Her mom was doing well until recently, and now Amelia’s just trying to get back on her feet.”
I snort, shaking my head. “She might be a ‘nice young lady’ to you, but to me? Not so much.”
Keith’s eyebrows shoot up, the corner of his mouth twitching. “And why’s that?”
“She cornered me at the hospital earlier. Wanted my side of the story.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Amelia’s the sweetest thing. I don’t agree with the article she wrote, but I still believe she’s not out to get you.”
I give him a deadpan stare. “You’re kidding me, right? Amelia’s been nothing but difficult.” Aside from the time involving Russell, but I’m not telling him about that.
“She’s doing her job,” Keith says, unfazed. “She works her ass off to support her family. Always has. She’s got a hell of a work ethic. Kinda like someone else I know.” He winks.
I roll my eyes. “If she really wanted my side, I might consider it… if I trusted her not to twist my words. But I don’t. People already whisper about me. I don’t need them talking about me any more than they already do.”
Keith sighs, setting down the towel. “Fair enough. But sometimes, getting your side out there isn’t the worst idea.”
It’s tempting… clearing the air, setting the record straight. But what would that change? She’s already made up her mind.
“If I could trust her, sure,” I admit. “But I don’t. I just want to move on from it.”
Keith studies me for a moment, then nods. “I get it.”
There’s a beat of silence before he changes the subject. “So, how was your first day?”
It’s a simple question, but it catches me off guard.
No one’s really asked me that before… except Amelia today.
It feels weird. But also kind of nice. Especially coming from someone who understands the industry.
I lean against the counter, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “Surprisingly good.”
Keith nods slowly.
“I mean, I was nervous, obviously, but people seemed decent, for the most part. A few whispers and looks, but overall, it was alright. Met lots of new people. The place looks different but smells the same. Even though it feels familiar, it’s not like the city, you know?
We don’t have everything at our fingertips. ”
Keith nods. “Glad it wasn’t terrible. What’s your schedule looking like this week?”
“Mornings.” Which is a nice way to start a new job. But I am on a mix of days, afternoons, and nights over the first six weeks.
“Perfect. I’ll be around, so if you need a sounding board, I can help.”
I nod in appreciation, but my mind is already shifting to something else. “There’s an issue, though.”
“What’s that?”
“They need to fix the CT scanner. Ideally, they need a new one too. But apparently, I can’t buy one for the hospital.”
“Yeah, they won’t let you. I haven’t looked at the contract myself, but I’ve heard it’s not allowed.”
I shake my head. “I should double-check. Maybe there’s a way around it.”
Keith shrugs. “Maybe. But if they’ve been managing without one, they’ll survive a little longer while they save up.”
I grip the counter, my jaw tightening. “That’s not the point, Keith. There’s no CT scanner in town. That could cost someone their life.”
His expression sobers.
I drag a hand through my hair at the memories. Flashes of that day with my dad slam into me. “I want to have the right tools to save as many lives as possible.”
Keith doesn’t say anything for a moment. Then he sighs, voice quieter. “I know.”
The exhaustion of the day presses down on me again, but this time, it’s heavier.
Keith watches me carefully, then nods. After a moment, he clears his throat and says, “Well, if you do find a way to buy them one, maybe hold off until after Thanksgiving. Otherwise, you’ll end up the guy who donated the scanner and getting stuck with turkey duty.”
I snort and shake my head. “Right. Because that’s the real tragedy here.”
“Hey, dry turkey is no joke. I had to suffer through it once, and I still have nightmares.”
I laugh. “I’ll make sure to brine ours properly, then.”
Keith grins. “Good. I don’t want to choke to death before we figure out how to get that scanner.”