Peer Reviewed (Peers & Players #1)
Prologue
Today
Jo
“ B ack row it is,” I whisper to myself, entering the lecture auditorium for our first faculty meeting of the new school year. The last bit of summer sunburn on my shoulders screams bloody murder as I slide myself into an inadequately padded chair. Starting my second year as an instructor at Midwest Medical College of Illinois feels more comfortable, but still anxiety inducing. Nothing could’ve prepared me for the whirlwind transition to the real world.
If you had asked first grade Jo what she wanted to be when she grew up, the immediate answer would’ve been a teacher. That all changed following my college experience, and somehow I ended up in medical school. If you think about it, and I often do, I took a $300,000 detour to end up right back where I wanted to be. Granted, I am exceptionally lucky to have been hired on at an Instructor level right after fellowship. With little to no research experience, it was a right place at the right time scenario. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful, but the crippling student loan debt doesn’t necessarily help my anxiety.
Dr. Marciano taps on the podium microphone and a screech echoes through the auditorium. He clears his throat and looks around the room as he begins. “Alright folks, it’s about time to get this show on the road.” Chatter around the room continues completely uninterrupted.
I lean down to pull my notepad out of my shoulder bag when a voice stops me in my tracks and bombards all my senses.
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
I’d know that voice anywhere.
“Dr. Carello.” It’s deeper than I remember. More weathered.
I turn my head painfully slowly over my shoulder and meet his gaze. Green. The pure, fresh green of a new leaf on your monstera plant. My eyes are green, but mostly the kind of green that looks pretty only after you get done sobbing, which surprisingly, I have yet to do today.
It’s still early.
I clear my throat quietly, attempting to swallow the lump that immediately forms in the back of my throat. “Dr. Britlyn.”
He tips his head towards the chair next to mine with a furrow in his brow and I nod.
“Back row it is.”