“Come in!” Someone is here, thank God, and I do as I was invited to, and step inside.
I walk into the full room and look around. There are athletes and multiple trainers in here, and I have no idea who I should even start with. “Who is the head trainer here?”
“That would be me,” a middle-aged, balding man answers from the far side of the room. “How can I help you?”
“I’m Dr. Nathan Alexander, orthopedic surgeon. I was treating one of your athletes and I was hoping we could follow up?”
His brows furrow in confusion and he nods his head. “Come into my office.” He starts for an open door and I follow him, closing it behind me.
“So you’re here to talk about an athlete?” He takes a seat at his desk and gestures for me to do the same.
“I am. I know I shouldn’t be here, it goes against so many rules, but I wanted to make sure she is okay. Her departure from the hospital was a bit sudden.”
“Ah, you must be talking about Emily McCarthy?”
I’m surprised he knows who I’m here about off the top of his head, but maybe this is a good thing for me. “Yes, sir. I can’t disclose any more information, though. I hope you understand.”
“I do, Dr. Alexander. I have to be honest, I’m a little surprised to be hearing from you today.”
“Why is that?”
“She emailed me this morning and asked if she could come in this afternoon to talk. I had been waiting for your orders, or the PT’s, to come through so we could start following up with her rehab, but they never came, most obviously because she also admitted she just left the hospital without being discharged.”
She told him she left without permission? Did she tell him why? “What time are you meeting with Emily?” It’s the only question I can legally ask without violating privacy anymore than I already have.
He looks up at the clock on the wall to my left. “In about an hour.”
“Would you mind if I wait and talk to her with you? I’d love to make sure we are all on the same page.” I have to keep this cool, if he doesn’t know what happened, I can’t give anything away until it is absolutely necessary.
“Absolutely, I think that would be great. It’s not often I get to talk directly to the surgeons. Please feel free to hang out in here or walk around the facility while you wait, our house is your house, so to speak.”
I rise and reach out to shake his hand. “Thank you, I think I will.”
****
I walk out of the training room and athletic facility seeing red. I got the truth. I got the whole story from Emily McCarthy, and I don’t know if I’ve ever been angrier in my life.
She didn’t just lie, she fucked up immensely, and because of her I am at risk, the hospital is at risk, and things may blow up when Emily goes in to share her side.
And they should.
I get in my car and take a few moments to collect myself, trying to breathe and take the edge off. But I can’t.
She has ruined everything.
Everything.
Thirty-Seven
Nate
I sit in the same conference room we all gathered in six days ago. It’s been six days since everything got turned upside fucking down. And now we are all back.
This time, though, Emily McCarthy, her coach, her parents—who are finally back from their vacation—and Dee are all present, too. As is my lawyer.
After our conversation yesterday afternoon, I went home and called Sue, told her everything. I gave her Emily’s side, as she gave it to me, and told her she should reach out to set up a time to meet with Emily, herself, and legal.
She couldn’t believe what I was saying, but she followed through, and she did it quickly. Apparently the potential for a wrongful termination lawsuit is just as bad to the hospital as a malpractice one.
Dee is sitting across from me, and she refuses to meet my eyes. Her makeup is on today, it looks flawless, but it doesn’t hide the fear, hurt, or defeat reflected in her eyes. Not from me at least.
When the conference room door opens, we all look up, watching April walk in.
“I’m here. Sorry, I didn’t see my pa—” She looks around the room, spotting Emily, her family, and my attorney and her face pales. “What’s going on?” She tries to laugh it off, but nobody else joins her.
“Please sit, Miss Johnson,” I say.
Sue and the board assured me I could start this meeting, and I’m going to. April does as she’s told and takes the last remaining seat at the table. “Dr. Alexander?”
It takes everything I have to not shout at her, but I have to remain professional. Even though it’s because of her everything has been ruined. “Well, Miss Johnson, after our conversation the other day, I was still a little confused about some things, so I looked into them for myself. Though I shouldn’t have violated Miss McCarthy’s privacy, I took it upon myself to track down her address in an attempt to get all the facts so I could make things right.”
“Oh,” April says, swallowing hard, her demeanor shifting from lightness to irritation almost immediately.
I glance toward Dee, and her eyes are wide, but she doesn’t move, nor does she look at me. “I think you’ll be interested in knowing Miss McCarthy has refuted your entire story from the day she left the hospital. She has informed me, the board, her parents, and our legal team what actually occurred. She said while Miss Parker was a little harsh, it was never once said she couldn’t heal. In fact,” I look Dee’s direction when I say the next part, “Miss Parker tried to encourage her to work harder, to believe in herself, because there was a chance Emily could make a full recovery. Miss Parker showed Emily McCarthy tough love and nothing else.” I chose my words carefully; knowing those were the exact words Dee told me Emily needed our last night together.
It's with those words Dee finally looks up at me and meets my eyes. I expect anger, fury even. I expect the same fiery defiance she’s always had to shine through, but it doesn’t. Not even close. All that’s looking back at me is hurt and betrayal. And it cuts me to my fucking core.
“I… I didn’t… I mean…” April tries to find words, and we all let her. She’s only going to bury herself further, and at this point, I’m more than fine with it. “I simply must have misunderstood what I heard.” April sits up straighter, speaking as though she is in disbelief we could be accusing her of anything, or even believe she did anything wrong.
“Is that so?” I can’t believe she’s still fucking lying to us. “You said after Miss Parker’s outburst Emily left? Is that right?”
April looks at me, knowing she’s been beat, a silent fury I have never seen from her flaring in her eyes. “Yes. She left after Dee Parker spoke with her.” The way she says Dee’s name has me climbing toward boiling point. The disdain and hatred is dripping from every word out of April’s mouth.
“And after you did, correct?” I rise from my seat and lean over the table, continuing in a louder, angrier tone, “Did Emily McCarthy not leave after you stepped into her room and told her everything Miss Parker said had been a lie? Did you not tell her Cassidee Parker was wrong, she had no hope for recovery, and Miss Parker had told you as much in the hallway?” By the time I’m done, I’m shouting, and everyone in the room is watching in surprised silence.
“Dr. Alexander,” Sue says loudly, getting my attention. “Sit down, please. Let Miss Johnson answer.”
April takes the bait and stands, smacking her palms on the table, and shouting back, “Yes! Okay. Yes, she left after I spoke to her. I needed to get the perfect fucking Cassidee Parker off the floor and out of this hospital! So I took the opportunity I had and I ran with it.” She glares at Dee, looking at her as though she wishes she could reach across the table and wipe Dee out on her own.
Everyone in the room gasps, and it’s then April realizes what she has done.
“Please, tell us more,” Dr. Nordman says. “Why did you want Miss Parker out of the hospital? What could you possibly gain from that?”
“Him. I cou
ld’ve gained him!” She points a shaky finger at me. “He picked that, that woman over me. She is not better than me! She didn’t deserve him more than me!”
I can’t take my eyes off Dee as April spouts all of her bullshit. Every angry, threatening word, every accusation and admittance has Dee flinching. She’s fighting off tears, putting on a strong front while she’s here. All of this, her losing her career, was over me. Over one woman’s obsession and sick mental claim she had with me.
April finally stops spewing words out, and I look to her one more time. “And the phone call you supposedly overheard? Why would you throw that in?”
“I heard you that night at Luke’s Steakhouse. You told her about how your last girlfriend betrayed you by going after the famous Xavier Alexander. I’m not stupid, the second I heard her say his name I knew I could use it. It was even easier than I’d hoped it would be.” She shrugs and smiles at me, almost sadistically. “As you can tell, Nate. She can’t be trusted.”
Jesus Christ. How long has she been planning all of this?
“No, April, that’s you. You can’t be trusted, and on the advice of my legal counsel, I am going to have to fire you. Effective immediately.”
Sue follows up after me, adding, “In light of everything we have heard today, you will also be losing all privileges in our hospital, security will escort you from here to the locker room, so you can pack your stuff, and then you will be guided off the premises.”
April looks from me, to Sue, to Dr. Nordman, then finally to Dee. “You bitch! You don’t deserve him! He’s mine! Don’t you get it? He is mine, but you brainwashed him! You ruined everything for me!”
“That’s enough, April!” I scream at her. “Do as you’ve been asked and leave, before you are forced out.”
Security walks in right on time and steps up behind her.
“Gentleman,” our board director says, “please make sure Miss Johnson empties her locker, then get her badge and escort her out. If she doesn’t go peacefully, skip the locker room. We will mail her belongings to her.”
The security guards give their understanding and give her the chance to leave on her own, quietly. She doesn’t take the opportunity to earn back some of her dignity, though. She starts screaming and ranting about Dee, the hospital, Emily, and everything she can. We’ve all heard enough, as has security, and they take a fighting April by the arms, leading her out of the room. We can hear her shouting all the way down the hall, undoubtedly causing a scene all the way to the exit.
That’s not my concern, though.
“Emily, Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy?” I address them calmly. “I am so sorry you had to witness that. I am truly embarrassed. On behalf on my practice, and this hospital, I want to express my deepest apologies your daughter got caught up in the crosshairs of this mess. I can assure you it will be made right.”
Our director clears his throat. “All costs from Emily’s stay will be covered in full. You have our sincerest apologies, as well.”
Emily speaks up at her parents’ encouragement. “Thank you. I hope you all will reconsider firing Dee, too. She has been nothing but kind and amazing to me, even when I was awful to her. She really did nothing wrong. Everything she said to me was something I needed to hear.”
Sue speaks up next, “We will take your request under consideration.”
I glance at Dee again, then my attorney, who nods me on. “What can we do to make this right for you all? April Johnson was under my employment, and as such, her actions are a direct reflection on me and she was my responsibility.”
“We will be filing suit,” Emily’s father says. “We like you all, and appreciate how well you’ve treated our daughter, but after what Miss Johnson pulled, the way she spoke to our Emily… We feel we have no other choice.”
“I understand.” I look to my attorney, seeking his approval to continue. His nod is all I need, then I continue, “In lieu of a long, drawn out lawsuit, we would like to see if we can come to an agreement with the hospital legal team, my attorney, and you three today. Would you be willing to discuss settlement without involving the legal system further?”
Emily’s parents discuss, then her father answers for all of them, “Yes. We would agree to that.”
“Wonderful,” Sue exclaims. “The rest of us will leave you all to talk. Again, on behalf of Memorial Hospital, we apologize for the hurt and trouble this has caused you all.”
With her words finished, Sue, Miranda, and Dee all rise, exiting the conference room so we can get down to money talks.
I can’t let her go without speaking to her first, though, so I ask for a moment before we get started and walk out of the conference room, not long after them.
“Dee,” I say when I spot her speaking to Miranda. “Can I have a quick word?”
Miranda looks between us, then tells Dee they will be talking later, leaving us to talk.
****
Dee
My heart stutters and skips in my chest when Miranda walks away, and I turn to face him. “What?”
“I am so, so sorry.” He reaches out for me, and I take a step back so he can’t make contact. “I should’ve spoken to you. I shouldn’t have assumed what I was hearing was true.”
No, he shouldn’t have. But he did. He assumed and trusted the worst about me, rather than trusting me. “It’s done and over with, Dr. Alexander. You’re off the hook. I can find a job now and not see my career go up in flames. Don’t worry about it.”
“Gorgeous, please…” He nearly begs, and it pisses me off.
Does he think all it will take is a small apology and him using my pet name to fix this, to right the ways he has wronged me? “Don’t you dare call me that. I am Miss Parker to you, are we clear?”
His eyes widen, and he smirks. “There she is, my fighter.”
“I’m not your anything. You don’t just get to apologize to me, and have that be it. You accused me of cheating. You believed the worst about me without even bothering to ask, or let me explain myself. You showed up at my apartment to hurt me, beat me down more, and walked away before I could even have a chance to explain. Everything you were afraid of me doing to you—betraying you, giving you reason to doubt me, hurting you—you did to me, tenfold. I owe you nothing. I am done.”
His jaw drops, and he doesn’t even try to argue with me, he just takes a step back. “So you won’t let me explain, try to make it right?”
“Did you allow me the same opportunity you’re asking for?”
He shakes his head no.
“Then I guess you have your answer. Have a great fucking life, Dr. Alexander.” I throw his words back at him and walk down the hall, not even bothering to wipe away the tears that begin to fall the minute my back is to him.
****
“What happened up there?” Bridget asks, when I get down to the ER. She pulls me into a hug the second she sees me and rubs my back. “Are you in more trouble?”
I shake my head against her and hug her tight. “I think I’ll be getting my job back, maybe.”
She lets go of me and steps back, opening the door to an empty room so we can duck inside and speak privately. “That’s great news.”
“It is,” I agree. “Dr. Alexander tracked down Emily, got the whole story from her. April is fired now, they dragged her out kicking and screaming.”
“Holy shit.” Bridget leads me to the empty bed and we both sit down. “Did you talk to him?”
“He tried talking to me. He acted as though everything was fine and forgotten now, as though he didn’t rip my heart out and trust everyone over me.”
“Oh Dee, I’m so sorry. Can you forgive him? He made a mistake, but so did you, right? You two are pretty great together.” She reaches forward and sets a hand on my leg in a comforting way.
“I can’t, Bridget. I told him to have a great fucking life, just like he told me.” I shrug and wipe my eyes. “It felt good, and it sucked.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want? Maybe you two can t
alk again in a while?” I can tell she really wants us to try, she sees her and Simon working, and thinks we can, too. But I just don’t see it.
“I can’t. I’m sorry. I know you think I should hear him out, but he devastated me. I can’t risk letting him take anymore than he already has of my heart or my soul.”
“You did what you had to for you then.” She squeezes me again. “Did he even mention his brother?”
“Nope. Not at all. And neither did I. I walked away from him.”
“Wow. Will you accept the position back here, if you get it?” She pulls her hand back and cocks her head to the side, waiting for me to respond.
It’s a great question, one I don’t have an answer to yet.
I just don’t know if I can come back here and work. Nobody had my back, nobody. How can I work for a place that acts first and asks questions later? I understand why they had to do it, but I still don’t know if I can be here. Not after everything. “I don’t know yet.”
She nods and responds, “I understand. What are you going to do now?”
“Today or in general?”
“Both. You need to celebrate being vindicated at least.”
“I don’t feel much like celebrating anything.” I shrug my shoulder and look down at my hand. “I’ll probably go home and finish a bottle of wine. Maybe cry some more.”
“Oh no you don’t. We will go to dinner and talk about how stupid men are. Okay?”
I give her my best attempt at a smile and agree. “Only for you, Bridget. Only for you.”
“I’ll take it. I have to get back to work. We will meet for Chinese food later on, eat your misery away.”
Thirty-Eight
Nate
I step out of the conference room two hours later, a settlement amount reached and a plan for Emily McCarthy to continue seeing me through her recovery process agreed upon.
Doctor Desirable: A Hero Club Novel Page 27
