Flutter

by Olivia Evans

  Dylan shook his head and pulled her against his chest, unable to look her in the eye. “Everything's going to be fine,” he answered, praying he hadn’t just told her a lie.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Dark circles shadowed Dylan’s eyes as he sat across from Dr. Edmonds. He smoothed his hand down his shirt, noticing how wrinkled it was. He’d stayed with Presley until she’d fallen asleep, then spent the rest of the night and into the early morning talking with his grandmother and Cody’s aunt, Jessica. Cody’s father wasn’t in jail yet, but with Zach’s statement, along with the photographs, it was enough for a judge to approve a motion for a new trial. In the meantime, Cody would remain at Hilltop.

  “Did you sleep at all?”

  Dylan shook his head. “I’ve had a lot on my mind.” When he wasn’t worrying about Presley, he worried about what would happen to his career. As much as he said he didn’t care if they pulled his license, it wasn’t true. He loved his job, and he truly believed he could make a difference if given the chance.

  “I suppose you have.” Dr. Edmonds let out a tired sigh and folded his hands on top of the desk. “Why didn’t you come to me?”

  “I’m not even sure where to start with that question. I thought she was dead, Dr. Edmonds,” Dylan said, leaning forward in his chair. “For two years, I thought she was dead. Then I walked into Hilltop, and there she was. But she wasn’t the girl I remembered. She was doped up out of her mind and didn’t even recognize my face. Her parents are powerful people, as I’m sure you know. I was afraid if I said anything, if I told you about her, they would move her in the middle of the night and I’d lose her all over again.”

  “You have to know you’ve violated the ethics code concerning doctor/patient relationships. It’s a zero-tolerance policy that ends with the loss of your medical license. I can’t turn my back on that.”

  Dylan pulled in a deep breath as he prepared to lay his cards on the table. While he’d spent much of the night talking with Jessica about Cody’s situation, she’d been more than happy to offer advice on how to handle his predicament with Presley. It was a long shot, but he didn’t have a whole lot of options.

  “I haven’t violated the doctor/patient ethics code because I’m not her doctor. I’ve never held a session, written prescriptions, or received any payments for Presley’s treatment. As a matter of fact, Dr. Sanders has documentation of explicit control over all aspects of her treatment, barring any outside interference without his consent. Aside from failing to divulge my prior history with Presley, I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  Dr. Edmonds’s brow rose in surprise. “And her medications? There is documentation of you disbursing medication to the patients, including Presley. How do you explain her renewed sense of awareness without tampering?”

  Dylan smiled as he leaned back in his chair and shrugged. “It’s a miracle.”

  “Horseshit,” Dr. Edmonds chuckled. “I’m fairly certain Dr. Sanders would disagree with you.”

  “Dr. Sanders has changed her medication more times than I can count since I started working at Hilltop. He even admitted more than once that Presley’s response to certain medications was an anomaly. Who’s to say the latest cocktail he prescribed didn’t cause the sudden awareness? Never mind that he doesn’t have a whole lot of credibility now. I don’t see anyone believing anything he says once they have a look at those files.”

  A knowing smile pulled at the corner of Dr. Edmonds’s mouth. “I’m impressed with how well you used your time while visiting with Ms. Landers. She’s a very savvy woman who seems to know her way around a loophole.”

  The lightness that had appeared slipped from the room as Dylan’s expression became serious once more. “I’m aware that you know exactly what I’m doing. But, Dr. Edmonds, I’m not the bad guy. I kept my history with Presley from you, and for that, I’m sorry. But everything beyond that?” Dylan shook his head. “I don’t regret any of it because it exposed Dr. Sanders for all the wrong he’s done. You at least have to admit that.”

  Dr. Edmonds nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face as he rocked in his chair. “You’re right. Dr. Sanders was a horrible doctor and all-around terrible human being. Without your interference, we might never have learned the truth about Cody or Presley. For that, I commend you,” he said pulling in a deep breath. “But I can’t allow you to continue working at Hilltop.”

  Dylan’s heart dropped into his stomach as his eyes fell to the floor. He knew he could fight losing his license, but having these kinds of charges brought against him could potentially ruin his career. “I understand.”

  “I’m sorry it has to be this way, but just because you managed to find a loophole doesn’t mean you weren’t in the wrong. And don’t think for one second I believe your theory about the medication, but it would be near impossible to prove, and I have no interest in pursuing it. The rules are in place for a reason, and it doesn’t matter that your intentions were good. In this job, the end cannot justify the means.”

  Dylan wiped his palms over the tops of his thighs and fought the sudden urge to vomit. It was over. His career was done. The room started to spin, the ringing in his ears so loud that he barely caught Dr. Edmonds next words.

  “In this case, however, I feel probation is an appropriate punishment. For the next three months, you will be monitored while at Grace,” Dr. Edmonds continued. Dylan blinked, trying to clear his head. “And you’re welcome to spend as much time as you’d like with Cody and Presley at Hilltop as a visitor if they add you to their visitation lists. I also encourage you to consider joining Presley for some of her sessions. It might be helpful for the both of you to discuss how the past and present have affected you.”

  Dylan shook his head in disbelief. “I’m not fired from Grace?”

  “No, Dr. Walker, you’re not,” he answered with a smile.

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  Dr. Edmonds stood, and Dylan followed suit. “Thank you will suffice,” he said, shaking Dylan’s hand.

  “Of course. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

  “Now,” Dr. Edmonds said with a sigh. “I’m going to head over to Hilltop and speak with Presley regarding her plans for the near future.”

  “She’s not ready to leave Hilltop. She never had a chance to deal with anything. She needs time.”

  “I know.”

  “I’ll cover all her costs. She won’t need to worry about anything.”

  Dr. Edmonds smiled and clapped Dylan on the back as he walked out into the hall. “I know that too. Go home and get some sleep. I’ll make sure Presley and Cody add you to their visitors list. You can turn in your badge and keys when you get there.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Dr. Edmonds started down the hall before stopping and turning back to Dylan. “One more thing. Once Presley leaves Hilltop for good and your residency is complete, perhaps you and I can discuss a position at Hilltop. I think you’d be a valuable asset.”

  “I’d love that.”

  Dr. Edmonds grinned. “Good day, Dr. Walker.”

  “Holy shit,” Dylan exhaled, his heart pounding as he fell against the wall and wound his fingers in his hair. “What the hell just happened?” He looked around the empty hall as he replayed the conversation in his head once more, convinced it had all been a dream. When everything began to sink in, a wide smile spread across his face. “Yes,” he hissed, pumping his fist once before making his way out of the hospital. The drive home passed in a blur, and after filling in his grandmother on the good news, Dylan fell face first onto his bed. He was asleep almost instantly, and for the first time in six years, he finally felt at peace.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The months that followed were a series of highs and lows. Dr. Edmonds met with Presley three times a week, and Dylan always attended at least one of those sessions. It was hard, dragging up the past when all he wanted was to think about the future, but he understood why it was necessary. If he was being honest, he needed the clos
ure too.

  It took six weeks to wean Presley off her cocktail of medications, and even though she sometimes felt a few lingering side effects, her mind was finally clear. She still retained a lot of guilt—for what she’d done, for giving up—but underneath it all, Dylan could see the glimmer of light starting to resurface in her eyes. The way her smile pinched her eyes at the corners and how she would laugh with her whole body.

  “What about this?” Presley asked, motioning toward a picture in one of the dozens of magazines she’d scattered on the table. Dylan had brought them a few weeks earlier under the guise of helping her reconnect with the outside world. They ranged from trashy tabloids to furniture and fashion. She had no idea they were part of a much bigger plan.

  “Dylan?”

  He looked at the picture and shook his head. “It’s obscene.”

  “It’s a watch,” Presley argued.

  “It’s a Rolex. No thirteen-year-old has any business with a Rolex.”

  Presley lifted her brow and smirked. “Didn’t you have a Rolex in middle school?”

  Dylan opened and closed his mouth before narrowing his eyes. “I was also a spoiled rich kid from the Upper East Side. That’s not Cody.”

  Presley sighed and dropped the magazine onto the table before grabbing a new one. “Well, what’s your suggestion?”

  “A library card?” Dylan joked, jerking back just in time to avoid Presley smacking his arm. “What? The kid likes to read.”

  “That’s so lame,” Presley mumbled, pressing the butterfly charm on her necklace to her lips. The sight made Dylan smile. She’d done the same thing back in high school.

  “Are you two still looking for Cody’s going-away present?” Milly asked, joining them at the table.

  Dylan nodded. “Presley wants to give him a Rolex. I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

  “Well, Dylan wants to give him a library card. I don’t think that’s appropriate. I do, however, think it’s lame.”

  Milly laughed quietly and dabbed under her eye. She tried to be discreet, but neither Dylan nor Presley missed it.

  “What’s wrong?” Dylan asked.

  “I’m just going to miss him. Don’t get me wrong, I’m over the moon that he’s being released, but since Dr. Sanders was thrown out on his pompous ass, things have been so much lighter here.”

  Dylan understood. He was going to miss Cody too, but Cody deserved more than to spend his life behind these walls. Luckily, a judge agreed. After reviewing the photos, along with Zach’s statement and medical records, the judge declared it was enough to allow a new trial. Jessica had flown in a team of experts to reexamine the evidence and start building his defense. They’d never lost a case.

  In the meantime, the judge granted Jessica’s request for Cody to be released to her care while continuing outpatient therapy. His father still hadn’t been charged, but everyone was hopeful it was only a matter of time. As far as Dr. Sanders, he would never practice medicine again. The last Dylan heard, he was facing criminal malpractice charges.

  “You’ll still have me,” Dylan said, winking at Milly.

  “Don’t you start that mess with me again. Besides, it won’t be long before you take her away as well. Then you’ll be right back in the doghouse,” Milly retorted. Releasing a heavy sigh, she reached across the table and covered Presley’s hand. “I can’t tell you how it warms my heart to see you smile. You didn’t deserve what they did to you.”

  Presley wiped under her eyes and pulled in a deep breath. “Thank you. If Dylan hadn’t have found me… It’s terrifying to imagine.”

  “Well, I’m still mad that he kept everything from me, but I understand. Even if for a brief time, I worried he was some kind of sexual predator.”

  Dylan and Presley laughed, and after a moment, Milly reluctantly joined them. “I can promise nothing like that will ever happen again.”

  “It better not,” Presley whispered as she pressed her lips to his cheek.

  “Ugh, are they kissing again?” Cody asked, falling into the chair next to Dylan.

  “You’ll understand one day, kid,” Dylan promised, ruffling his hair. “Are you all set?”

  Cody nodded. “Yeah. Aunt Jess will be here soon.” Cody dropped his eyes to the table and pulled in a deep breath. “I’m going to miss you, Dr. Walker.”

  Dylan turned in his chair to face Cody and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. “I’m never more than a phone call or a plane ride away. I’ll always be here if you need me.” Dylan pulled him into a hug. “I’ll miss you too.”

  “I’m sorry we don’t have your going-away present yet, but we’re still working through some things,” Presley said, a soft smile on her face.

  Cody shrugged. “It’s cool. I don’t need anything.”

  Presley held up her finger. “But, if you had a choice between a Rolex or a library card, which would you have picked?”

  “You’re ridiculous,” Dylan laughed. “Ignore her.”

  “Hey,” Presley interjected. “That’s not very nice.”

  “No, it’s okay,” Cody said. “I’ll answer. Let’s see, I would be too scared of losing an expensive watch, so I wouldn’t choose that. But a library membership is free, so I could get that myself.” Looking between Dylan and Presley, Cody shook his head. “You guys are weird.”

  “You take care of yourself,” Milly said as she stood and pulled Cody into a hug.

  “I will.”

  Presley moved around the table, and once Milly released Cody, she took the nurse’s place. “Thank you for everything you did for me,” Presley whispered.

  “Thank you for bringing Dr. Walker here.”

  “I didn’t—”

  “You did,” Cody interrupted. “I know it’s wrong to say this, but if it weren’t for you, Dr. Walker never would’ve ended up here, and I can’t help but be grateful.”

  Presley smiled. “I understand.”

  “Are you ready? Your aunt is here,” Dylan said, putting his arm around Cody’s shoulder.

  “Yeah.”

  Alone, Dylan walked Cody down the hall. It wasn’t until they reached the front of the building that Dylan spoke. “I do have one thing for you.” From his back pocket, Dylan pulled out an envelope and handed it to Cody.

  “What’s this?”

  “It’s an open ticket. You can fly up to visit once all this mess is over.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t mention it. You better go. We’ll talk soon.”

  After one last hug, Dylan turned back toward the building when a familiar voice called his name. “Dr. Walker!”

  Surprise colored Dylan’s face as he turned around. “Zach?”

  A mischievous smile stretched across his face as he nodded. “You did good, Doc.”

  “Where have you been?” Zach hadn’t shown up in weeks, and Dylan had wondered if somehow, he’d integrated as well. It was the goal, after all, but Dylan couldn’t help but feel relieved that Zach was still in there.

  Zach shrugged. “This was Cody’s time. He deserved it.”

  “You’ll take care of him?”

  “That’s my job.” Zach smirked, turning to leave then pausing. “For what it’s worth, you’re going to be a hell of a dad one day.”

  Dylan stood frozen as Zach threw a final wave at him before disappearing once more. “Bye, Dr. Walker!”

  “Bye, Cody,” he whispered.

  “What a wild ride, man,” Joel said, stepping next to Dylan.

  “Jesus,” Dylan exhaled, his eyes wide. “You scared the shit out of me.”

  “Bullshit,” Joel laughed, walking with Dylan as they headed back into the hospital. “You’re not scared of anything. I still can’t believe you got rid of that asshole.”

  Dylan shook his head, still a little dazed when he thought about everything that had transpired. After Dr. Sanders was hauled off, it hadn’t taken long for Joel to show up with a flurry of questions. He seemed more hurt that Dylan hadn’t let him help than anything
else. He was a lot like Milly in that respect. But they’d worked it out and were closer now than ever.

  “How are things with you and Jenny?” Dylan asked, laughing when Joel’s face reddened.

  Joel rubbed his hand over his still short hair and smiled. “Things are good. We have a date tomorrow night.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “Maybe when Presley is better, we can all hang out.”

  Dylan looked at Joel, his face colored with surprise. “That won’t be weird for you? Since she was a patient here?”

  Joel shook his head. “Nah, man. What they did to her…that wasn’t her fault. Besides, I can’t wait to hear the stories she must have about you. That in itself is reason enough to hang out.”

  Dylan laughed and shook Joel’s hand. “Thanks, man,” he said, his voice full of sincerity. “That means a lot to me.”

  With a nod, Joel turned toward the other hallway. “Don’t mention it.”

  As Dylan made his way back to Presley, he felt a sense of relief mixed with anticipation as he thought about the future. Dinners and drinks with friends. Friday night movie dates. He smiled, his stomach fluttering when Presley came into view. Everything was finally going to be the way they’d planned all those years ago.

  “Does it bother you?” Dr. Edmonds asked, his eyes trained on Dylan.

  Dylan shrugged. “A little. She doesn’t need their money.”

  “My money,” Presley interjected. “And it changes nothing. I will never have anything to do with either of them.”

  Dylan sighed. He hated that any part of Presley’s parents touched their lives, but even though he hated to admit it, he understood why she did it. “I know.”

  “And I’m pretty sure your grandmother was the mastermind behind it all anyway,” Presley added, her arms crossed over her chest.

  “I know,” Dylan groaned because she was most likely right. It sounded exactly like something his grandmother would do, one final blow to the Coopers. Just as he’d been instructed, Governor Cooper resigned from office, citing health issues as the reason. It wasn’t entirely a lie; he’d suffered a mild heart attack shortly after returning to New York. Dylan wasn’t sure if it was due to the stress of leaving office or the cashier’s check he handed over to the insurance company. The whole thing had been more than a little shady, but between Jessica and his grandmother, they’d taken care of the transaction quietly. Once again, Dylan was reminded never to underestimate his grandmother.