by Lexy Timms
She walked slowly to the living room and picked up her phone, texting him a quick apology. She added for him to come by the house so they could talk, looked at it for a few minutes and deleted the whole thing. It wouldn't go over well and the chance of him understanding her hangover was nil.
"What am I doing?" She put the phone on the kitchen table and walked to the fridge, pulling out a carton of orange juice and some cold cuts.
She made a quick sandwich and took her plate and the jug of juice to the table, drinking straight from it. A smile lifted her mouth at the horror Simon would experience from her doing it. A chuckle left her and she cringed at the headache that sprung to life violently.
Her phone buzzed and she reached for it, noticing it was a number from the hospital.
Good, hopefully it's Simon.
"Dr. Paulk." Julie forced her most professional voice, but failed miserably.
"Wow. You sound rough. Everything okay?" Elijah.
"Yeah, just a long night. I might have had more wine than I could handle." She chuckled and cringed again.
"Well, be careful. I hope you weren't driving."
"No, father. I wasn't." She smiled and took a big bite of her sandwich.
"I'm calling with great news."
"Oh, yeah? Share. I need it this morning." She set her breakfast down and worked to get the thick white bread out of her teeth.
"Cade stopped by to see me this morning." Elijah's voice was filled with reserve.
Nervousness rolled through Julie, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of the boy telling her chief of staff about any of the things they had been up to lately.
"And..."
"And he's signing with us for his residency. You did it. It's not even been the full three months. Hell, it's not even been more than a week. I'm not sure how you did it, and maybe I don't want to know, but he's ours. Great job, Julie. We'll have to go out and celebrate. This is huge. Huge!"
Her heart dropped at the news. "Yay! I'll be in after a while. Thanks for calling and sharing with me."
"Thank you. I'm beyond impressed. Congrats."
"Thanks." She hung up and shook her head. "Congrats to me on being a cheater myself. I'm not even divorced yet and here I am flirting with a kid in college and letting him get me liquored up. How quickly this happens..."
She finished her food and took a long drink from the container in front of her before texting Simon that they needed to talk.
She sent it before she could delete it. Getting up, she left her mess on the kitchen table and walked to the bathroom, stripping down and trying to figure out how she was going to explain herself to Simon. He needed to know what happened. The very last thing she wanted was for him to hear that she went out to dinner with Cade instead of helping with the surgery she was planned to take on. It was a double whammy and she needed to put it in the softest way possible.
She finished her shower as anticipation tore at her insides. Simon had surely texted back by now, but how the conversation would go was a mystery. Half drying herself, she walked back into the kitchen to find her text the only one between them.
"Odd. Is he in surgery?" She set the phone back down and walked to her bedroom, working through her morning routine and praying like hell that her stomach would settle.
By the time she was ready to go, he had finally replied with nothing more than an 'okay'.
"Awesome," she grumbled and dropped the phone into her purse.
After getting into the car, the speaker system picked up a caller on her phone. The hospital again. Surely Simon.
"Dr. Paulk here." She put on her sunglasses and glanced over her shoulder as she backed the car up.
"Hey there, hottie doctor." Cade's voice was filled with warmth.
"Hi there, intern. What can I do for you?"
"Lots of things actually, but let's start out slow. Update me on how you're feeling."
She rolled her eyes and tried to ignore the pinpricks of excitement at his deep voice. This was bad. Really, really bad. There was a high probability that if Simon didn't save her from herself, she would end up in bed with the guy on the phone. "I feel like shit. How many drinks did you let me have last night?"
"As many as you wanted. I was just there to catch you when you fell."
"Oh yeah? Did I fall?"
"I don't know. You tell me."
Smooth. Too smooth for his own good.
"It's not that easy, Cade. You're aware of that." She paused, but only briefly. "What time is our first procedure?"
"In an hour. Hurry up and get here. I miss you already."
"I am memorable." Julie scoffed and turned the air on, though it was cold outside. Her body ached from the night before and the lack of physical touch she wanted so bad in the midst of her drunkenness.
"I'll say so. I wish you would have let me spend the night with you, though. I could have made you breakfast and washed your back for you." His voice lowered a little.
"Keep it professional, mister. Keep it professional."
He laughed. "Right. Well, in that case, I wanted to let you know that I've signed on to do my residency with you."
"With me? What if I'm not there?"
"I'm thinking you probably will be." He chuckled.
"That's great news. I'll see you shortly, okay? I'm getting into heavy traffic on the freeway."
"Be safe, pretty girl. See you soon."
She pressed the off button and let out a low growl. Pretty girl? Why did him saying it make her feel it? Dangerous. She was knee-deep in shit and about to tumble off the edge of the cliff. Flooring it, she made it to the hospital in record time and walked quickly to Simon's office, grateful to find him sitting at his desk.
His wire-rimmed glasses looked so good on him as he glanced up. He stood, concern brushing across his features as she shut the door and let out a long, painful sigh, closing her eyes and pressing her hand to her face.
"Jules? What's the matter?" He moved to stand in front of her as she peered at him through her fingers.
She couldn't seem to find her voice and knew better than to be in his office at that moment. It was fear that sent her there. He had been her protector and her rock for so long that it seemed the natural place to go.
"I drank out of the OJ jug this morning. Like straight from it." She choked on a little sob and reached out, pressing her hand to his chest as he moved closer.
Something like frustration moved across his features and he pursed his lips. "It's okay to do that, silly girl."
She let out another soft cry as tears spilled over onto her cheeks. "I can't do this anymore. I'm quitting today. I'm going to break in half if I have to endure this horrible wave of emotion for much longer."
"Don't quit." He reached out and brushed her hair back. "I'll ask for a transfer, okay? Whatever you need."
"No. That's not fair. You're meant for this place. I'll be fine. I just need to get out of here."
"What happened yesterday? You haven't canceled a surgery in the ten years you've been working here. Talk to me." He moved closer, her hand staying on his chest, but letting him.
Pressing his forearms around her to press to the door behind her, he hovered just above her. How many times had she held him in that very position in their bed, wanting to see his face as he took her to the deepest parts of ecstasy?
"I was upset over us and Cade took me out for something to eat." She glanced down and back up. "I don't want to get caught in the web of needing someone to make me feel good and let this kid take advantage of me. He's close to getting there and I don't know what to do."
"Come back to me. You belong to me, Jules. Not him. You know this." He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers, the familiar taste of him sending a shockwave to the center of her.
"I'm not sure that's the answer." She reached up and brushed her fingers along his crazy eyebrow.
"Do you still love me? At all?" He pressed himself against her, trapping her hands on his chest between them.
&nb
sp; "Yes, but I don't know how to trust you, Simon."
"We can work that out. Trust is something that can be rebuilt, and even though you’re falling for the same shit with Cade that I did with Pam, I trust you to make the right decision. If you don't... I'll figure out how to trust you again. I love you too much to let go." He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
She leaned into him, wanting more than anything for him to come home with her. The thing with Cade felt fun and adventurous, but the moments with her husband were like coming home. Warm. Right. Stable.
His tongue slid along hers and the low masculine growl that left him sent shivers down her spin. He broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. "Have you slept with him?"
"No. He's kissed me, but all I can see is you when I try to imagine making love to him or being intimate with anyone. I want a long night of passion so fucking bad, just to feel something besides sadness and yet I know I can't. I can't be with anyone until I cross this line with you and we fully separate."
"We don't have to get a divorce, Jules. Why is that the only option?"
"I don't know." She reached up and touched the side of his face. "I just can't figure out another option."
He let out a long sigh, kissed her softly and moved back. "All right. I'm down with whatever you want to do. Just knowing that you still love me is enough for now."
"I like Cade, Simon. I enjoy his attention and he reminds me of..." She stopped, unable to finish her sentence.
"Of me. I know. He reminds me of myself too." He ran his hand through his hair. "Let's get through the day and then I'll come over tonight. We can cook dinner and talk through how we're going to split everything. I'll behave unless you want more... then it's all yours. As much as you can handle."
She nodded, grateful for his offer. With everything going on inside of her, she knew without a doubt that she would be taking him up on it.
Was it right? No.
Did she care? Hell no.
Chapter 20
He watched Julie walk from the room and waited until she was gone to let out the breath he'd been holding onto so tightly. The chances of her reneging on the divorce going through were slim, but he was grateful for the opportunity to spend another night with her. Even if it was the last, he planned to enjoy himself thoroughly.
The day was sure to be packed with various meetings and surgeries, but he would get through all of it with flying colors knowing that she had agreed to let him come over. She hadn't said anything out-loud, but he'd known her for far long enough to know that she was committed to their plans.
A twinge of guilt started in his stomach regarding talking to Elijah about her and Cade. It wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't been right. The hospital had a three strikes rule and if she got hit with the Pam situation and then Cade, she would be standing on her last leg.
He was assured a position in ocular soon, which would be the time for Julie to move into his spot as the lead surgeon for neurology. If she had black smears on her resume, they wouldn't be able to convince the board to move her up. It wasn't just about her talent and all she had given to the hospital, but her ethics as well.
The situation with Pam had tarred him a little, and it wasn't something he could get removed, seeing that doing so would put Elijah in danger. The chief of staff was directly involved in stitching him up after his accident. He couldn't hide that, nor could Elijah.
A sigh left him as he moved out into the hall and turned to walk toward the OR. Pam moved up beside him, her face a little swollen and dark circles under her eyes. Julie's attack hit the poor girl perfectly it would seem.
"So here's what I'm thinking..." Pam glanced to her left and right before moving into an exam room and tugging at his arm to join her.
He started to pull away and realized that he might need to hear her out. She had the power to hurt Julie more than they already had with their fling.
"What? Make it quick, Pam. I'm due in the OR any minute." Simon crossed his arms over his chest and made sure to keep his eyes on the woman's face. She was attractive, no doubt, and though she was called Plastic Pam, there was a reason every guy in the hospital wanted a shot at her. The surgeon who turned her into a walking Barbie doll did a damn good job.
"I have two options where Julie is concerned. I can press charges and sue her and the hospital for her craziness the other day, which would put her mental stability into question, or..."
Simon cut her off. "That's bullshit and you know it. The review board would know about us and understand completely, in seeing you egged her on in the hall. They're human beings. They would have reacted the same."
"I didn't egg her on." Pam shrugged innocently.
"Yes, the fuck you did." Simon took a menacing step toward the woman and narrowed his eyes at her. "I was there."
"The video doesn't pick up on me doing anything. I've watched it, and honestly, if you think your word is going to hold up as the spouse who cheated on your pretty wife... give me a break. That's almost funny and sad." Pam pretended to wipe a tear from her eyes before flicking. "Here's the one tear I cried for you over your loss, Simon. Man up and listen good."
"Fuck off. I'm not playing into this shit." He turned and Pam laughed, the sound almost maniacal.
"Fine. I'll press charges, and good luck with getting her transferred anywhere. No one wants a young doctor who's willing to sleep with her spouse in one of the sterile exam rooms like a slut, who beats down an HR rep in the hallway and makes out with an intern."
Simon paused and turned. "You couldn't know those things."
"Oh yeah, baby. You forget that most of our rooms are videoed. The advisory board is still reviewing whether that's okay, but it's been slow in HR, so I've been watching you guys for fun."
He moved toward her and wrapped his hand around the base of her throat, shoving her back a little. "Leave her alone or I'll fuck you up good. Do you hear me?"
"Get your hand off of me or I'll fuck both of you up. My decision is simple. You give me what I want and I'll leave her alone and not show my boss and yours all the evidence I have that our best female neurosurgeon is a slutty nut case. Your call. I need an answer by tomorrow." She smiled and moved away from him as he tried to catch his breath.
"What do you want from me?" He looked over his shoulder.
"I want you. Simple. You decide if you still want me." She shrugged. "Julie's on her way out of your life anyway. If you care about her like you say that you do, then giving her up for good is the only way to save her."
The door closed and Simon turned, pressing his hands into the bed below him as he let out an angry cry. This shit couldn't be happening. The only thing that mattered more than family to Jules was her career, and it was a good one. If she black-marked out at Scott Thompson, no one would take her. The research they were working on would suffer and her ability to move up or move out would be non-existent.
"What the hell am I gonna do?" Simon slid his hands through his hair and tugged gently.
With no other option afforded him, he slipped on a tight facade and moved out into the hall and down to the OR. The first surgery was routine and Elijah had put Cade on the schedule to work with him.
Simon was too numb thanks to the new information he'd been presented by Pam to really give the kid the hell he deserved to get for all he was doing to, and with, Julie.
With various commands, Simon walked the intern through the procedure and walked from the room, his face solemn and insides turned into knots.
"Look, Sir. I know that you and Julie are still married and I want you to know that I respect that. She told me what happened, and where I can't fathom a guy willing to cheat on a woman like her... I guess you have your reasons."
Simon's head snapped up as the boy's words penetrated his shell. "What did you just say to me?"
Cheryl moved in beside him and tugged his gloves off. "Simon. You're needed in the ER. Now isn't the time for this."
"I just said that I respect you as a do
ctor, but not as a man." Cade shrugged. "Julie’s a beautiful, brilliant woman and I'm going to make sure she knows that every chance she gives me."
Simon moved toward the kid as red rushed before his gaze. "Let me get my hands on you. You better stay the fuck away from my wife. You hear me? I might look old, but I'll whoop your ass all the way across this hospital and back. And it’s Dr. Paulk. For both of us!"
Cheryl turned and pointed to the door. "Cade. Leave this instant. Say one more thing and I'll report you to Elijah. Your confrontation is misplaced and acting your age leaves us in disgust. We were all starting to respect you as a man. Now you show up acting like a spoiled little boy. Get out."
"Yes, Ma'am. I'm sorry. You're right. I just held Julie while she cried over this douche last night." Cade chucked his gloves. "But it's all good. You guys prop him up and let him believe his infidelities are okay. Bravo."
He walked out and Simon moved from Cheryl as another nurse moved in front of him, this one a large male named Marcus.
"Boss. Don't go after him. He's an idiot and you know it."
Simon looked into Marcus's face and felt a new wave of shame roll over him. "No, he's right actually. I think that's why I want to kill him. Just to shut him up so I don't have to face my demons."
Simon moved to the door, glancing back at Cheryl and forcing a tight smile. "Thank you, old friend."
"Anytime, baby. Don't stop fighting. Never give up." She reached up and wiped tears from her eyes and Simon walked out, making his way to the back of the hospital and pushing hard against the doors that would lead to the large park-like area in the back.
He walked to a set of picnic benches and sunk down onto one, trying to make sense of all that had happened that morning. Julie wanted him to spend the night before they signed the divorce papers. Pam wanted him to be her slut in order to keep Julie's record clean and Cade was going after his wife full force.
"What the fuck?" he grumbled and slid his hands over his face, as weariness wrapped around him like a cocoon.
