The Price of Fame: A Price Novel (The Price Novels Book 2)

by Craft, Maggi

  “Good job, Dr. Simms.” He patted me on the back as we left the OR together.

  I didn’t correct him that time because it would have felt rude to do so. And I was so appreciative he had let me do all of that. “Thanks,” I said.

  “It’s awesome, right?” he asked, and I could feel myself beaming.

  I nodded, no longer able to contain my smile. “Yes, it is.”

  He laughed and patted my shoulder. “You’re gonna be good, Simms.”

  I spent the rest of the day on cloud nine. No one was ruining my high. Not even Eric.

  Eric had gotten an internship at the same hospital as I had. I thought it strange he didn’t tell me about it the night I told him that mine would be there, and he had to have known by then. I found out our first day, which really annoyed me. He had apologized for upsetting me over the whole Slayde thing, so we were on better terms, but once he found out I had gotten married during our break, he started acting like a jerk again. We had spent so many years as friends, and most of my great memories of college had him in them. But now I wanted to get away from him.

  “Must be nice to be the pet.”

  I jerked my gaze up from the patient chart I was reviewing to meet Eric’s baby-blue eyes glaring at me across the nurses’ station counter. He held his long arms crossed against his broad chest, and he wore his trademark arrogant smirk.

  “What are you talking about?” I snapped.

  “Adam Greene. You’re his favorite, you know? He was just telling the chief how great of a job you did in there. ‘Completely focused. Completely nerve-free,’” Eric said, mimicking Greene. “I didn’t want to tell him it’s because you’re heartless, but anyway, I think it’s because he wants to get into your scrubs. You know, he bangs all the hot nurses in the on-call room.”

  I didn’t want to hear all this. But I didn’t care. I started to walk away.

  “Why are you walking away? You know it’s true.”

  I turned around. “Because it’s none of my business, and I don’t care. I’m not here to gossip or to entertain you. I miss the old Eric. My friend. He wouldn’t have put me down. He’d have congratulated me and asked me how awesome it was and celebrated with me over coffee.”

  He knew I was right. I could see the moment he realized he was being a jerk. ”I was kidding, Arden,” he mumbled, looking away.

  “Yeah, whatever.” He wasn’t, and we both knew it.

  I went to find a quiet spot, so I could read this chart in peace so that when the doctor asked questions, I would know all the right answers. I didn’t want to look like a fool. I found a forgotten-looking chair in a corner.

  Twenty minutes later, I was interrupted. “Peace offering?” Eric was holding out a coffee for me with what appeared to be a genuine smile. “Just like you like it.”

  Ignoring my reservations, I held out my hand. “Thanks.”

  He crouched next to me. “I really am sorry for being a jerk, OK? I think it’s totally awesome that you helped. You are going to be a kick-ass surgeon one day.”

  “Because I’m heartless?” I asked before taking a sip of my coffee.

  “No, I didn’t mean that either. I’m tired and grouchy and, honestly, pretty freaked out. I feel kind of overlooked here. I haven’t gotten to do anything, really, other than fetch coffee and memorize charts. I get a dud doctor every day. I don’t know who makes that board out.”

  I smiled at him. “You’re not used to not being the center of attention.”

  He smiled back. “No, I guess not. This is a different ballpark for sure. A whole different game.” He took a sip of his coffee.

  “And you’re gonna knock it out of the park here too, Eric. Every one of us is as scared as you are.”

  “Not you.”

  “Are you kidding? I am scared to death.”

  “But at least you have a fallback plan.”

  I looked blankly at him.

  “Trophy wife.”

  Seriously? I couldn’t believe this was coming from Eric. He knew me, and he knew how hard I’d worked to get here.

  I exhaled, set my coffee down, and went to go see my patient, mumbling, “Good-bye, Eric,” as I walked away.

  Chapter 5

  Slayde

  I knew Arden would be home and exhausted and not wanting to go out, so I brought home some sushi for supper.

  “Are you hungry?” I asked when I walked into our room. She had just showered and looked like she was getting ready to lie down. This was when she looked the most beautiful: no makeup, hair in a messy wet bun, and wearing one of my T-shirts. Of course, she didn’t agree with my opinion about this, but whatever.

  Her scowl and pinched-up nose let me know she was not in the best mood. “What’s wrong?” I asked, kissing her forehead.

  “I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”

  “You’re going to have to stop and eat during the day, baby. You have to eat to survive. That’s kinda the point.”

  “I know.” She lay back across our bed dramatically. “I don’t even have time to pee, much less eat,” she moaned.

  “Well, you stay here, and I will bring you something to eat.” I headed for the kitchen.

  “You’re the best, baby. Have I told you I love you today?” she called after me.

  “I don’t know if I have even talked with you today,” I said when I brought her some sushi on a tray. “I haven’t seen you in three days, and you never answer your phone when you’re at the hospital. I cherish the texts I do get from you. Even the ones at three a.m.” I smiled at her.

  She sat up to eat. “Three a.m.? What are you talking about?” She carefully broke apart her chopsticks.

  “You texted me at three this morning. So I guess you have told me you love me today.”

  Looking like she still didn’t remember, she smiled sheepishly. “Baby, I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t wake you up. I lose track of day and night when I’m there for that long.”

  I knew she didn’t have time to breathe, so I was trying not to let the lack of communication coming from her bother me. “So, how was your day?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Long and crappy. Eric—”

  I interrupted her. “Did you say Eric?” I could feel my blood pressure rise. I hated Eric. He was in love with her, and she was oblivious to that. I trusted her, but I sure as hell didn’t trust him.

  “Yes.” She looked confused.

  “As in, Eric from school?”

  “Yes, baby. What’s the matter?”

  “You didn’t tell me Eric had followed you.” I looked at my sushi. I had lost my appetite.

  “He didn’t follow me, baby.” She looked like she really believed that. It infuriated me that she was so blind.

  “Are you really that naïve, Arden? You think it’s a coincidence that he ended up at the same hospital as you?”

  “I don’t know. I had no idea that he was going to be there until I got there,” she said.

  “So, what’s the status of your relationship at this point?” I asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, are you still not speaking? Or are you big buddies again?” I was trying to remain calm, but it wasn’t easy. He was definitely a hot button for me.

  “We’re definitely not buddies, but I do speak to him sometimes. Are you mad?”

  “I don’t know. I’m hurt, I guess.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I feel like you’ve been hiding this from me. You should have told me. I would have been upset, but I would’ve gotten over it.” I had to get out of there. Taking my plate into the kitchen, I grabbed a beer and went outside. I sat at the edge of the pool, my feet on the cool tile.

  I had almost finished my beer when she came and sat next to me. She had brought me another beer and one for herself. Neither one of us said anything at first. Finally I said, “I don’t like this at all, Arden.” I didn’t want to sound possessive, but this really bothered me, and I couldn’t help it. “And you wouldn’t eithe
r if this was the other way around.”

  After a minute she said, “I know, but I can’t do anything about it, Slayde. I don’t have any feelings for him whatsoever. I never have.”

  “You kissed him.”

  “You kiss a lot of people you don’t have feelings for. It was a mistake, and it meant nothing. I can’t believe you are making such a big deal of this. Don’t you trust me?”

  “Of course I trust you. But that doesn’t mean I’m OK with you spending most of your time with a guy who’s totally in love with you and who doesn’t respect our relationship at all.”

  “What do you suggest I do?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. Go to work and hang out with Eric, I guess.” That wasn’t the most mature thing I could have said, but that was where I was.

  “I’ve never seen you act like this.”

  “I really thought the Eric phase of your life was behind us.”

  She teared up and walked inside.

  I sat outside for a while longer, thinking. I hated myself for making her cry. I had to go fix this. I can’t believe our first fight as a married couple is about that stupid prick. I wasn’t going to let Eric ruin my night. I was going to go apologize and make love to my wife.

  She was in bed with the lights off. I knew she was crying, and it made me sick. I knelt down beside the bed. “Arden, I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight with you. Especially over him. I’m sorry for being a jealous ass. Eric’s a touchy subject, I guess. But that’s my issue, and I will try harder from now on to deal with it.”

  She ran her fingers through my hair. “You don’t have to keep it to yourself, baby. I always want to talk about what’s bothering you. I just thought you knew me better than that. I’d never hurt you.”

  “I know that. I’m sorry. You think you can forgive me?”

  She smiled. “I think you can convince me to.” She pulled me on top of her.

  I woke up early the next morning and went to the gym. I thought I would let Arden sleep late. When I got home, she was still asleep. I didn’t want to wake her up, but I hoped she would get up soon—I wanted to hang out with her before she had to go to back to the hospital.

  After I got out of the shower, she came into the bathroom.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” I kissed her forehead. “I brought you Starbucks. It’s on the night table.”

  She groaned. She wasn’t a morning person. I thought she was cute when she was grouchy, but I also knew when to leave her alone. She came out of the bathroom a few minutes later and grabbed her latte. “Let’s go eat lunch. I have to be back at the hospital at seven. I’d like to spend as much time with you as I can before then.”

  “Sounds good.” I reached for her hand—and noticed she didn’t have on her wedding ring.

  “Where’s your ring?” I asked in a harsh tone.

  She looked down at her hand. “Crap, I must have left it in my locker at the hospital.”

  “You left a six-carat diamond ring in your locker at work? Are you kidding me?” I was fuming. Not because she left it but because she took it off to begin with.

  “I’m sorry. I was in a hurry to get home yesterday, and I must have forgotten it.”

  “Why in the hell did you take it off in the first place?”

  “Slayde, I can’t wear a ring at work. I have to put gloves on and off like a hundred times a day.”

  “Is that the real reason, or is it really because you don’t want Eric to see it?” I immediately realized I shouldn’t have said that.

  I could see her face growing red. I could always tell when she was pissed. “You know, you’re a real hypocrite, Slayde. You take your ring off all the time for filming and pictures. But when I do it, you’re pissed.”

  “That’s different. I—”

  She cut me off. “It’s only different because it’s you. I’m not going to live by a double standard, Slayde. I know it was irresponsible of me to take it to work in the first place. I know I can’t wear it, so I usually leave it here. I’m not going to sit here and listen to you make me feel like a bad wife for things I can’t change. So you need to grow up.” She stormed out.

  I waited at the house until well after seven, thinking Arden might come back before she had to go to the hospital, but she didn’t. What if she doesn’t come back at all? She has left before. What have I done? I felt really stupid. I knew she wouldn’t cheat on me. I tried to call her, but it went to her voice mail. “A, please call me when you can. I don’t care what time it is. I love you.”

  I sure didn’t want to sit home all night and wait for her to call me. I decided to go to Mom’s. When I drove up to my parents’, I saw my dad was home, and Brady was there too. Great! I considered leaving but figured I could probably get Mom away from Brady and Dad long enough to talk to her.

  It was quiet inside, which was weird. They must be outside. I looked out back and saw Dad, Taylor, Brady, and Aubry by the pool. Dad was cooking something on the grill. I didn’t see Mom. I went into the kitchen and saw that Mom was mixing something. I snuck in and poked her on her side. She screamed and dropped whatever cooking utensil was in her hand.

  “Dammit, Slayde, you scared me to death.” She took a moment and caught her breath, then gave me a big hug. “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in over a week.” She knelt to pick up the spoon I’d made her drop.

  “I was in New York until yesterday. I have a few days before I have to go back.” I stuck my finger into whatever batter she was mixing.

  “Gross, Slayde, get your finger out of there. That’s disgusting.” She hit me with a dishrag and took a spoon and scooped out a big hole where I had touched the batter.

  “My hands aren’t dirty.”

  “Whatever—you’re a man. I doubt you even know when the last time you washed them was. Where’s Arden?”

  I hesitated and then kind of grumbled, “The hospital, where else?”

  She stopped what she was doing and looked at me. “What’s wrong?”

  “Who said anything was wrong?” I opened the refrigerator. I really wasn’t hungry, but I didn’t want to make eye contact with her. You couldn’t hide anything from that woman.

  “You’re my child. I know when something’s bothering you.” She shut the refrigerator door and made me look at her. “And when you’re lying to me.”

  I kind of laughed. I opened the fridge back up for a soda and then sat down at the bar. Whether I wanted to talk about it or not was irrelevant at this point. She wouldn’t let me leave this kitchen until she had pried every detail of that afternoon out of me.

  Luckily my dad walked into the kitchen. Mom looked at me and mouthed, “We’ll talk about this later.”

  “Slayde, you want to stay for dinner? I’m cooking steaks,” Dad said.

  “It looks like you have a full house. I’m gonna head home.”

  “Stay,” he said. “There’s plenty of food, and if you leave without talking to your sister, she’s gonna have her feelings hurt. She told me earlier that you don’t pay her any attention anymore.”

  Even though I really didn’t want to, I agreed to stay and went outside to see Taylor.

  “It’s about time you came home,” Taylor said, swimming to the edge of the pool. Brady and Aubry, sitting together in a big lounge chair by the pool, both looked at me. I thought once again that Aubry was a beautiful girl. She was short and thin with dark skin and long dark hair, and she seemed really sweet. I didn’t know how she’d gotten mixed up with an ass like Brady.

  Brady and I didn’t have any issues other than the Arden thing. We’d always gotten along, we’d always been close, but Brady treated women like shit. Always had, and I wasn’t sure that would change. Aubry seemed to be different than the usual girls Brady associated with.

  “What’s up, Brady? Hey, Aubry.” I smiled at Aubry and looked back at Taylor. “Sorry I’ve been neglecting you, Tay.” And so she’d know I missed her, I reached down and dunked her. I mean, what did she expect, but I knew that wouldn
’t come without consequences. My little sister always had to have the last word, end of story.

  “AHHHH! Jackass!” she yelled, and I laughed at her only to aggravate her more. I loved my little sister, and I loved to drive her nuts. She loved it too. No matter what she said.

  “Where’s your wife?” Brady said in a way that let me know he was still pissed. “I can’t believe you got married and didn’t invite your only brother.”

  “Sorry, Brady, I didn’t think you were a big fan of weddings.” Everybody knew that wasn’t the real reason.

  “I guess you didn’t,” he snarled.

  Dad came back outside, and we quit talking about it. Dad had already let us know where he stood on the whole “Brady and me fighting over Arden” thing.

  “Slayde, your mom wants you,” Dad said.

  I knew that was coming. She wasn’t going to let me out of talking about it, but that really was the reason I came over here in the first place, so I went back into the kitchen.

  Mom had poured herself a glass of wine and opened a beer for me. “So?” she said.

  “So, what?”

  “So, what’s going on with you and Arden?”

  “I guess I’m being an ass,” I said.

  “How so?”

  I told her about the argument last night about Eric and then about the whole ring incident. She listened to everything without interruption, like she always did. Then I sat back and waited for whatever she was going to say.

  “I understand why she can’t wear her ring, Slayde. That makes sense.” That was all she said.

  “That’s it? Where’s all your great advice?”

  She turned to me and said, “You’re going to have to figure it out.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, you know her better than that. I agree with you. You are being an ass. I do think she should have told you about Eric. But I don’t think she didn’t tell you because there was anything going on. I think she just didn’t want you to worry about something that didn’t matter to her. If she wanted to be with Eric, she would have been with Eric.”