Page 44 of Paging Doctor Grump

“What did you just say to her?” Brookes’ voice booms through the room as the crowd parts to reveal him standing in the doorway.

18

BROOKES

Dad smirks and slides off the edge of the table. People whisper to themselves as they filter out of the room. Some of the doctors and nurses hang back, eager to watch the drama unfold.

All I can see is red as Dad marches over to Jessie and stops in front of her. She glares up at him, looking like she’s ready to take him down if she has to.

She shouldn’t have to though. He has no business being here. He has no business mocking her in front of a crowd of her peers.

There’s no right way to address him right now. No matter what I say, I’m going to be the horrible son who got angry at his kind father for visiting him at work. But I’m done giving a shit. I’m exhausted. I’m tired of the control he has over my life.

My relationship with Jessie is the one thing I’m not going to allow him to try to control.

“No. You leave her alone and get over here. You want to talk about whatever the fuck you think is distracting me, you talk about it with me.” My hands ball into fists at my sides.

Dad scoffs and turns away from Jessie, his attention on me. He looks out of place in the bright yellow room.

He shouldn’t be here.

I don’t know what the hell would have compelled him to come to the hospital and hold a meeting with all my colleagues. Then there’s the fact that he’s sitting here and making a show of Jessie.

“You want to tell me what’s going on here?” Dad asks, his tone sharp as he looks around the room. He glares at the people still left, watching as they filter out.

Jessie goes to leave with them, her eyes glistening with tears. Dad steps into her path and points at one of the chairs. She looks at him with nothing but hate in her eyes. Her jaw clenches and she stands where she is, crossing her arms.

If looks could kill, I suspect she would have killed him long before I walked into the room.

“I’m a doctor. I have other patients I need to see.” Jessie’s tone is filled with venom as she steps closer to my father. “You should be ashamed of yourself for the way you talk about your son. I don’t have time to sit here and do this swinging dick contest with you, but if I did, you would lose.”

Dad looks at me and rolls his eyes. He tucks his hands into his pockets and looks far too calm. It only infuriates Jessie. A red flush colors her cheeks. Even from where I’m standing, I can see the way her nails dig into her palms.

If she punches him, I’m going to have to offer security a large amount of money to look the other way.

“You’re really going to let your little toy stand here and talk to me that way?” Dad shakes his head like he’s never been more disappointed in me. “I thought you wouldn’t be stupid enough to sleep with the staff. You’re better than that.”

Fuck it. I might be the one to punch him. For Jessie, it’s worth the night in jail.

I move closer to him, my hands in tight fists at my sides. “You’re going to want to watch what you say about her. Jessie is more than just some woman I’m sleeping with. I love her. We’re trying to start a future together.”

Jessie makes a strangled noise, shifting her weight from one side to the other. This isn’t the way I wanted to tell her that I love her.

I thought the moment would be more special than this. I didn’t think we would be standing here while I fight with my dad. Not once was I thinking of telling him before I told her.

“Sorry, Jessie. This isn’t even close to the way I wanted to do this.”

The look on her face makes my heart feel like it’s being ripped out of my chest. It’s like she’s a deer caught in the headlights. Her eyes are wide as she looks toward the door.

“Enough of this,” Dad says, his voice echoing around the empty break room. He perches himself on the edge of a table, a stern look on his face. “We had a deal, Brookes.”

“And I’ve done nothing to break that deal. I’m good at my job. I like my job. I come to the hospital, and I get to save lives. Nothing has taken my attention away from my job.”

Dad gestures to Jessie. “If that were true, then she wouldn’t be in this room right now. It’s time to admit that you’re distracted, son, and that you’re never going to make it through your residency.”

Anger rolls through me in waves. My entire body feels like it’s vibrating as I resist the urge to pace from one side of the room to the other. I don’t know what to say to him right now.

Fuck you doesn’t feel adequate.

---