Page 26 of Cat's Outta the Bag

Shouting.

“Are we,” she pauses, whispering while wringing her hands. I put up my hand and shake my head. I can’t make out much beyond someone is shouting, and her talking is now suddenly a risk.

My heart thundering in my chest, I approach the door slowly, straining to hear what’s happening beyond the door. I can feel a bead of sweat gather at my temple before it slowly starts to run down my face. It takes everything in me not to show my fear in front of my patient, who is beginning to hyperventilate.

With my ear pressed to the door, I close my eyes, trying to block everything out except what might be happening out there. At first, the shouting remains indistinct. And then, probably within seconds, it clarifies into more distinct sounds: many people shouting, and the surprisingly loud clicks of camera shutters. My eyes snap open when I realize what I’m hearing.

Shit.

“Mackenzie? We’re alright. I know it sounds scary outside, but it’s nothing to be worried about.” I step up to her on the table and gently squeeze her shoulder. She’s shaking now, looking at me, her face stricken. There’s no doubt in my mind she’s been in an active shooter situation in the past, and the shouting from down the hall has triggered her.

Despite my fury at what is no doubt happening outside, I coach Mackenzie through her anxiety attack. It takes several minutes, but eventually she comes back to her body and understands that she’s safe. I force myself to walk her through her injury and connect her with our Ortho department. By the time we’re done, she’s back to being upset about her teammate stomping on her foot and taking her out of the game for the next few weeks.

When I finally step out, the end of the hallway is quiet. Security must have cleared the paparazzi out finally. As I walk toward the nurses' station, I allow myself a moment to believe that they weren’t here because of me. That some high-profile celebrity is here, and that’s why they swarmed our ER floor for the better part of an hour. But when I make eye contact with our charge nurse, I see the truth in her eyes.

They were here for me.

***

“Dr. Masters,” Dr. Jordan, the lead attending for the entire ER Department, stares me down from the other side of her desk. I do my best not to fidget under her scrutiny. Next to my dad, she’s the practitioner I look up to the most. She has an eagle eye for detail, and won’t hesitate to ream you for missing things. She’s a dragon and I am lucky to learn from her.

Today might be the first time I don’t feel so lucky.

“I’m not going to pretend like what occurred today wasn’t a complete and utter disaster. Nor will I sugarcoat what I have to say next.”

This is it. My career is over. I let myself have a boyfriend, and now I’ve flushed ten years of training and dedication down the drain… What will my dad think?

“While we were able to get them off our property and hopefully scare them enough with the threat of lawsuits for blocking the ambulance bay, knowing who you are currently dating, they’ll likely be back.” She says dating with such disdain, I’d be surprised she ever felt romantic attachment if I didn’t already know she has a life partner.

“And if this becomes a frequent problem, the hospital may have to re-evaluate our staffing.” She lets it hang there, the vague threat. If I can’t get the paparazzi to leave me alone at work, I’ll lose my job. And any hope I have of achieving my career goals.

“I understand.” I get up, knowing I’m dismissed once she starts typing on her keyboard. “It won’t happen again.”

As I slip out the door, she speaks again, filling me with dread.

“I hope he’s worth it.”

I hate that I don’t have an answer.

***

Beauford: Hey bestie, I’m in another bind tonight. Any chance you can take my shift? Word on the street is you could use some kudos points with Dr. J after the drama earlier this week.

I stare at Beauford’s text, simultaneously wishing I could slap him, while also acknowledging how right he is. After the paparazzi debacle, I’m desperate to get back into Dr. Jordan’s good graces. And if I don’t do it soon, I may never recover, even without another visit from the paps.

As I pick up my phone to reply, my eye catches on the dress I’m supposed to be wearing tonight. Jason’s newest movie, a political thriller, is premiering tonight, and I promised to meet him there.

Before I let myself think too much, I fire off a couple of texts and throw my scrubs back on. I just have to hope he’ll understand.

Chapter 20

Jason

Where is she? I try not to pace as I stand near the theater entrance, waiting for Alexis. My parents and sister are already inside, along with my castmates and most of the other premier guests. I shake out my hands and tug on my suddenly tight collar. Even after decades of acting, premier night always puts me on edge.

My phone dings and I nearly shout with relief. She obviously got caught up in traffic and will be here shortly. I didn’t love that we had to arrive separately, but we were coming from different ends of L.A. and would have been dumb to try to come together.

But when I read her message, my heart sinks to my shoes. My eyes start to feel hot and itchy, and I quickly realize it’s because I’m about to cry. Fuck, this hurts.

---