Page 109 of Dr. Intern

Claire was planning on talking to him only two days from now at their family dinner. Their youngest sister’s New Year’s resolution was to have a monthly meetup, and I know Claire was probably hoping her sister would mediate and soften the blow. Unfortunately, it looks like that won’t be necessary because Parker definitely knows.

I jog after him, trying to figure out how to clarify things.

“Wait up,” I call, brushing past a few colleagues on their way to the large conference room.

Parker’s pace slows when he rounds the corner to an empty hallway, fury practically radiating through the air. He turns to face me, knuckles cracking as his hands grip into tight fists at his side.

There’s no fucking way he would hit me. Right?

Not here, at least . . .

“I can explain,” I start, my voice controlled like I’m diffusing a ticking time bomb. “Claire planned on telling you this weekend.”

His fingers flex, eyes burning into mine. But my best friend still doesn’t speak, he just watches me like a general sizing up their opponent before battle.

“I swear it’s not just sex,” I continue, considering how much to say. “I promise, man. I fucking love her.”

Parker’s jaw clenches before he asks, “How long?”

I pause, not expecting the question.

“Uh, well, we hooked up once months ago, but then your mom died, and I thought Claire hated me. I wanted to talk to you about it before we got together again in November, but after your joke at the intern retreat . . . I wasn’t sure how you’d react. Plus, she asked if we could keep it between us.”

The words come out like a waterfall of relief. I’ve been wanting to have this conversation for so long, but I had to respect Claire’s wishes. Even if he’s pissed, it feels good to finally have everything out in the open.

“Un-fucking-believeable,” Parker mutters, more to himself than to me. His death glare stings after everything we’ve been through, and I can’t tell if he’s angry with me, his sister, or both of us.

I shift my feet, suddenly feeling less confident as I let him work through his emotions.

Finally, Parker lets out an exaggerated breath that rattles on his thinly pressed lips. “End it.”

The muscles in my chest tighten. Surely he can’t want that—not after everything Claire has been through this year. Out of anyone to be with his sister, there’s nobody better than me—nobody who will cherish her like I do.

“Sorry?” I ask, certain I misheard him.

“End it,” he repeats in a carefully controlled tone. “That’s a fucking order.”

Without hesitation, I reply, “Fuck no.”

The air between us feels cold, filled with an icy tension that’s on the verge of cracking into a thousand pieces. Parker’s not used to being told no, especially not in his hospital, on his domain. But right now, it doesn’t matter that he’s more tenured, or more experienced than I am—there’s no fucking way I’m following his bullshit orders.

This has nothing to do with work.

This is personal.

A thick vein on Parker’s forehead pulses as his eyes narrow in challenge. “Then you leave me no choice,” he sneers, storming away in the direction of our meeting.

I have no idea what he’s getting at, but I take a few moments to collect myself in the quiet hallway before going to join my coworkers in the auditorium.

Despite the massive confrontation we just had, a wave of serenity washes over me as I slump into a chair at the back of the room. It feels like a glorious weight off my chest now that I no longer have to sneak around with my girl. I’ve been wanting to take her out, to show her off.Sometimes when I’m in a long case, I’ll picture my future with Claire. Undoubtedly, some of those images are kinky as hell—I am a man after all—but there are so many things I want to experience with her.

And I’m just so thankful that we finally can.

Parker will get over it eventually, I’m sure. He’s just in shock right now, reacting with the emotional capacity of a two-year-old. Once Claire explains, he’ll have to come to terms with our relationship.

“You good, Buff?” Walker asks, settling into the seat next to me.

“That’s the stupidest fucking nickname,” I grumble, crossing my ankle over my leg to get comfortable. “How do you even remember it? You were hammered.”

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