Page 110 of Dr. Intern

“I’m a drunk ninja” he replies as he leans forward to pull out his notebook. “You think I’m on one level, but really I’m somewhere else.”

“Yeah, you were really somewhere else when I found you in the kitchen funneling beers with Morgan.”

He grimaces, drawing his eyes to the department chair who has walked up to the podium. “Yeah, that one hurt the next morning.”

I let out a soft laugh before focusing on the presentation. Typically we go over the department initiatives first, reviewing new policies and procedures before diving into the cases. There’s some bullshit about billing and insurance that I only half listen to, because I don’t really have to worry about it until next year when I start taking cases on my own.

“I’d like to welcome our newest attending, Dr. Parker Winters, to the podium. He’s going to review our safety case of the month,” the department chair says after a while. “We haven’t had one recently, but he graciously agreed to step in at the last minute with a great example for discussion. Dr. Winters, the floor is yours.”

My eyes snap up to the stage, landing on Parker’s smug face as the room claps for him. “You all know how this goes, but for the new kids on the block, this is similar to the difficult case list discussion-wise. Feel free to chime in as we review.”

Parker changes the slide, projecting redacted patient information onto the large screen. I scan the details, nausea beginning to twist through my stomach as I realize which case we’re reviewing.

“Dr. Chastain, I believe this was your patient,” he says, flicking his eyes in our direction. “Would you like to present? Or should I?”

Walker’s body visibly tightens next to me as he stands, clearly not expecting this.

“Thank you, Dr. Winters. I didn’t prepare anything, but would be happy to give a brief overview to the class.” Hush laughter fills the room at his sarcasm, though his tone is anything close to humorous.

“This was a thirty-year-old male with a double fracture to the tibia and talus. We went in to do an ORIF, but found a second fracture and had to get repeat imaging once the patient was on the table. As of today, the patient is almost one-month post-op and recovering without issue.”

Parker’s eyes narrow in a silent invitation to continue, but Walker defiantly sits down, cueing that he’s done discussing the case.

“Dr. Chastain, did anything unusual happen during surgery?”

Walker dryly states, “Not that I’m aware of. As I stated, the patient is recovering without complications.”

Parker doubles down, leaning on the podium. “Is that so? Because from what I understand, one of your interns collapsed at the table, placing the patient at risk for infection.”

Hushed murmurs fill the room. I guess if everyone didn’t already know, now they do.

“I don’t see what that has to do with the case,” Walker challenges, his tone controlled despite the slight tick in his jaw. “The patient was unharmed and given standard antibiotic prophylaxis during the post-op period.”

“It was a safety incident. We’re here to discuss the safety of our patients and our physicians. Let’s discuss how this could have been prevented.”

My mind goes hazy as several colleagues pipe up, asking questions and providing suggestions. Walker fields all of them with his usual composure and expertise, not giving off that he’s bothered in any way.

Once Parker decides that he’s had enough, he thanks the audience for their input. As he turns to leave the stage, he pauses to add, “Before we conclude, I’d like to remind everyone that it is against hospital policy to refuse to disclose a medical condition on your employment health exam. Blatantly refusing to follow the policy may result in probation, or in severe cases, dismissal.”

My heart practically stops.

The fucker is blackmailing me.

Chapter 44

Beau

In the elevator on our way to the ortho locker room, Walker breaks the silence. “You good to take the consult in the ER? I’ve got a mountain of paperwork in my inbox thanks to Parker’s little tantrum.”

I sigh, exhaustion washing over me as I lean against the elevator’s back wall. “Sorry about all of that.”

He doesn’t look up from his phone. “Not your fault.”

It’s actually entirely my fault, but I don’t say that. If I hadn’t gotten involved with Parker’s sister, Walker wouldn’t have been put on blast in front of the entire department, and my best friend and I would be on speaking terms. I have absolutely no idea how I’m going to get out of this one. Either I break up with Claire and keep my job, or I stay with her and lose the one thing I’ve worked for my whole life.

“Thanks for sticking up for me back there,” I say as the doors open to the floor of the emergency room. “It means a lot.”

Walker’s chocolate eyes meet mine briefly before returning to his email. “You’re my guy.”

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