Page 22 of Rage

A smile tugs at my lips despite my fatigue.I’m about to reply when the break room door opens.My head snaps up, tension flooding my body.

It’s just Dr.Ramirez, one of the newer OB-GYNs.She gives me a friendly nod as she heads for the coffee machine.

I let out a shaky breath, annoyed at myself for being so jumpy.This isn’t me.I’m not some scared little girl.I’m a damn good doctor, and I won’t let Peterson’s creepy behavior change that.

As if summoned by my thoughts, Peterson’s voice drifts in from the hallway.I freeze, my heart racing.But he passes by without entering, deep in conversation with another doctor.

I slump in my chair, relief warring with frustration.How long can I keep going like this, constantly on edge?

My phone buzzes again.Another text from Mason.

Everything okay?You usually reply pretty quick.

I bite my lip, debating.Part of me wants to spill everything, to lean on his strength.But another part—the stubborn, independent part—resists.I can handle this myself.I don’t need to run to Mason with every little problem I have.

Just busy with surgeries, I type back.Talk later?

I hit send before I can second-guess myself.As I stand to head back to work, Dr.Ramirez notices me.

“You okay, Dr.Beckham?”she asks, concern evident in her voice.“You look a little pale.”

I force a smile.“Just tired,” I lie.“Big day of surgeries.”

She nods sympathetically, but I can see the doubt in her eyes.As I leave the break room, I can feel her gaze on my back.

Lunch break.Finally.My stomach growls, reminding me I’ve been running on coffee and adrenaline all morning.I head toward the locker room, my steps faltering as I approach the door.My hand hovers over the handle, heart pounding.

Fuck this.

I push the door open with more force than necessary, the bang echoing off the walls.Empty.Relief floods through me, followed quickly by a wave of anger.At Peterson.At myself for letting him get to me.

I yank open my locker, the metal clanging.As I grab my lunch, a memory surfaces.Mom at the grocery store, some creep’s hand on her arm.Her voice, steel wrapped in silk.“Remove your hand, or I’ll remove it for you.”

The guy had backed off, tail between his legs.Mom made me promise not to tell Dad.“He’d put a bullet in that idiot’s head before sundown,”she’d said, only half joking.

I slam my locker shut, jaw clenched.Mom handled her shit.So can I.

The door creaks open.I whirl around, fists clenched at my sides.

Dr.Ramirez peeks in, eyebrows raised.“Whoa, you okay there, Meadow?Looked like you were about to throw down.”

I force my hands to unclench, pasting on a smile that feels more like a grimace.“Just… hangry,” I lie.

She doesn’t buy it.Her eyes narrow, searching my face.“You sure?You seem on edge lately.”

My phone buzzes.A text from Mason.Lunch break yet, darlin’?Thinking of you.

I stare at the screen, thumb hovering over the reply button.Tell him?Don’t tell him?

“Meadow?”Dr.Ramirez’s voice pulls me back.“Seriously, if something’s wrong…”

The locker room door swings open again.My whole body tenses, fight-or-flight kicking into overdrive.

It’s not Peterson.Just an intern, looking lost and overwhelmed.

But as I turn back to Dr.Ramirez, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.Pale.Jumpy.This isn’t me.

Dr.Ramirez steps closer, her eyes softening with concern.“Meadow, please.If something’s bothering you, you can talk to me.We women have to stick together in this field, you know?”

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