Page 8 of Twisted Ruck

"Remember what we said about being discreet," Doctor Stuart said. "It won't go unnoticed if you join the mile high club on a team flight."

My face heated. "I wouldn't dream of it." Without doubt, the guys would, but something like that would be more likely to get me fired than having a relationship with them in the first place.

"I'm sure." He nodded slowly. "You'll have a bunch of paperwork to fill out before you start. Tax forms and whatnot. The usual required bullshit. And you'll need a new identification pass and entry card. And a few of the official team shirts for press conferences and things like that. You may need to attend those occasionally. You'll also be put on the roster for the family clinic. Don't expect to get the best hours. The new doctors always get the worst shifts." He was not sugarcoating things.

I smiled. "I wouldn't have expected anything less. I'll work my way up until someone else is getting those." I didn't care what shifts I got, as long as I got shifts. As it was, I was used to working all sorts of late and long hours. Working without stilettos would be a welcome change. And with my clothes on.

Doctor Stuart nodded and let out a long sigh. "I wish Bruce was here to welcome you officially, but you're stuck with me."

"I don't consider myselfstuck," I said. "It's been an honour training under you. I look forward to working with you. And learning from you." With all his years of experience, I'd be stupid not to watch closely and absorb everything.

"You say that now, but give it a year." He sat back in his chair and rubbed his neck. "You might feel differently then."

"Are you trying to put me off accepting the position?" I asked. "Because I'm still in."

I wassoin. My inner little girl was itching to jump up and down and scream. She chose this path for herself a long time ago and now she was finally there. She was ecstatic.

"I didn't peg you for the running away kind," he said. "If you were, you'd have done that after the first day here. Or the first week. Others have before you. But you didn't. Everything that's been thrown at you, you've taken it in stride. Not that I expected anything less from Doctor Isaac Miller's sister. You both have ambition to spare. You in particular."

He was clearly impressed. If he knew what my brother was really like, I couldn't tell. All I got was a sense of professional, mutual admiration between two doctors.

What would he think if he knew? I had a feeling it took a lot to surprise Doctor Stuart. Even something like that.

"Yes, we do," I agreed. "We were raised to go after what we wanted, and we do. I don't think either of us has ever backed down from a challenge."

"That's good to hear, because this job will challenge you," Doctor Stuart said. "It will challenge you in ways you haven't dreamt of yet.” He unclasped his hands and pressed them together, lining up his fingertips as though doing so was momentarily fascinating. “I have a feeling you're going to enjoy it."

"I intend to enjoy every moment of it," I assured him. "I know how privileged we are to work here. I'm not going to take that for granted for a second."

But I was going to get to the bottom of whatever the hell Atlas pulled. If he'd tried to keep me from getting this job, that was too fucking bad. I wasn't letting it go without one hell of a fight.

"Of course you're not," Doctor Stuart agreed. "If I thought you would, I would have passed you over for the other candidates. To be honest, your appointment here will raise an eyebrow or two. We had some very experienced doctors apply,but the team has had enough turmoil already. The players know you and I know how you work. That's why I'm offering it to you. That's why I gave my recommendation to Bruce."

"Do you think he would have hired me?" I asked.

Did I really want to know the answer to that question? I wasn't entirely sure, but now I'd asked, I might as well listen to the response. Even if it was something I didn't want to hear.

Doctor Stuart hesitated before shaking his head. "If he knew what was good for him, he would have, but I don't know. Otis Skinner was the only one we discussed and settled on. I'm sorry I can't give you a better answer than that."

"That's okay," I said. I had a feeling I knew who could.

Chapter Four

Chelsea

I thought huntingdown Atlas might be difficult. Training was done and he might have gone home. Or to…I didn't know where.

Instead, he was waiting for me when I stepped out of the infirmary. Leaning against the wall, arms and ankles crossed. His brown-gold eyes watched me draw closer until I stopped in front of him.

"What did you do?" I asked. I wasn't in the mood to mince words. Not after our date.

He smirked. "What do youthinkI did?" He looked impressed with himself. Okay, more impressed with himself than usual.

I was about to respond when a couple of the team's staff walked past. I waited until they were gone. "We should take this somewhere else."

He slid me a sly glance. "Whatever you say." He gestured toward a side room.

I was starting to see why Storm wanted to punch him. I was tempted to do it myself. While wanting to tear his clothes off and fuck his brains out. Conflicting thoughts for sure.

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