Page 6 of Sporting Goods

“I know, crazy today, right? Starting to think I missed an early morning marathon around Main Street. Listen, do you have a few minutes before you leave today?”

Um...no!

I was careful with my response though. “I do, but for only a minute, I need to get my kid new cleats before tomorrow’s final practice for the game.”

Did he even let me finish? “It won’t take long. Todd and I wanted to chat with you briefly.”

Ugh. Todd…If they’re going to fire me, could they do it before my next five patients?

“I’ll stick around.” I sighed internally.

He tapped the side of my room. “Great. And hey, why don’t you take him over to T’s Sporting Goods? I go there for everything.”

I’d Googled that place earlier when looking for something closer to stop in after work. A bit pricier than I had in mind for a second pair of cleats this season for a sport my kid had zero interest in. “Yeah, I’ll check it out, thank you.”

He started walking backwards the way he did when he was done with a conversation. “Two minutes, five o’clock.”

I nodded and waved at the front desk for my next patient.

I bandaged up the last one of the day and scribbled off a pain relief prescription in record time to get to Dr. Mendez’s office by five sharp. If I didn’t get to T’s Sporting Goods before six, I’d be driving forty-five minutes to the ones outside of town and possibly never make it before they closed.

“Rayne.” Todd, the office manager, was in Dr. Mendez’s office with him. He announced my name as though they’d been waiting for me too long. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

“I’m sorry, did you not send the last patient to me just ten minutes ago.”

“Tracy could’ve handled it in seven,” he smirked. Tracy was the only other PA on the team, and her techniques were reckless if you asked me. Thankfully Jerry knew when to intervene when Todd and I got into our spat’s.

“Rayne, starting next week, I’m going to be transitioning back to supporting the doctors on the NHL team. I’ll be working with the Gaters again.”

“What?” That had not meant to come out as shocking as it did. Or out loud for that matter. “You’re leaving us?” He was one of the few doctors here I respected.

“That’s why I wanted to see you. I want you to come assist me.”

I blinked, taking in what he’d just asked. A wave of heat washed through me.Please tell me my job didn’t depend on it. Since my answer had to be a hard no.

I released a heavy breath. “Jerry, I…”

He held up his hands. “Before you answer, I’m not forcing you into anything. You’re more than welcome to stay here and continue what you’re doing now, but the hours will be easier with the NHL, the workload is minimal, and as you already know—it’s very well compensated.”

I did know that. And I didn’t care.

When I left working for the NHL team, I would have taken triple the pay cut to never be around that again.

But the hours were definitely heavier here at the clinic, with patient follow ups, prescriptions, research and long days. God, it was tempting.

“If it’s not mandatory to keep my position with Hamilton Orthopedics—non-NHL division, I’d like to stay where I am. Late nights and all.”

Jerry looked disappointed, but not surprised. He looked at Todd. “I guess we won’t be needing to change her schedule after all. Thank you for staying later.”

Todd nodded and left the room.

Jerry stood. “I do hope you’ll change your mind. It’s not what it used to be. And I know you have personal reasons, but you’re a single mom and I’m conscious of how late you work even after you leave here every night. Plus, for my own selfish reasons, you’re better than mostdoctorson the team, much less the PA’s and I’d love to have you by my side.”

That broke my heart in the best and worst possible way.

“I promise to think about it.” But I already knew I wasn’t going back. No matter the benefits. I too had selfish reasons.

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