Page 1 of Dirty Doctor
CHAPTERONE
LANGLEY
“Ms. Williams? Can you hear me?”
I lift my head and look around, hissing as the movement causes my head to pound. An older nurse in a white coat shines a light in my eyes, mumbling something to the younger nurse behind her. I close my eyes again, but not before I take in the hospital room.
“I haven’t even gotten to the dehydration, low blood sugar, influenza—”
“What happened?” My voice is hoarse and raspy.
“You fainted,” the older nurse says, and I slowly open my eyes.
“What day is it?”
She hands me some water, and I take a few sips, letting the water coat my dry throat. “Thursday.”
I sigh, lying down again as I close my eyes. “I missed my interview.”
“That’s the least of your worries, Ms. Williams,” the nurse rebukes, and I hear her click her tongue. “You’re lucky someone called an ambulance when they did,” she adds.
“Someone called an ambulance?” I ask, taking a deep, calming breath. The last thing I remember is that it was Wednesday morning, and I had the interview of all interviews. I was on my way to Kellan Smith’s office.TheKellan Smith.
“Yes, someone called an ambulance. You fainted in the middle of the road.”
My lips tug downward as I open my eyes slowly. “I’ve never fainted before.”
I hear her mumble something about my bloodwork to the other nurse. “Doctor Hastings will be right in. The lab tests we ran when you arrived were concerning. We ran new ones this morning,” she adds, glancing at the IV in my arm. “So hopefully, a full day of rest, IV fluids, and solid food have turned things around. Otherwise, he will probably want to keep you here for a couple of days.”
My eyes fly open, and I bolt straight up, wincing slightly as I place a hand on my forehead. “Oh, no. Please. Doctor Hastings can’t know I’m here.”
The nurse quirks an eyebrow up. “Oh? Why is that?” Her hand is on her hip, and I know just by looking at her that I don’t want to mess with her.
I sigh, feeling my shoulders slump. “He’s my stepbrother.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m afraid Doctor Hastings is the only doctor doing rounds today, Ms. Williams.”
A panicked sound squeaks out of my mouth. “Maybe if I could just go home—”
She cackles out loud. “Home?I think you underestimate just how sick you are. Besides, who do you think needs to discharge you?”
I rub my chest, looking around for my things. “Can’t I discharge myself?”
She shifts her weight to the other hip, placing a hand at her side. “Against medical advice? Sure. But just know it’s highly probable that you’ll have more medical expenses if you have to be readmitted because of a premature discharge.” I swallow, and she continues in a softer tone. “I really would not recommend that, Ms. Williams. Doctor Hastings is one of the best doctors we’ve ever had at Eastport General, and that’s saying a lot since I’ve been here for thirty years.”Of course, he is.“He will take very good care of you.”Of course, he will.
Without another word, she grabs my chart and leaves me alone to sulk.
This is my worst nightmare. Luke Hastings—my stepbrother and my archnemesis, growing up. He was the rotting, arrogant limb to my beloved stepfather, Howard.
Growing up, Howard and I were very close. He welcomed my mother and I with open arms, making the hole my father had left a little more tolerable. The only problem was, Howard came with baggage. Luke and I bickered our way through childhood, and with him being four years my senior, he always rubbed his accolades in my face. I was the happiest fourteen-year-old when he finally moved out and went to Columbia. I hardly saw him for ten years, and it was glorious. Even now, I only see him on holidays, but that’s it.
We haven’t gotten over the competitiveness, and we probably never will. I went on to get a master’s degree in Design from Rhode Island School of Design, and he’s now an ER physician at Eastport General Hospital. I was supposed to interview for Kellan Smith—New England’s top interior designer—before all of this happened. Being an apprentice for Kellan would’ve been a game changer, but instead, I’m horizontal in a hospital bed, waiting for my cocky stepbrother to chastise me about my lifestyle. All because I didn’t eat breakfast. I hadbeen feeling funny all morning, but I just chalked it up to being hungry.
I’d been too busy to eat. Like most days.
I sit up and look around for my purse, wondering if anyone knows I’m here—if my mom knows I’m here. Who am I kidding? I’m sure Luke told her right when they brought me in.
I spy my purse resting on the chair in the corner. My eyes take in the dull décor—beige chairs with brown handles, yellow walls, plastic food trays, white and blue linoleum floors… it’s horrific. I know hospitals aren’t known for their design and aesthetic, but still. Some white paint and new flooring would bring an entirely different vibe to this room.
