Page 63 of Playing With Fire
He’s pushing my buttons, but I’m weak and I give him a reaction.
“Of course she got off! I know how to…oh you fucking bastard.”
Phoenix sits back in his chair and gives me a smug-ass grin.
“So, what’s next?” Knox asks, ignoring Phoenix’s childish ways.
“Well, she asked that we let things cool off for a couple of days and she’ll text me again on Friday,” I explain. Hearing it out loud makes it sound bad. Like I have no say or control over what happens, but truthfully, I suppose I don’t.
My friends all give me pitying looks, but it’s Jakewho responds first.
“Hud, you know we’ll help however we can, just be careful. You’re a bleeding heart and I don’t want some chick cashing in on your good will.”
It’s hard to explain that it isn’t like that, but they don’t know her and I know how bad it looks, so I just nod.
“Thanks, man.”
Despite everyone’s warnings, including my own alarm bells, Friday can’t get here fast enough.
Chapter 23
Shannon
Keeping up appearances has always been exhausting, but now I have to play the game for myself. Every day it becomes clearer that I want out. Right or wrong don’t even matter so much anymore because I certainly don’t expect anyone to understand or tell methis is okay.
Wednesday is a strange day to start a new job, but it’s been incredible. It’s all administrative stuff: credentialing, paperwork, meetings with HR, etc… but for the first time in a long time, I got to put on my lab coat and stethoscope. I’m embarrassed to admit I almost cried when they gave me my badge. To see Shannon Hartley, M.D. again makes my heart want to leap right out of my chest.
I’m greeted with warm smiles from the front office staff as well as the other physicians in the practice. Apparently, they needed help so badly I already have a full schedule of appointments. But thankfully, they capped it at twelve for the day to let me get my bearings.
Serafina was all smiles when I dropped her off withmy mom this morning. I’d told Greg I would be going in to the office and gave him the chance to spend the day with our daughter. His response?I have deadlines, Shannon. I don’t get PTO like other jobs.The way he spatother jobswasalmostenough to make me yell.
Arrogant bastard doesn’t even realize physicians don’t get PTO, either. We just don’t get paid if we’re out of the office. It angers me that even now, he’s acting like my career as a licensed physician is just a fun hobby, something to do in my spare time.
My signing bonus came through and the first thing I did was make appointments to see apartments next week, as well as a couple of daycares. The way that having my own space fills me with excitement tells me I’m making the right choice.
At the end of the day, I’m buzzing with renewed energy as I slide my company-issued laptop into my new bag, ready to pour a glass of wine and look over patients’ scans this evening.
I swing by my parents’ house to grab Serafina and tell them all about my amazing day. I’m in such a good mood, I don’t even mind doing Gregor’s laundry or cooking dinner tonight. Having that external validation and sliver of independence has really adjusted my spirit.
Until Greg gets home.
He deposits his briefcase on the kitchen table unceremoniously as soon as he walks in the door, despite the table already being set for dinner.
I ignore the rudeness of the gesture and try to stay calm, but inside, I’m dying to talk to Hudson.
“Hi, Greg, I’ve just about got dinner done.”
“I just came home to change. I’m meeting Tanner for dinner to discuss some case notes,” he says. At one point, not so long ago, my heart would have plummeted over him choosing to spend his time with others. Now, I only feel relief that he isn’tgoing to force small talk on us. “By the way, I invited Simon and Renee over for those cocktails, finally. We settled on Saturday evening. Could you make sure our bar is stocked with the usual high-end options? Simon is a rum drinker, but I’m not sure about Renee.”
I’d really hoped he had forgotten about wanting the get together to happen in the first place.
“What time are they coming?” I ask.
“I told them seven. Could you do those trays of jalapeño poppers and those brie cheese pastries I love so much? Oh, and maybe some of those cream puffs too?”
I bite back a groan. Thoselittle traystake all day, but I agree anyway, hoping it’ll earn me some points when the divorce papers are served and he realizes I’m serious. At this point, I’m pretty sure he’s waiting for me to change my mind and come crawling back to him, dripping with an apology.
He’ll be waiting forever.
