Page 93 of Doc Showmance
“I was watching you on TV. All of us were. That producer lady called and said you’d be on.”
“She has your phone number?”
Sirens screeched outside and two fire trucks pulled into the lot.
"Did one of you guys call the fire department?” I asked.
The ladies at the desk shook their heads.
What looked like an entire uniformed fire brigade crowded into the lobby. I recognized Wade and two of the others as the friends he brought over to my place.
Wade demanded, “What the hell is going on? Someone attacked you, Amber? We saw it on TV.”
“Amber, are you okay?” Joley burst through the door in her work business dress, followed by Marino. She hugged me and pulled away. “You look okay.”
Now I was overwhelmed. Why were these people here?
“What’re you doing here, Joley?” I asked.
“We were watching it on TV. Bruno flipped out and left. Took us longer to get here because Marino’s piece of shit car wouldn’t start.”
Damn it. Marianna and her team must’ve staged that baloney with Winnie, and knew it’d be on live TV.
“Where’s that old bastard so I can beat the hell out of him?” Bruno demanded.
“Chill,” I gritted out and grabbed his wrist when he acted like he was about to stomp to the back of the clinic.
More sirens and lights outside, and a sheriff’s car pulled in. But Seth was already here. Into the lobby came a uniformed officer I vaguely remembered—I’d seen his Labrador at some point this year for a porcupine quill trauma.
I leaned into the desk to the receptionists, “Get whoever has pets out of the lobby and into a room. Tell Dr. Morris to make sure Kovac stays in the back.”
Bruno shouldered in close. “Where’s the fucker?”
I took a step back as four other people started shouting and demanding to see Kovac.
A shrill whistle pierced the lobby and the commotion ceased. Seth yelled, “All right, folks. The show’s over. Dr. Hardin is fine. There was a little drama, but everyone is fine. Since there’s no fire, if all firemen can please return to their station, that’d be helpful.” He pointed at the uniformed deputy. “Rick, I’m not sure why you came, but now that you’re here, let’s clear the lobby and keep non-clients out.”
“Bruno, dial it back. If you paid attention while watching on TV, then you saw that I handled it,” I said.
The lobby chaos turned more organized.
“You kicked him in the nuts after Ian punched him,” Bruno said. “Always knew I liked that boyfriend of yours.”
“No comment on my good aim?” My head buzzed, and I felt off balance. I needed a quiet space and about ten minutes.
Joley hugged me again. “I was so scared.” She wiped tears from her eyes. “Your job isn’t supposed to be life-threatening. Are you sure your job’s okay? That this doesn’t put you in danger of getting fired?”
“I’m sorry you got worried.” I didn’t know if I had enough emotional capital left to give Joley what she needed right now. I didn’t know about my job security. Making great TV was one thing, but hitting a coworker was an entirely different level of bad behavior.
“Hey, Jo. How about we give Amber a bit of breathing space?” Seth gently pried her off me.
“What’re you doing here?” Joley wiped at her tears, smudging her mascara.
Seth moved her away from me. “It’s a story, but how about you help me get your brothers out of here while I clear the lobby. Let’s let Dr. Hardin get back to work. She can fill you in later.”
“You’ll make sure she’s okay, right?” Joley jumped at him and hugged him. The girl was a hugger with a big heart.
Wade moved in close and demanded to know if I was okay. Bruno wanted my attention from my left again. And I saw Marino moving in. I backed up.
