Page 62 of Paging Dr. Douche

"Sure she is son. Look, I don't have a lot of time, I just wanted to come tell you that you're being honored tomorrow for everything that you and the hospital did with that big crash we had. There's going to be news crews and benefactors coming out, not to mention the whole town will come out to celebrate you. Isn't that just amazing!"

I gasp and turn to look at him, "Oh my goodness, that's awesome!" I wrap my arm around his waist for a second in a half hug.

"Ugh..." His mother looks away and I drop my arm. I try not to let it get to me, but it's hard, still I wear a smile for Nic. This is a big deal for him.

"I don't know if I can go, Mom. I'm working tomorrow." Nic says, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck.

"Oh, don't you even dare. Everyone will be there, and you'll be the man of the hour. I'm sure one of your workers can handle things while you get your due." She says and stares at him.

"All right, all right. I'll be there. Send me over the information." He says, and his mother claps her hands in excitement.

"Wonderful. Don't you worry about a thing, we've got everything handled." She kisses his cheek and leaves without a word in my direction.

"Nyla, I'm so-"

"Don't even. I'm not worried about that, and neither should you. I'm so happy for you. This is so great for you and the hospital. Everyone should know about the hero that saved the day." I pull on his lapels, straightening them.

"I'm only a hero because I had all of you by my side. I couldn't have done it without you guys." he says, and I nod.

"You damn straight. Come on, let's get the rest of these patients out of here." I say, and pull him back to the floor.

I can worry about hurt feelings later.

* * *

When I say it's a circus outside, I mean it.

Nic's mother wasn't playing around when she said that everyone was going to come out for this event. There are at least five news crews, more than a hundred people, and somehow they've managed to have a whole catered event take place in under a day.

His mother is a very determined woman.

Nic made it so I would be able to have the time off with him while he was honored. It was a joy to watch him interacting with the people. He's much different now than he was before. He even smiles every once in a while.

"Dr. Dracos, it's time" One of the workers from the event says and basically drags him away. Nic reaches for me, but I wave him on. This is his time in the spotlight.

A member of the news crew gets up and starts talking first. I'm shocked when she introduces Cynthia Boone as the woman behind this spectacular event.

Apparently, she is the one who's very determined. I stand there in laughable disbelief as Cynthia goes on telling the story of what happened like she was there. Talk about an attention hog.

When she finishes, she finally introduces Nic.

"And now the hero of our small, charming town, my husband, Dr. Nic Dracos."

This bitch.

My face falls, and I look down at the ground trying my hardest not to let the fact that she's still going around announcing to people that he's her husband get to me when what I really want to do is grab her by her perfect straight hair, pull her off that beautifully constructed podium, and bash her impeccable teeth in.

When I glance back up, I see Nic glaring at Cynthia. Even from here, I can see the muscle in his jaw ticking away.

The crowd is clapping in celebration and chanting for a speech. Cynthia tries to wave him on, but he hesitates.

After a few seconds of prodding, he walks up next to her and takes the microphone.

"Thank you, all of you. I want to say I'm no hero. I couldn't have done anything without the support of my team. This town is part of me. As many of you know, my family has been here from the very start...." Blah blah blah.

I'm sure he's rehearsed the speech, it sounds very put together. Completely unlike the Nic I know.

He didn't correct her. Everyone is standing here looking at him, they respect him, and he didn't correct her.

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