“We need to disclose this to HR since Xander is an employee of the hospital. I suspect our HR will talk to your HR department, Charlotte. Even though you and Damon aren’t employees of the hospital, you signed our agreement to follow all our rules. There will be consequences, but for right now, I want you both to take the next two days off.”
“That’s unnecessary,” I insist.
“Not negotiable, Charlotte. Until HR can handle this, you two don’t need to be anywhere near Damon. You are not to set foot on the hospital premises. Do I make myself clear?”
Xander and I nod.
Dr. Sear calls HR, and about an hour later, we can finally leave his office. Security escorts Xander and me to the locker room while Dr. Sear makes sure Damon is in his surgery and nowhere near the locker room.
When I get out of the hospital, Xander is right behind me.
“You don’t need to follow me.”
“I’m walking you to your car, and nothing you say will stop me.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine.”
We trudge to the car in silence. “I’m sorry I got you into this mess,” I tell Xander when we get there.
“Don’t you dare apologize to me. Damon did this, not you.”
I don’t respond. Part of me feels responsible for Damon’s bad actions.
Xander opens my door and kisses me on my cheek. His eyes are full of pain and frustration. “Have a good night, Charlotte.” His jaw tightens, and he looks away from me.
“Xander.”
He looks back at me.
“Get in. I’ll drive you home.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Get in.”
He lets out a big breath. “Okay.”
In the car, Xander fastens his seat belt. “Why didn’t you tell me you texted him last night?”
“What good would that have done?”
“We could have gone to HR this morning.”
“Right. Because that was super fun and not embarrassing.”
“Having your underwear thrown at you is more fun and less embarrassing?”
I jerk my head at him. “Seriously? You think I wanted that?”
“No. Of course, not. That’s not what I’m saying.”
“What exactly are you saying, Xander?” I sneer.
He lets out a big breath and runs his hands through his hair. “What I’m trying to say is you can’t let assholes like that get away with that kind of shit. We should have reported him yesterday.”
“Yeah, well, there’s a lot of things we should or shouldn’t have done yesterday,” I hurl at him.
Pain moves across his face, and I have to turn away, once again, blinking back tears.
