Dr.William Thompson is the primary investor at Hartwell Sports Medicine. He’s my colleague now, but before all this success he was my mentor in grad school. He believed in me when no one else did. When I needed capital for my practice, he was first in line with his checkbook.
I owe him everything and I can always count on him to shoot straight. Which is why my blood runs cold when I walk into his office and see the folder on his desk.
“Jess.” He gestures to the chair across from him. “Sit down. We need to talk.”
I sit, but I already know what he’s going to say and I don’t want to hear it.
“The Southern Knights called yesterday after you left early. You took Biscuit to the vet... How is Biscuit by the way?” His voice is measured. Careful.
“He’s fine. What’s this about?” My jaw clenches.
“That’s good to hear. He’s a sweet old pup.”
“Get to the point, William,” I snap.
“Okay, the Southern Knights want you to take on a new patient. It’s a high-profile, career-threatening ACL reconstruction and it could put us on the map. They’re paying triple our usual rate. We have no choice but to take the team on as clients.”
“No.” I’m on my feet before I realize I’ve moved and I smooth a hand over the front of my pants. “Have a nice day. I’ve got work to do.”
“Jess,”
“Absolutely not. He specifically requested us? That’s insane. I can’t. We can’t. There’s a history, Dr.Thompson. A significant personal history.”
“I know.” His voice softens. “The whole town knows, Jess. That video from the coffee shop is already making the rounds.”
Oh God.
“Look.” He leans forward, folding his hands on the desk. “I understand this is complicated. But we need this contract. The practice needs it. That payment would cover our equipment upgrades and let us hire two more therapists. We’ve been struggling to keep up with demand.”
“I know we’ve been struggling. I’ve been covering extra shifts, taking on more patients than I should. We’re at capacity and then some. But surely someone else,”
“No.You’re the best, Jess. We both know that. Your ACL program has the highest success rate in the state. That’s why they want you.” He pauses. “That’s whyherequested you. What are you going to do? You can’t let some old relationship get in the way of growth? Don’t give him that power.”
I stare at the folder like it’s a coiled snake. Griffin’s name is right there on the tab and my stomach twists and turns.
“I could quit,” I say, only half joking.
“You won’t.” Dr.Thompson’s eyes crinkle with something like sympathy. “You love this work too much. And you’re too damn good at it to let some jacked up jackass drive you away.”
He’s right.
Damn him, he’s right.
I huff out a breath. “Fine.” The word tastes like ash in my mouth. “I should refer him out. Any ethics board would tell me to refer him out. But every other ACL specialist in the state has a six-week waitlist, and his training camp deadline won’t move.” I grab the folder. “But I’m doing this my way. Professional distance. Strict boundaries. He’s a patient. Nothing more.”
“That’s all anyone’s asking.”
“Obviously.” I storm out, ignoring Macy’s curious look as I head for my office. I have approximately sixteen hours to prepare myself for the worst assignment of my career.
CHAPTER 6
JESS
Seven a.m. comes way too quickly.
I’m in Treatment Room B, reviewing his chart for the hundredth time, when I hear footsteps in the hallway. They’re heavy, confident, and unmistakable.
My heart rate spikes. My palms go damp. I hate that my body still responds to him like this even after everything.
