He lifts his chin defiantly, hating that I’m calling him out in regards to our positions. In his eyes, I’m the nurse and supposed to take the orders, while he—the almighty doctor—gives them. “I’d like Mrs. Vargas to make an appointment with a cardiologist. We can send over a referral to the heart center at the hospital, but she also requested a written referral.”
I nod, turning my attention to my computer, essentially dismissing him.
At my computer, I pull up the document I need and fill in her personal information. I do it quickly, considering the older woman has been waiting patiently in her exam room for longer than I prefer. I sense Lance’s presence behind me, but I refuse to acknowledge him. Instead, I keep my focus on what’s in front of me, and the moment I have the referral filled out and sent, I print a copy and prepare to go to the exam room.
Lance is still there, blocking the exit.
“Excuse me,” I state with a touch of condescension in my tone.
Okay, so not so much a touch as a full-blown attitude.
“Of course, nurse.” He most definitely uses my title as an insult, the slimy fucker.
Instead of dropping him where he stands and risking my license, I move quickly past and hurry to the room. I knock rapidly and open the door, apologizing for the wait. Once I’ve wrapped up the appointment, I walk Mrs. Vargas to the front and tell her to call our office if she has any issues with her referral.
“Thank you, dear,” she replies, making the last few steps herself to the counter to check out.
I turn around, making sure to keep my gaze directly in front of me as I slip inside the exam room and prepare it for the next patient. Just as I’m finished wiping down the bed with a disinfectant wipe, I spin to leave and stop in my tracks.
There stands Lance.
Again.
“You need to move,” I tell him, stepping forward and preparing to leave.
“You need to stop this little game.”
“What?” I ask, my jaw practically dropping to the ground. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I know you’re still mad about what you saw when you stopped over at my apartment, but?—”
“I’m not still mad,” I blurt out, interrupting his statement. “I realized really quick I wasn’t mad. I was done. I was tired of being your afterthought, Lance. I won’t do it again. We have to remain professional, but if you can’t do that, I’ll have to go to Fiona and request one of us be moved.”
His smile is cocky, the arrogance ebbing from his pores. “And who do you think they’ll move, huh? You, the little nurse, or me the medical doctor?”
“I honestly don’t care. They can move me to wherever necessary, but something tells me you’d crawl out of whatever little rathole you come from every day and show up anyway. I can do this, but not if you’re unwilling to cooperate. This is your last chance. You don’t talk to me at all, except for what information I need to do my job. If you can’t abide by these ground rules, then I’ll have to go to Dina and changes will be made.”
He narrows his eyes, hands on his hips. “You think you’re so smart.”
“I’m just a nurse, trying to do my job, Dr. Williams.”
“As you wish, Oaklee,” he states, turning on his heel and exiting the room.
I stand here for a few minutes, trying to calm my racing heart. I wish I knew what I ever saw in that dickweasel. I guess I’m just as stupid as he suggests, considering how many times I went back to him when he apologized. I’m the idiot here, that’s for sure.
The back entrance door opens, and I hear voices. Once the room is cleaned and ready, I leave the space and head to the nurses’ station to finish charting. I don’t even look into Dr. Houston’s office, where I hear Lance and Dr. Liu engaging in a friendly discussion. Allison is standing at the cabinet, putting her purse away.
“Hey. Mario said he’d deliver down to us as soon as our orders are ready,” she says, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and popping off the lid. “Want one?”
“Give me one of those Mountain Dews,” I request.
Her eyes widen before she reaches for the can. “Really? That bad of a day?”
I shrug, popping the tab and taking a long drink. “It’s fine. Nothing I can’t handle.”
Allison sighs. “I wish you’d let me just go to Dina and switch with you.”
“No,” I insist, shaking my head. “I will not be a problem child.”
