Page 24 of Wild Card
“Sent!” Bex stabs the button and the status bar automatically updates with a ding.
“Oh my God, what have you done?” Panic claws at me when the “application accepted” message dances across the screen.
“Putting you out of misery and taking charge.”
“But what if I need to change something? There are no refunds once information is submitted.”
“That’s right, no refunds. You are now officially signed up to take your boards.”
My stomach rolls at the finality. No turning back. After years of schooling, and a few more months of clinicals, it all comes down to a test.
“Stop worrying, you’ll ace the exam.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because you’re Willow Richards. Failure isn’t in your blood. You’ll own it like you do everything. Lucas and I are hoping some of your brilliance will rub off on us.”
“Who’s jacking off?”
I’m used to Lucas’s shrewd comments. But seeing him stroll in casually with Abe Koch, my face flames. A peep escapes before I can slap my hand over my mouth.
“Squeak is in the house,” Lucas mocks.
“Squeak?” Abe quirks an eyebrow.
“Wills’ nickname. She has a tendency to squeak.”
“I hate my brother for telling you.”
“Nah, it’s fitting. So, what about jacking off?”
I’m pretty sure my skin is melting. Abe is practically our boss. Lucas is skating a thin line.
“Not jacking off, you dumbass, rub off.” Bex waves her hand at me. “As in Willow rubbing off some of her brilliance on us for the exam.”
“Did she finally hit send?”
“I did it for her. She was about to jump ship, again.”
Oh shit, this is too much. I sink into my seat, praying these two will shut up.
“You discussing the boards?” Abe asks, his eyes on me.
I nod absently.
“You have nothing to worry about.”
“Really?” I pipe up.
“Yeah, they suck, and the recert requirements can be a pain in the ass. But you three are some of the best I’ve worked with.”
“That is a true compliment coming from you, sir.”
Abe jerks back, his jaw tensing. “Sir? When did I become a sir?”
My humiliation flames again, this time because it’s me who may have been inappropriate.
“I’m not that much older than you. Way to make a man feel ancient.”
