The drive from Roman’s to the hospital is quick, and soon, I’m sitting in the parking lot, heart thundering in my chest as I gather the courage to go inside and pretend like I didn’t steal thousands of dollars in supplies and medication a few days ago. If anyone finds out about that, I’ll lose everything. My job, my license. All of this with Roman will be for nothing, and I’ll be done before I even begin.
I can already see the disappointment on my dad’s face if I get kicked out of the trauma surgery program here. Following in his footsteps has been my dream since I was a little girl, but it’s also been his, and sometimes that pressure is suffocating.
It’s just one more reason this deal with Roman has to work. I can’t fail, and without the money, I’m dangerously close.
When I step into the emergency department, I almost expect security to tackle me and haul me off to jail right there. When that doesn’t happen, I relax a bit, but I’m still on edge. I remember Joe telling me that my body language could give me away, so I do my best to control my breathing, the picture of composure as I walk down the hallway.
“Madison?” Dr. Bauer stops me. “I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing okay. Thanks, Dr. Bauer. I’m ready to be back at work.”
“Glad to hear it,” he says. “You let me know if you need any more time. And by the way, one of the pharmacy techs was looking for you this morning.”
All the blood in my veins runs cold. Oh, God. I’m sure she knows I made the entire thing up.
“And there are a few patients in the ER I would like for you to see this morning. Why don’t you get settled and come find me?” he calls over his shoulder as he walks towards the lobby.
I pressed my lips into a firm smile. “Sounds great.”
Stalking into the staff lounge, I throw my things into my locker and plop onto a chair with a heavy breath.
I can do this. I can do this.
The day actually goes by much quicker than I expect, and once I am seeing patients, it’s the only thing on my mind. Somehow, I avoid the pharmacy tech, and at least buy myself a little time. When my shift ends, I’m exhausted, but oddly relaxed as I gather my things from the lounge.
“Maddie!” someone calls as I’m walking out.
My stomach drops when I see the pharmacy technician.
“I’m so glad I caught you.”
“Hey Quinn.” I smile nervously. “Dr. Bauer said you were looking for me. I’m sorry I didn’t make it over there. We were crazy busy, and I didn’t think you would still be here.”
“No worries! I just wanted to double check on the patient number you gave me the other day. Once the system came back up, I looked, but I couldn’t find the patient.”
“Oh, that’s strange.” Not really, considering I made it up off the top of my head. This is a disaster. “I’m rushing out right now, and won’t be back until Saturday, but I can come by then and fix it for you.”
“That’s perfect! See you then!”
I hurry out of the lounge and make my way to the parking garage. At least I’ve got some time to figure this out.
When I get to Roman’s, I use the code he gave me to get through the gate.
I park my car and head inside, cringing as I take in the disaster that the house has somehow turned into. This morning, it was nice and neat and put together, but it seems over the course ofthe day, a hurricane ripped through. There’s laundry and dirty dishes strewn all over the place and it smells like a frat house.
Joe sprawls out in the recliner, and Ty is sitting up on the couch, playing some sort of video game.
“Ty, I need it now,” Roman calls from somewhere in the house.
Ty looks down at a shirt and starts to tug at it, squirming to get it over his head.
I wince at the way he moves because his wounds could easily open again.
“Here little man.” Joe notices the struggle, too, and pauses the game to help him get it off.
Ty takes it and throws it back over his shoulder, and the dirty T-shirt comes flying toward me. Roman catches it right before it hits me.
“Hey!” he snaps, pointing a finger at Ty. “What have I told you about throwing things in the house?”
