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He grimaced. “Melissa and I dated about a year ago.”
“What?” I gasped.
“It was before I met you. I didn’t think it mattered.”
He had a point, it didn’t really matter, but he still should have told me his ex was working at the hospital with us. “Well, obviously, it bothered her to see you with someone else. What happened between you two?”
He let out a sigh. “She worked as a nurse in my department at the time. We dated for a few months, but I didn’t see a future for us, so I broke things off. She didn’t handle it well and threatened to bring legal action against the hospital.”
“Are you serious?”
He nodded. “I don’t know all the details about what went down with the board of directors, but they reached a settlement with her and promoted her to charge nurse in exchange for not pursuing a lawsuit.”
“Then you can go to HR and tell them what’s happening. Hell, half of the board is made up of your family members. I’m sure I could get my job back if you explained things.”
“It’s not that simple, Kayla.”
I was tired of people telling me that. “Why not?”
“When shit went down with Melissa, my father made it clear that my employment would be in jeopardy if I brought another scandal to the hospital.”
I sprung off the couch and threw my hands in the air. “But we aren’t a scandal!”
He frowned. “I’m afraid my father wouldn’t agree.”
“So, you’re just going to let them fire me?” He looked at me, silently pleading for me to understand. “You’re kidding right?” I walked toward the door.
“Kayla, wait.”
I stopped but didn’t turn around. Mark wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my neck. “I’ll help you find another job. This isn’t a big deal.”
I wiggled out of his grasp. “It’s a big deal to me. I worked my ass off to get this job. Besides, how can I trust you if you won’t fight for me—for us?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
I spun around to face him. “Yes, it is. You’re choosing your job over me.” He tried to interrupt, but I held up my hand to stop him. “That’s fine. But I can’t be with someone who lets me take the fall when I did nothing wrong.”
“So what? You’re breaking up with me?” His voice took on an angry tone.
I shrugged. “I guess I am.”
As I stepped through the threshold, he snarled, “Whatever. It’s not like you were special, anyway. You’re not the first nurse I fucked, and you won’t be the last.”
I really knew how to pick ’em.
Tears streamed down my face as I drove home. The breakup with Mark sucked, but losing my job hurt even more. Working in labor and delivery had been my dream job, and never imagined I would get fired.
I pulled into my parking space and glanced up at my second-floor apartment. The thought of spending the rest of the day alone and feeling sorry for myself didn’t sound like a good time, so I grabbed my phone and sent Simone a text: Are you home?
Simone: I’m at Kyle’s. What’s up?
I’d assumed Kyle was at work, but if she was at his house that probably meant they had plans.
Me: Just had a bad day. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
My phone rang a couple seconds later, and I should have known my best friend wouldn’t let the conversation end with my message.
“Hey,” I answered as I climbed out of my car.
