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I’m not going to interrupt the presentation to tear a strip off Brookes. He isn’t worth that much energy, but as soon as Patrick is done talking, he’s going to hear it.
Patrick continues to pace at the front of the room, reading testimonials from other medical professionals who’ve taken the course. When he finally stops and goes to turn the lights back on, I have a dull headache starting in the back of my mind.
“Now it’s time to discuss the pairs. Since our final trainee has finally shown up, you will be working with the person at your table. I will come around to discuss individual training schedules in a few minutes, but for now, please turn to your partner and get to know them. You’re going to spend a lot of time together over the next several weeks.”
I grit my teeth together before trying to plaster on my best smile. Should I pretend to be the bigger person in this situation? Absolutely. Do I think I’m going to be able to do that? Hell no.
Brookes sighs before turning to face me. When his gaze connects with mine, a grin overtakes his face. I bite my tongue as he leans back, stretching his legs in front of him.
How can he honestly think that seeing me again is anything to smile about?
He’s probably thinking about the way I sucked his cock in the shower.
I doubt he actually remembers me at all.
“Hey,” Brookes says, his tone casual as he drums his fingers on the table. “Looks like we’re going to be training partners for the next few weeks. That’s great.”
“Do we have to pretend that we’re going to be friendly with each other?” I draw circles on the bottom of my notebook page absentmindedly as I look at him. “What are you even doing here?”
“Same thing that you’re doing here.” He glances at Patrick as he approaches our table. “Hey, sorry about being late. I got lost coming up here and by the time I figured out where I was, I couldn’t get a signal to call ahead.”
“Don’t let it happen again,” Patrick says as he sets down a schedule between us. “This is when the two of you will be expected to be here for training. If there’s any conflict with any of these dates, please let me know ahead of time. I have no interest in having my time wasted by waiting around for people who aren’t going to show.”
I bite the inside of my lip, trying not to smile at the subtle dig at Brookes. To my surprise, Brookes just nods and takes a picture of the schedule before passing it to me.
“These days work for me.” Brookes slides his phone back into his pocket.
“They’re good with me too.” I fold the paper up and stick it in my notebook.
“Good,” Patrick says, looking between the two of us. “I’m sensing a lot of tension between the two of you. You’re going to want to work on that. You’ll be spending a lot of time together over the coming weeks and I will not tolerate drama on my team.”
“Yes, sir.” Brookes gives him a smile that I’m convinced melts hearts.
Thankfully, it isn’t working on Patrick. He rolls his eyes and moves on to another pair, leaving me and Brookes alone. An awkward silence stretches between us.
I have no clue how I’m going to make it through the program with him by my side.
2
BROOKES
Itake a deep breath as I grip the edge of the sink. The ER unit’s break room is nice, but people keep coming and going. I never get a moment to myself in there, so I’m hiding in a restroom I found, counting down the minutes until my first shift at Sawatch Mountain University Hospital begins.
I don’t know what the hell I’m doing back in Colorado. This was a bad idea. I should have found a job on the other side of the country. Put as much distance between me and everything that haunts me as I could.
“There you are,” Mark says as he appears in the mirror behind me. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I thought I told you to meet me in the break room. One of the nurses should have shown you the way there.”
“She did.” I turn on the tap and splash some cold water on my face. “I couldn’t think in there. I needed a moment to breathe.”
Mark runs a hand through his curly black hair and sighs. “Come on, we have to get going. I need to get you set up with a coat, and then you have to get a tour. Which means you’re going to have to play nice with some of the other doctors, because I’m busy.”
I snort and shake my head. “Helpful. Thank you for that. As if I wasn’t already incredibly worried about my first day on the job. Now I have to get along with other people?”
“Cut the sarcasm.” Mark leads the way out of the restroom after I’ve dried my face. “If you want to succeed in the residency program here, you have to cut the shit. We both know that people are going to hate you because of who your father is. Acting like a dick isn’t about to win any of them over.”
“Won you over.” I grin as he leads the way into the break room. “We’ve been friends for how many years now?”
“Too many.” Mark looks around the break room, greeting a few people who pass, but I can’t be bothered to pay attention to him.
