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Walking out of the OR, I switch on my phone so I can call Dad. He’s going to be so proud of me.
I see a message from Carter and decide to return his call first. I’ve kept in touch with him after his father passed away. We suffered the same loss only months apart, and because of that, we became good friends.
“Mr. Hayes, I haven’t listened to your message. I saw the missed call and thought I’d just return it.”
“Leigh, I need your help,” Carter gets right to the point. His voice is laced with anger.
“What can I do for you?”
“It’s Marcus. I don’t have all the details because the fuckers hid it from me. There’s something wrong with his heart. He’s in really bad shape. I need you to come and see him. Please, Leigh. It’s Marcus.”
I stop walking as my mind starts to race. Carter wouldn’t phone unless it were an emergency.
“I’ll have to get approval for a few personal days. Carter, I have to warn you. I can’t just walk into a hospital and takeover. I can talk with the doctor treating Marcus. I can advise you on what to do, but I can under no circumstances interfere.”
“Get your personal days approved. I’m sending the private jet for you. If you can help Marcus, I’ll have him transferred to where you are.”
It will be a waste of time to rationalize with Carter right now. He’s clearly upset. Once I’ve taken a look at Marcus’ file, I’ll talk to Carter.
“I’ll see you soon.”
It takes me two hours to arrange for personal time off. I hurry home and pack a few items before I leave for the airport. When I’m settled on the plane, I call Dad, so he’ll know where I am.
Then I dial Carter’s number.
“I’m on the plane. Wh
o’s treating Marcus?”
“Dr. Barnard. I don’t know anything about him. I got more information for you. Did you know Marcus was shot?”
“No,” I whisper, shocked to hear that. Willow never mentioned anything about Marcus being shot.
We’re still close friends, but we’ve both been so busy that we’re lucky if we speak once a month.
“He was shot when he was ten. They removed the bullet but apparently, fragments were missed. He has lead poisoning. I’m not sure where the fragments are. Fuck, I wish I knew more.”
My mind races to process all the information.
“I’ll have to look at his files, scans, blood work,” I take a breath and remind myself that Carter has little to no medical experience. “I have a number for Dr. Bokeria. He’s a leading specialist in Europe. Give it to Dr. Barnard and have him make the call. I’ve only done one solo surgery, Carter. Marcus has a better chance if Dr. Bokeria gets involved.”
“Send me the number.” I hear him walk into a quieter room. “I need you here. I trust you.”
“I’ll be there soon, Carter.”
“Willow will bring you to the hospital.”
When I walk through the doors, a huge smile spreads across my face. I rush to meet Willow halfway, and we hug.
“Oh, my gosh,” I gasp as I hold onto her shoulders so I can look at her. “Your hair! It’s gotten so long.”
“Yours is gone,” she teases. “I love the short style.”
“It’s been too long,” I say as I notice the sadness in her eyes. “How are you holding up?”
She shakes her head and glances away.
“I know you’re not dating Marcus anymore, but it’s understandable that you’re worried about him.”
