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Rebecca leaps in the air, totally busted. “D-darling,” she fumbles, brushing a hand through her hair. “Look who I found on my way to the bathroom.”
Chad looks between us, and I see it—a hint of suspicion. But he smiles and shakes my hand. “Good of you to join us, Doctor. Attending your own festivities fashionably late, I see.”
Thankfully, the air has cleared, and I don’t have to enlighten him about what a harlot his fiancée is. “Ah, you know me. I like to drink alone. Speaking of.” I hold up my drinks, indicating I was on my way out.
Chad reads me loud and clear but says, “I’m not one to stand in the way of a man and his scotch, but join me tomorrow morning? A few friends and I are going sailing.”
Though donating my kidney would be more enjoyable, I nod. I just want to get away from Rebecca and all the bad memories she represents. “That sounds wonderful. Text me the details, and I’ll meet you there.”
I bid him farewell, not even bothering to acknowledge the shrew. With both drinks in hand, I search the room for Max. When I find him standing a few feet away, I stop dead in my tracks because I know that he knows. He so saw my exchange with Rebecca. The question is, what will he do?
Unable to stomach the wait, I raise one glass, indicating the drink is for him. He shakes his head and points at me, implying that I need it more than him.
I’ll drink to that.
Why I agreed to go sailing is beyond me.
Not only do I hate the water but I also had to spend hundreds on “acceptable” boating attire. In other words, I feel and look like a total tool.
But I suppose it’s a small price to pay to be sitting amongst the best of the best. I’m sailing with three of America’s top doctors, who seem to really have taken a liking to me. We’ve bonded over khakis, the Red Sox, and Long Island iced teas. These docs can’t handle their booze, however, and Dr. Lieberman has let slip that I have almost positively won the award.
Chad is thankfully not as intoxicated as these two other clowns, and as we sail through calm waters, he turns to me and smiles. “How do you feel about winning the award, Dixon?”
I shrug, not really knowing how I feel. “Fine, I guess.”
He cocks his head to the side. “You guess? You’re not excited?”
I realize I should probably show a little more excitement and gratitude. “I am. Very excited. I just won’t count my chickens before they’ve hatched.”
Chad smirks, my answer appearing to appease him. “Smart thinking, but let’s just say your chickenshavehatched, what do you plan on doing?”
I honestly haven’t given it much thought. I know winning this award is life-changing. It’ll open up many doors and opportunities for me, and as Chad once told me, I wouldn’t solely have to practice because I could also teach.
But things with Madison have really had me questioning…everything. Do I want to stay in Manhattan? The more I think about it, the more the answer becomes clearer. My relationship with Manhattan has turned ugly, and I can’t help but wonder if I was drunk the entire time I lived there because the thought of going back now turns my stomach.
I decide to answer Chad honestly. He is a doctor, after all. Maybe he can tell me I’m not as crazy as I feel. “I was thinking of getting out of Manhattan,” I confess. “Maybe go back to Jersey.”
He pulls back, not hiding his surprise. “You’re serious?”
I nod. “I think it’s time for a change.” Although he knows nothing of my father’s condition, I add, “I’d like to make the most of whatever time my father has left on this earth.”
He’s still wearing his shocked face when he replies, “I won’t lie, Dixon, this comes as quite a surprise, but you have to follow your gut. You can practice wherever you like. So if Jersey feels like home, then go for it.”
Coming from Chad, that advice is surprisingly reassuring. “So you don’t think I’m taking a demotion by leaving the Big Smoke and moving on to greener pastures—literally?”
Chad smirks as he sips his cocktail. “Not at all. Family is important.” He looks over at Rebecca, who is sunbathing topless. Thankfully, she’s on her stomach. “Don’t let work shroud what’s important in life. Having no one to celebrate your milestones with really puts everything into perspective.”
I raise an eyebrow. Could it be Chad has finally realized that Rebecca is a gold-digging hussy? I don’t say anything, though. He’ll have to find out the hard way. Just like I did.
Chad clears his throat, appearing embarrassed to have shared too much. “I’d best check on those two fools.” We both look over at Dr. Lieberman and Dr. Das, who are hanging over the edge of the boat, laughing hysterically at God knows what.
As Chad excuses himself, Rebecca cunningly rolls over so her tits are sitting sunny side up. She looks over at me and winks. I turn my head away, disgusted that this woman is in my line of sight. After Chad’s confession, I actually feel sorry for him. Now that the novelty of Rebecca’s cooch has worn off, he can almost certainly see that he should have stayed with his wife. But us men, we need to find out the hard way that all that glitters is not gold.
“Hi, Doctor.”
Exhaling loudly, I turn to look at Rebecca. I’m thankful she’s no longer topless. “Hi.”
My insolent tone doesn’t seem to deter her in the slightest. “So I was thinking, after tonight’s proceedings, maybe we could meet up?”
