“He’s not a shitty doctor, Eli. He’s really not.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why do you defend him, Mia? Are you still in love with him?”
Yes.
“Because I have no doubt he’s fucking—”
“Eli,” my father yelled. He pushed the button on his chair to help him up. “I won’t listen to this anymore.”
I stood. “What do you need, Dad?”
“I need the two of you to stop sniping and growling at each other. I need some peace.” He made his way slowly back to his room.
I moved to put my hand under his arm. “Let me help—”
“No. You can both leave.”
I watched him until he disappeared into his room.
“This is your fault.”
I whipped my head around to Eli, ready to argue but then I looked at my bitter, broken brother and could only laugh derisively. “Of course, it is.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t patronize me.”
I grabbed my purse and got my keys out. “Eli, that’s all that’s left to give you. If Nick and I were gone, who’d you blame then? Dad’s right. You’re miserable because you’re not willing to be responsible for your own actions.”
“You are fucking him, aren’t you—”
“Do you know how insulting you are?” I moved closer to him. “Tit for tat, Eli. Are you like this because you’re not getting laid? Do you blame Nick for your impotence too?”
“You bi—”
I glared at him. “What happened to you, Eli? Really? Where did you go?” Not waiting for him to answer, I headed out the door and to my car.
The next day, I spent the morning wondering if Nick’s gorgeous lawyer spent the night with him. Then I worried she’d show up with some sort of accusation that Nick was being harassed by the hospital or me.
By noon, things were as usual, so my guard dropped to the usual level. I was finishing up my lunch when Candace entered the staff lounge on the third floor.
“Oh good, I found you. Do you have a minute?” she asked.
“Sure. Is something wrong?”
“Not wrong, no. I’m just worried about Dr. Foster.”
“Oh?” I motioned for her to follow me to my office. “Is he not performing well?”
“He does fine, but he’s not the same, you know. I talked with Peggy about it, but she said he just needed time.”
“Time for what?” I feigned innocence.
“To return to his old self.” She had a wistful smile. “Nick lost his swagger.”
“Maybe he’s grown out of it?” I said.
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t mean it like that. I mean his confidence. His loose and easy way with patients that made them feel at ease. Now I’m not sure he trusts our talents. He’s always telling us things twice and making us second check things. I’m just worried because he seems coiled so tight.”
“What are you afraid might happen?”