"I know, I know," I said, running my hand through my hair and suddenly feeling very tired. "It was never about that. It was..."
"The business was your baby," he finished. "It was what you turned to after Quinn was gone. I get it, Cam, but letting go of a little portion of it isn't going to mean that you've let go of her completely. We're in this together. This business can be so much more, but you've got to let go of the tight control."
"I know," I sighed. "I just feel like everything is changing so fast and I don't know what to do, Leo."
"What else is going on?" he asked.
"Nothing, it's just..." I began and then trailed off as I looked away not knowing how to finish the sentence. When I looked back up at him, I took a deep breath and said, "Fine, let's split it fifty-fifty and see how that goes. You take all the public heat, got it?"
"Happy to oblige," he grinned.
"But for God's sake, get yourself a girlfriend," I said shaking my head. "The last thing you need is a scandal based on your love of exotic massage girls."
"Hey, it works for me," he shrugged. "And I'm single; I don't see the problem!"
"Dammit, Leo," I growled. "If you're going to be the face of the company, then you have to act like a professional! I don't care if you hire the girl who just left here to play your girlfriend, just do something so that you don't get caught with your pants down and have to expose me in the process!"
"I got it, I got it," he said holding up a hand to ward off my tirade. "I'll take care of it."
"Good, and get the lawyers to draw up the paperwork," I said. "I'll swing back around early next week and sign everything."
"Cam, are you sure you're okay?" Leo asked quietly. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I'm fine," I said shaking my head. "I'm just tired and feeling a little out of sorts. Maybe I'll take Tesla for a run and see if I can't shake it."
"Maybe you need to find someone to talk to, Cam," Leo gently pushed. "You know, there's nothing wrong with that."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I said as I stood up and walked to the door. I opened it and then turned around, "Thanks, Leo. For everything."
"No sweat," he said waving me off. "That's what friends are for, man."
I nodded before heading out to my car wondering if I was making the right decision and, for the first time in a long time, feeling like taking a chance or two.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Alex
Several days later, Liz and I were in the basement pulling backup supplies for the ER when Mrs. Rikka cornered us.
"Ladies, I've had some complaints about the way in which you've handled some of the patients who've come into the ER," she said looking down at her clipboard then back up at us expectantly.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Rikka," I said. "What were the complaints?"
"Apparently you treated a firefighter yourself?" she said raising an eyebrow. "Is this correct, Miss Pierce?"
"Oh no, ma'am," I said shaking my head vigorously. "I simply went to the back room to get him some gauze and he followed me."
"And why did you allow him to follow you?" Mrs. Rikka asked. "You are aware that you are not licensed to treat patients in any way, aren't you, Miss Pierce?"
"Yes, ma'am," I said feeling the heat creeping up into my face as I tried to explain what had happened. "I didn't allow him to follow me, he just did."
"Miss Pierce, when you are working in my hospital, you are expected to follow the rules set out by the board of hospital administrators who are far more knowledgeable and experienced than you are," she said sharply as she tapped out a staccato rhythm on her clipboard. "I expect that you will do what is expected of you and that I will not have to reprimand you again regarding your treatment of patients in this hospital. Right now, you are an intern who is here gaining experience through observation. You are never ever to treat a patient."
"But I didn't--," I protested.
"Do not argue with me, Miss Pierce," Mrs. Rikka said cutting me off. "Simply acknowledge that you've made a mistake and move forward."
"Yes, ma'am," I said quietly.