"You should come out with us sometime," Violet said. I knew she was after something other than a date with me because there was a hard look in her eyes as she issued the invitation.
"Yeah, well, my schedule's pretty booked these days," I said, looking over Violet's shoulder and trying to catch Alex's eye again. Alex refused to look up from the chart she was reading, and I knew I was going to have to do some explaining later. As a polite afterthought, I added, "But thanks for the invite."
"I see," Violet said, narrowing her eyes, then remembering she had an audience, she laughed lightly as she said, "Well, if you change your mind, we'll be over at Ricky's Diner for breakfast later."
"Uh huh, thanks," I said as I moved around the three girls and headed toward Alex. I stood behind her and quietly said, "I can explain all that. I don't know her, but I have done business with her father. It's nothing."
"Hey, no big deal," Alex said with a forced smile. "You gotta do what you gotta do."
"Alex, don't be like that," I said as she turned back to her file and ignored me. "I'm still picking you up at seven, so dress up, okay?"
"Uh huh, sure, I'll be ready," she said as she picked up the file and moved behind the desk, pointedly ignoring me.
"Fine, if you're going to be that way, then it's going to be a quiet night for us both, but I'm still picking you up at seven!" I said a little more loudly than I'd intended causing the staff behind the desk to look up.
"I'll be ready," Alex said before she walked away from the desk.
I marched out of the ER and back to the truck where Tesla lay curled up sleeping in the front seat. I started the truck and then slammed my fists on the steering wheel as I muttered, "Women!"
Tesla lifted her head up off of her paw and let out one quiet "Woof!" before she put her head back down.
"Not you, too?" I said in an exasperated tone. She ignored me the whole ride home.
Chapter Sixteen
Alex
After Cam left the ER, I went to find Liz. Leslie had been gone looking for her for a long time, and I'd started to get worried. As I walked down the hallway toward the pharmacy, Liz rounded the corner looking much better than she had a few hours before.
"Are you okay?" I asked with genuine concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Liz said, waving me off as she looked down. I could tell she was embarrassed, but I had no idea what had happened. "Just wasn't feeling very good earlier."
"That's bullshit and you know it," I said, grabbing her arm and forcing her to look at me. "What's going on with you, Liz? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry, Alex," she said, looking very apologetic. "I don't know what's going on, I just felt incredibly tired."
"Liz, if you have a problem..." I began not knowing how to say what I was about to say. "If you have a drug problem, I can get you help, you know."
"Me? A drug problem?" Liz said incredulously. "Jesus H. Christ, Pierce, not you, too!"
"What? You were acting strange, Liz!" I shot back as she moved away from me crossing her arms over her chest and setting her jaw.
"I don't have a drug problem," Liz said again. "I thought you were my friend."
"I am your friend, and if you have a problem, I'll help you," I pleaded. "Just tell me what's going on!"
"Go to hell, Alex," Liz said as she wiped angry tears from her cheeks before turning her back and walking away.
"What did I do?" I shouted after her. "I just want to help!"
I threw up my hands and walked back to the ER where Leslie cheerfully informed me that my shift was over and I was free to go. I went to the locker room to gather my things hoping that Liz would be there so we could talk about what had happened, but she was gone. Her locker was open and empty, and as I pulled on my coat, I wondered if I should pick up breakfast and take it to her place as a peace offering.
"Hey, Alex," Leslie called as she ran after me hold the gold box containing the roses Cam had brought. "Don't forget your flowers!"
"Oh, yeah, thanks," I said, taking the box and tucking it under my arm.
"You okay?" Leslie asked. "You look a little down."