Page 41 of Fractured

Olivia looks at me dejected, mirroring how I feel most days now. “I can’t believe it. Really? I thought he’d be different.”

“Yeah, me too, Liv. Me too.”

We spend the rest of the day enjoying the sights of the nation’s capital and a leisurely dinner at the Blackwall Hitch, a seafood restaurant with views of the Potomac near our hotel. Liv has an early morning cab scheduled to take her back to the train station, and registration for my conference will begin at the crack of dawn. We decide it’s best to avoid drinking into the wee hours of the night and head back for a good night’s sleep. I admit I sleep better knowing someone is there with me.

* * *

“Kat, thanks for inviting me to join you. This was so much fun.” Olivia hugs me tightly at the door before heading to the lobby to await her cab.

“Oh, Liv. I love you so much. It meant the world spending yesterday with you.”

Holding my hands in hers, she looks directly into my eyes. “Please promise me you won’t let what happened with you and Nick close you off again.” I look at her, stunned.Why wouldn’t I?“Kat. You deserve that to happen again. Even if it isn’t with him. God, I just can’t believe he didn’t at least try and reach out and give some excuse for why he left. You’re right, he is a dick.”

“I never said he didn’t reach out.”

“Wait, what?”

“Yeah, he’s been texting for weeks. He even sent flowers. Ha, must have gone to the school of Gabe.” I chuckle with indignation.

“Kat. Did you at least hear him out?”

“No. And I’m not going to, Liv. He had all week to reach out. He only apologized when he accidentally bumped into me at work. Then when I didn’t swoon all over him like I’m sure all of the other women in his life do, he’s been texting ever since. It’s a game. I’m sure it’s all about the challenge. I’ve been there. I know how these guys operate. I’m not giving in on this.”

“Okay, Kat. I get it. You have to do what you think is best. I just wish it could’ve worked out.”

“You and me both. But this is apparently the way my life is supposed to go. I’m making the best of it. I finally have a night I can replay in my head… I have a great job and great friends.” I reach to hug her again, hoping this is the end of this conversation. “Now, I need to go and shower so I can make it downstairs in time. Text me when you make it home, so I know you got back okay.”

Waving goodbye, I turn toward the shower. That conversation has churned up emotions I thought I’d managed to get over in the last few weeks. Something tells me the water coming from the rain showerhead won’t be the only droplets spilling down my face. I need to get this out of my system before I head downstairs, so my mind doesn’t drift if these lectures don’t hold my attention.

* * *

“Hey, Kat.” I feel a hand on my elbow as I am pouring cream into my coffee. These lectures are usually quite dull. The main thing keeping me going during these conferences is the coffee and its subsequent effect on my bladder. Looking up, I see Justin.

“Hi. How was your trip? Did you arrive last night or make an early start this morning?”

“Came down this morning. I had to stay late at work last night since I arranged this trip so last minute. It would’ve taken me twice as long in the DC traffic had I driven last night. Did pretty well this morning. Have you gotten a place to sit yet?”

“No, you?”

“Yes. I saved you a seat next to me.”

“Wow. Thanks, bud.”

We walk toward our seats and chat about nothing in particular. Most of the lectures are available via PowerPoint on our laptops and iPads. I’ve found I don’t take many notes unless it’s a subject I’m interested in or an area I need to brush up on. I usually just sit back and listen. Looking through the syllabus, I tell Justin, “It looks like the first part of the day will be pretty heavy stuff. Lots of cardiology and neurology lectures. I’m going to have to keep that coffee coming.”

“Yeah. But it’ll ease up this afternoon with pediatrics and ortho.”

Announcements are made, the first speaker is introduced, and I settle in for a long day. Glad I decided not to drink too much with Olivia last night. After working for so long in our busy ER, it’s hard to transition to sitting for long periods of time.

* * *

Finishing up a brisk walk outside to awaken me for the next lecture, I bend over to stretch my glutes and hamstrings as sitting in this chair all day has made me quite stiff. At least orthopedics is interesting. As I turn and make my way back into the hotel, I see Justin in the lobby and walk toward him.

“Hey, I’m just going to grab a soda to try and keep myself awake. I can’t stomach any more coffee,” I tell him.

“I know. I forgot what it was like to be in school, sitting in a chair all damn day.”

We return to our seats, and I lean into him to show a picture of Olivia I’d taken on my phone in front of the Potomac River as the next speaker is introduced.

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