Page 42 of Fractured

“I’d like to introduce our next speaker. He was a last-minute substitute for Dr. Morgan, and we appreciate his willingness to step in to support the PA community by providing a lecture onCommon Sports Injuries in the Adolescent Population. He’s an orthopedist with Dr. Morgan’s practice in Richmond, Virginia, specializing in sports medicine. His primary focus in clinical practice is shoulder-related injuries. He graduated top of his class at the Medical College of Virginia and went on to be the Chief resident in orthopedics at Johns Hopkins. Would you please welcome, Dr. G. Nicholas Barnes?”

My head snaps up from my phone as the audience greets the last person I wanted to see with a round of applause.What. The. Fuck? Is this really happening?I look toward Justin and whisper, “Did you know he was going to be here instead of Morgan?”

“I only just found out about it. I don’t know much about him, to be honest. He kind of keeps to himself at the office. I guess it’s just as well, Dr. Morgan had a lot on his plate and wasn’t invested in giving his lecture.”

I hear Nick clear his throat. As I look up from where Justin and I have our heads bowed together, whispering about this unwelcome change in speakers, I see he’s focused on me. He’s sporting a look of ire on his stupid sexy face.What the heck? I’m a PA at a PA conference. You weren’t even supposed to be here. Why’re you looking at me like that?It dawns on me this look could be about Justin.

As Nick opens his lecture, he’s dolling out the charm. Giving the women in the front of the room his saucy smile.Ugh!He advises he’s taken it upon himself to make copies of his PowerPoint since the last-minute change didn’t allow his presentation to be uploaded into our syllabus. I watch as he coyly asks a young attractive woman in the front row if she wouldn’t mind handing them out for him. I watch as she and many of the women in attendance all start to whisper and giggle.Yeah, yeah. He’s hot. But he knows it, which is not so hot. Plus, he’s a dick. So, there’s that.

As he continues to speak, I try to tune out his annoyingly sensual voice and refuse to make eye contact with him. I hear several attempts at humor which, again, have the females giggling. I, for one, cannot stop my eye roll and don’t care if he notices. Deciding to test out my theory about Justin, I reach over and lay my hand on his arm and lean into him. I try to think of something to say, but quite honestly, I’m just hoping to irritate Nick.

“Ms. Kelly. Would you mind coming up here to help demonstrate this particular test for everyone?”What the heck? Yes, I mind. I guess that little move with Justin backfired.

Not wanting to make a scene, I stand from my seat and make my way to the front of the room. As I approach, I continue to avoid making eye contact and turn toward the audience. He’s supposed to be demonstrating a test, so I certainly don’t have to talk to him. Suddenly, I notice he’s crouched down by my feet.

“Ms. Kelly, would you mind having a seat in this chair so I can demonstrate the Lachman test?” He points to the chair behind me. “The Lachman Test is commonly used in orthopedic examinations to test for anterior cruciate ligament integrity.” I watch as he lifts my skirt and places his muscular hands on my leg, rubbing slightly before moving one hand behind my knee as he demonstrates attempting to push it forward. After he’s completed the explanation, I notice he continues to leave his hand behind my leg as he speaks, gently squeezing.Jeez, this guy.As he returns to standing, he places his hand on my left shoulder. I look up at him with a glare. He quickly turns to me and says, “Thank you, Ms. Kelly.”Ugh!I’m almost as annoyed at him as I am myself for loving the feel of his strong hands against my skin, for relishing that spark, even for just a few moments.

The rest of his lecture is completed uneventfully. As he’s the last one of the day, I begin gathering my things. I cannot wait to get out of here. He finishes speaking, and everyone claps, so I whisper to Justin. “Hey, I’m headed back to my room. I think a bunch of folks are going to the bar later. You want to meet there around 7:00?”

“Sure. I’ll see ya there, Kat.” Justin smiles at me, and I swiftly make my way for the door. Justin seems like a nice guy. He’s a little stiff and full of himself but still nice enough. But I’m not interested in any man I might have to see at my job. Never again.

* * *

I get out of the shower, dress for the bar and pick up my phone, surprised Nick hasn’t texted. I expected some effort to see or talk to me after coming up here to do that lecture. There’s no way his being here is a coincidence. I apply my makeup and hope he’s finally gotten the message.I want nothing more to do with you.Grabbing my room key, I place it in my cross-body purse and head for the door. I’m wearing dark jeans, a flowy top, and short black leather boots. I had a light snack in preparation for a few drinks tonight, but plan to deadbolt my door.Wouldn’t want to go anywhere. Good lord.I haven’t had any more episodes of waking in disarray since discontinuing the sleeping aid, so I’m leaning toward that being the culprit.

Spotting Justin at the bar, I walk over to him and start to speak until he leans back, and I notice none other than Nick Barnes sitting on the barstool next to him.Are you freaking kidding me?

“Hey, Kat. Hope you don’t mind. I invited Dr. Barnes to join us for a drink?”

Uh, yeah. I do mind. I mind a lot.

“Ms. Kelly. It’s nice to see you. Thanks again for helping me out this afternoon,” he says, appearing sincere. He’s wearing a starched white dress shirt, the top button undone to reveal a hint of the firm pecs beneath, the sleeves rolled up displaying his magnetic veiny forearms.

“Uh-huh.” I’m so irritated, I cannot get anything else out.

“Can I get you a drink, Kat?” Justin asks.

I grab ahold of his arm. “Yes, please. Can I have a greyhound?” I feel like something tart will go along with my current sour mood, so the grapefruit juice and gin should hit the spot. I look around the bar and notice some other conference attendees and decide to take this time to introduce myself. I’m not normally this extroverted, but I have to step away before I lose it.

As I’m chatting with a PA from southwest Virginia, I feel a hand on my back. A frisson of current travels from my back to my groin, and I instantly know who it is. Looking over my shoulder, Nick has his mouth next to my ear. “Brought you your drink.” Looking down, I notice he’s holding my cocktail.

“Thanks,” I answer flatly.

I suddenly feel an arm wrap around my waist, and I tense up. As I turn to say something, I realize it’s Justin’s. Normally, I’d politely withdraw myself from this situation, but I’m willing to put up with Justin if it’ll keep Nick in his place.

“Some of the guys are headed to a club not too far from here. You interested?” I ask Justin. “I really want to dance.”

“I’m not much of a dancer, but sure, I’ll go.”

“Great.”

We head for the door, looking for a cab, and I notice Nick has saddled up to a few of the women from the conference. I try to ignore the irritation I feel at knowing I’m being quickly replaced as the target of his affection. They appear to be joining us on this trip to the club as they all stand and follow us toward the door.Whatever. I can be the bigger person. Let him try his games with someone else.

Nick

“Come on,” Kat says to Justin, pulling him onto the dance floor. “I want to dance.” “We Found Love” by Rihanna begins, and Kat starts to move. I lean against the bar nursing my drink, wishing like hell it was me out there.I hate to dance, but I’d give anything to be holding her.I excuse myself from this chick that won’t stop talking and stroking my arm. It’s my own fault. In my attempt to follow the group so I could stay close to Kat, I started chatting up the women who were in the audience this morning. But I can’t seem to ditch this one.

“It was nice to see you, Katie,” I say as I start to walk away.

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