Page 37 of Moonshot

Ava

“What are you doing?” I ask, flabbergasted at the realization this is Joseph Stark and not Mick. “Have you lost your mind?”

Looking up, I note Dr. Stark has his hands up as if he is being held at gunpoint.

“Calm down, Ava. I was just checking on you since Joanie said you hadn’t felt well all week. I’m going to need to head out soon to get ready for this evening and needed to make sure you weren’t going to let me down.”

“Well, unlike Justin, who’s allowed to take a sick day, it didn’t sound as if I was afforded the same basic courtesy. And the next time you want to check on me, do it with your words and not your hands.” I cross my arms across my chest in complete disgust. “I need you to know, Dr. Stark, the last few months have been very difficult for me. I come to work and do my job despite my chronic migraines, and you’ve made my work environment less than pleasant. I’ll come to the lecture this evening and will be leaving immediately afterward. But I plan to actively start searching for new employment. I’ll give you plenty of notice once I find something, but do not ask me to participate in anything else after hours.” I huff. “And if I cannot make it to work because it’s not safe for me to drive, Iwillcall out sick for the day.” I push myself from the desk and storm past the arrogant asshole toward the front office.Where’s Mick? He should be here by now.Feeling unshed tears collect, I think to myself.I need a hug.

As I attempt to check with Joanie regarding Mick’s whereabouts, I discover she’s gone to lunch. My headache is so incredibly painful after my rant with Dr. Stark, the thought of food makes me want to hurl. I look at the schedule and realize I only have about twenty more minutes before my next patient arrives. I can leave at four to get ready for the abomination of a dinner lecture I’ve been forced to sit through. Thinking this through, I decide to call my mother.

“Hi, Ava. Is everything okay? You don’t normally call me during business hours,” my mother states as soon as she answers.

“Mom, I’m hurting really bad. I’m going to take another pain pill, but I’m not expecting it to work since the last eight I’ve tried haven’t helped. I have to go to a dinner meeting tonight. If I manage to get through that and this headache is still bad, would you mind meeting me at my house? I think I might need to go to the emergency room and get a shot.”

“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry. It must be bad for you to break down and ask for help. Of course, you just call me. Maybe you’ll get lucky, and it’ll break by then. But I’m here if you need me.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I hang up the call and fight to prevent the tears from flowing. That’s the very last thing this headache needs. Plus, if they start, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop them in time for this dinner tonight.

* * *

The rest of the afternoon moves along at a snail’s pace. I feel like I can barely concentrate with the pressure in my skull. I feel like someone is trying to crack my head open with a nutcracker. I finish up my last few patients and immediately head for home. Once there, I take a long, hot shower and drink a large glass of water. I try taking a potent anti-inflammatory and a dissolvable nausea pill. Anything to help stave off the worst of this headache. I’m dressed, sitting on the edge of my bed, ready to go with twenty minutes to spare, when I notice my folded laundry sitting in my rattan basket next to the dresser. The Washington Nationals T-shirt proudly sitting on top.Mick. What happened to him today?I decide to shoot off a quick text before I leave.

5:25 p.m.

Ava: Hey, I miss you. I was looking forward to seeing you today.

Watching my phone screen for what feels like an hour, I realize it’s actually only been about ten minutes. Nothing. Maybe he’s busy. I decide to shoot him one more message before I go.

5:35 p.m.

Ava: I wanted to thank you for my beautiful flowers. I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. I haven’t felt well. I’ll explain when we talk next. I’ve got to run to a work dinner I’m dreading. Hopefully, we can catch up later.

5:35 p.m.

Ava: Message failed to send.

That’s odd. I check my wi-fi and that my phone is working by calling my home number. I

copy my message and try to send it again.

5:41 p.m.

Ava: Message failed to send.

I just send an emoji this time, thinking the message was too long. Again, I receive the same

message. Suddenly, it hits me. I’ve been blocked.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Mick

Is she fucking kidding me?I miss you.I’m done with this shit. I immediately block her number from my phone.

Once I’d bared witness to her two-timing behavior, I backed from the door like I’d been struck with a two-by-four. I could barely breathe. What the hell is wrong with this girl? And me, for thinking I’d found someone different than Paula.

Was this some kind of fucking game? Had she been looking for some kink on the side? Because I’m sure as hell Dr. Dick isn’t giving her the orgasms I’ve given her. My blood felt like it was going to boil over at the sight of them. I had to get the hell out of there.

---