Page 27 of The Hooker

“That I agree with.” He snorts and shakes his head. “Don’t know why he didn’t text you about it, at least. Too excited maybe.”

“Yeah, maybe.” I smile. In a way, it’s almost flattering that he tried to organise it. He must have done it after we fell asleep together. From that one moment, he decided he wanted Adam as his physio so we could continue.

“Just think about it. He didn’t do it to be malicious. He’s just an idiot.”

I laugh and shake my head. “I’ll think about it.”

I’ve already been thinking about it, and I need a meeting with Linda.

CHAPTERNINE

Daisy

The day before our final test match with Australia, an email lights up my phone with a meeting request for later today with Linda.

Everything has been hectic preparing for the last game of the championship, and I keep forgetting to contact her to request a meeting. Somehow, she’s managed to find the only free spot in my schedule. I chew on my lip and click add to calendar. Did she know I wanted a meeting through osmosis and her bloodhound nose? Or is it a direct result of her discussion with Jamie? My stomach swoops. I don’t think it will be anything bad. If I’m fired, she wouldn’t be the one telling me. I think. Would someone higher than Linda tell me if I’m fired or would Adam do it? Or Alex?

I shudder at the thought of Alex firing me.

There’s no point in worrying until I’m in the meeting and know what it’s about. And I can always mention Jamie and request the form while I’m there. If I’m not about to lose my job.

I’ve worked for the national team for three years, an opportunity of a lifetime… But if I am fired, I could still be with Jamie. Even though rules about dating former patients are hazy, itshouldbe fine. Unless my licence is revoked, I could open my own practice and treat athletes on my own schedule and not fly internationally every few weeks. I could spend more time with Westley and wouldn’t miss Violet growing up. But it would also mean I left my dream job. With a shit ton of gossip following me.

But if Jamie was there, it would be worth it.

If they ask me to leave, I will absolutely fight for my job, but if I lose andhaveto leave, it doesn’t seem as scary anymore. As long as my licence isn’t revoked. I grind my teeth and leave the medic room to attend the meeting.

Technically, as soon as something happened, I was removed as his physio, so there was a minimal breach of conduct. Admittedly, it’s not great the line was crossed—especially since I was stupid and gave him a blowjob the next day when I thought he was still my patient—but Jamie and Suli were right. Because Jamie removed himself as my patient the day after something happened and signed the form, we’re both somewhat protected.

He was right to sign them.

Am I frustrated there wasn’t a discussion first? Yes. But because the form is signed on his end as I walk into Linda’s office, it means I’m more protected and less likely to lose my job. He was right, and when this meeting is over, I need to have a conversation with him. No matter what happens.

Iwillhave a conversation.

“Hi, Daisy. How are you today?” Linda asks, pushing her glasses higher up her nose. The beaded glasses strap clinks against her gold hoops and she smiles softly at me. She’s wearing a blue-grey blouse that compliments her lightly tanned skin and blonde highlights.

It’s a good start if she’s smiling. I sit in the leather chair in front of her tidy desk. “I’m good, thank you. Yourself?”

“Making sure people sign contracts and disclosure forms before they do something idiotic like usual.” She puts a ream of paper down with a crack and leans forward, crossing her arms on the desk. “Now, I’ve called this meeting to discuss Jamison Atoa with you. You’ll have noticed he was switched off your patient roster and Suliasi Uhi was given to you instead.”

I nod. “In South Africa, yes.”

“Yes, I wanted to discuss with youwhyit happened.”

I swallow harshly. “All right.”

Linda frowns gently and purses her lips. “Jamison requested the declaration of personal relationship form to sign and wanted to be removed as your patient so he could potentially pursue a relationship with you. He didn’t mention your feelings. I want to know if you’re aware of this and if he hasat any timemade you uncomfortable,” Linda says seriously, her voice hard and unyielding.

I shake my head quickly. “No, no, he hasn’t. He’s one of my closest friends. He’s never done anything to harm me. He wouldn’t.” This was not the direction I thought the meeting would go.

Linda’s icy eyes narrow and scrutinise me. “Good. If anything changes, you let me know. About anyone. My second question is if you want to sign the relationship form? If you don’t, that’s fine. He was removed as your patient to protect you both and it will stay that way regardless of your feelings. There is zero pressure. This meeting is to ensure you’re aware of what’s happening and give you an opportunity to speak.”

“If I sign the form, it means we can have a relationship without penalty?”

“Correct. It’s a little dicey considering you were one of his medical providers, and I swear to god if anything happened more than a few days before at least his form was signed, we’ll have a real shitshow on our hands, and your licence will be up for debate with the disciplinary board.”

“It didn’t.” Not really. Jamie signed the form the day after we fell asleep in my hotel room, and I was rightly removed as his physio. The blowjob after they won is more of a grey area, but it helps I wasn’t his physio by then.

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