Page 19 of The Exception

His father snorted. “I still don’t understand why you got out. You were already a special forces sergeant making more than the average paramedic.”

Apparently, this nice family dinner was going to turn into exactly what he’d expected when he’d gotten the invite.

“We all can’t be renowned neurologists like you, Dad. I served my country and now I want to help people in my community. It’s not about the money.”

“It’s always ‘not about the money’ until you can’t pay your bills.”

There was no point in explaining to his dad that most of the money he’d earned over a decade in the army had gone straight into an investment account on the advice of a guy he’d met in boot camp. He still had a decent nest egg even after putting a nice down payment on the townhouse and buying his truck, but as far as his dad was concerned, it wouldn’t be enough.

He laughed in an effort to keep things light. “Don’t worry. I won’t need to ask you for any money.”

If he had to work twenty-three hours a day, he’d make sure that statement stayed true.

“We’ll see about that. Either way, I am glad to see you doing something with your life, even if you could’ve been so much more.”

More.It was always more with his dad. It didn’t matter that he’d earned distinguished service medals while serving, or that he was committed to using the skills he’d learned to continue helping people. All that mattered to Jack Travis was that his son hadn’t picked a path he could brag about to his friends.

Trying his best to not let his dad get to him, Trav pushed his food around on his plate, wondering how long he had to stay so he wouldn’t be accused of eating and running.

His father cleared his throat. “How are things with your preceptor since our chat?”

He tried his best to stifle the glare he wanted to shoot across the table. That little stunt had been more than a little infuriating. Though, he couldn’t help but notice after his father had left, it was the first time Nurse Pope had spoken to him like he was more than a thorn in her side. He knew she wasn’t the type to be swayed by his father’s theatrics, and that was the last thing he wanted, but it didn’t suck to know he wasn’t her least favorite member of the Travis family anymore.

“Things are fine,” he replied. “So that can be the last of your meddling.”

His father gave him an indulgent smile. “I don’t have to remind you that you’re coming into my hospital and there are certain expectations that go along with the Travis name.”

Trav had done everything except crawl on his hands and knees and beg to avoid having to do his practical rotation at the hospital where his father was on the board. Now, he was wondering if his pride could’ve taken the hit just to avoid this conversation.

He bit out, “I am aware.”

His father peered at him over the rim of his glasses just like he always had when he was lecturing him about any mistake he’d made. “Don’t act like I’m out of line for being concerned after what happened before.”

Trav stared at his plate as memories of the seventeen-year-old version of himself, angry and looking for ways to undercut his father’s already low expectations of him, flooded his mind. He’d definitely been looking for attention with the friends he chose, and the things he did, and when it all came to a head, he deserved every bit of the consequences he endured. But didn’t he deserve at least some credit for turning it around?

“That was a long time ago.”

Incredulous, his father asked, “Is that supposed to make what you did okay?”

Trav shrugged. “No. I just thought it would’ve earned me some grace. I’m not a kid anymore.”

“I was prepared to call in every favor I had to get you into Virginia Tech—myalma mater, but you chose to just throw it all away.”

“How could I forget? You remind me every chance you get,” Trav grumbled.

Jack laughed humorlessly. “Maybe remembering how you messed up your life in ways I couldn’t have imagined will prevent you from making the same mistakes again.”

“You look at me going into the army as me messing up my life, I look at it as the best thing I ever did,” he argued.

“It’s not about the army. We’ve had military men in this family before, but they were officers out of VMI, not disappointments who had to join the service as a last resort.”

The words made Trav flinch almost as if he’d been slapped. Deep down he’d known that was what his dad thought of him, but hearing it said out loud stung like a bitch.

Shelly chose that moment to try diffusing the situation by asking, “Are you boys ready for dessert? I have a cheesecake in the kitchen.”

Trav felt bad for her, but it was definitely too late for cheesecake. He rose from his chair and tossed his napkin on his plate, glaring at his father. All of that old anger came bubbling up to the surface and he needed to get out of there before his training failed him.

“Rest easy, Dad. This disappointment will make sure anything I screw up doesn’t reflect on your pristine reputation at the hospital.”

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