Page 97 of The Exception

If she’d talk to him. After what she’d said in that closet, he wasn’t sure.

The first hour of his shift was balls to the wall. Two new admits and a patient who needed a transport. Trav hadn’t had a moment to talk to Sonya other than in passing. It was torture, knowing things weren’t right between them and they couldn’t even discuss it.

When they’d finally caught a break to breathe, he let his arm brush hers as they turned the corner to the pharmacy, making sure it was completely undetectable to anyone who might have seen, but enough so she’d know it was intentional.

It was a peace offering and he prayed she’d take it.

To his relief, she stopped and turned to him.

“Can we talk, please?”

She glanced around the hall and lowered her voice. “Trav—”

“Intern Travis.” The sound of heels on tile and Abi Chen’s voice interrupted them. He quickly shoved his hands in his pockets.

He cleared his throat and replaced what he was sure was a desperate expression with his most professional smile. “Yes?”

“I need to see you in my office.” She looked at Sonya, her mouth a flat line. “Nurse Pope, join us.”

He nearly groaned. Talk about shit timing. This might be the only chance he had all day to clear the air with Sonya. He didn’t have time for some admin meeting or schedule revision, which was about the only time he met with Nurse Chen.

“Of course, Abi.” Sonya nodded, falling into step with her boss. She tossed a quick look over her shoulder but Trav couldn’t read it. Was it awe’ll talk laterlook or asaved by the belllook?

It didn’t matter, though. When Nurse Chen opened the door to her office, Trav forgot all about how to get back in Sonya’s good graces. There was someone else there to worry about.

Jack Travis leaned against the back wall, fiddling with his watch and Trav’s stomach dropped. He knew that smug look peeking out from his father’s downturned face. If his father was pleased to be there, Trav was about to be displeased.

What the fuck was happening?

“Take a seat.” Nurse Chen gestured to Sonya first, and she took the chair closest to the desk.

Trav ignored the directive, his hackles up. He’d always taken his ass-chewings standing up. Why quit now?

Nurse Chen folded her hands on the table. “It’s come to my attention, Ben—”

“Trav,” he bit out.

She paused, her face tightening. “Intern Travis, it’s come to my attention that you’ve exhibited some serious misjudgment when it comes to one of our patients, Frank Devers. It’s been reported to me that you made a visit to him at his halfway house last week. Now, I know you and Frank have developed a rapport, but hospital policy prohibits outside contact with patients—”

“He wasn’t a patient anymore.”

“Trav,” Sonya whispered. He shot her a look. Apparently it was three against one.

Abi continued. “He wasn’t currently under our care but that was because he left AMA. We don’t treat patients at their homes, and you don’t treat patients at all.”

Trav shook his head. This was incredible. He wasn’t treating anyone. He was helping another human being. Just like the plane, when Sonya had accused him of impersonating a doctor because he’d seen to someone’s obvious need.

Wait.Was this just like the plane?

Something in his chest cracked wide open at the reminder.She wouldn’t have.

He tried to catch Sonya’s eye but she was staring at the corner of the room like she was completely outside of the conversation.

“Was that your plan?” Abi asked him. “To provide mental health services outside of this hospital, outside of the supervision of your preceptor?”

“Of course not. I went there as a friend. Someone who understands him. Frank responds to me because we have something in common. I wasn’t trying to treat him, I was trying to convince him to come back here and get the help he needs.” He looked at Sonya. “And it worked.”

“This is your problem, Ben,” Jack said. “You make a mistake and instead of owning it, you get angry and defiant. You’re barely through this program. Who are you to say what worked and what didn’t?”

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