Page 3 of Ellie 1

But what he was doing risked the whole hospital and that meant the jobs of everyone there. Why didn’t people realize that instead of bitch that I was a hardass and too rigid?

“I heard you laid into Hastings pretty hard,” Dr. Tommy Fitz said after he slipped into my office. When I didn’t say anything, he moved closer and started massaging my shoulders. “A week without payouts is pretty harsh.” He kissed my hair as if that would take the sting out of him chastising me.

Even if he did it with a shoulder rub and kisses… That was what he was still doing. Arguing with the decision at least.

“Nice of you to decide that without knowing the details.”

“He told—”

“You’re not dumb,” I interrupted. “You know Hastings didn’t tell the full situation nor all of his sins.”

He took in a slow breath and leaned in. “You’re right. So what was the real deal?” Him asking annoyed me even more than his original judgment.

“Is this the first time you’re meeting me? When have Ieverbroken confidentiality with you and told the sins of others?”

He chuckled, but I could hear a bit of the annoyance in his tone. “Never. You never break professionalism.”

“No, I don’t. Too many others around here do though. I suggest you stop being one of them before you’re in here for a meeting instead of rubbing my shoulders, Tommy,” I warned him.

His hands froze, but then he let out an awkward chuckle. “I don’t flirt with the moms of my patients to—”

“I’ve never treated you like an idiot, and I’d appreciate you not treating me like one,” I said evenly as I moved my chair so he let me go. “We both know what I’m talking about.” I gave him a side look. “And don’t even insult me by trying to deny it.”

He squirmed a bit but then tried to brush it off. “I didn’t take you for the jealous type but—”

“Oh, gaslighting, huh?” I chuckled darkly, turning to give him my full attention. “This isn’t about beingjealous, Tommy.” I smirked at him. “I know who you are. I’ve always known. I knew before I accepted your advances. This isnotabout being jealous, and I was never stupid enough to think I was the only one you were fucking.”

He frowned. “Then I’m confused. What’s the problem?”

“Theproblemis you need to learndiscretion,” I drawled. “No one knows about us because I made it clear I would bring you pain if they did. Unfortunately, others don’t have that same threat or the actual ammunition to make it happen like I do.” I sighed when he simply stared at me. “You’re a braggart, Tommy.

“The fact you didn’t think I knew when you flaunt your sexcapades all over the hospital is fucking insulting. I’m completely tapped into the hospital. We both know that. I absolutely know the names of the last ten women you’ve slept with.” I snorted. “I bet youIcan name them beforeyou can. You’re that much of a slut.”

He opened his mouth but then closed it.

Yeah, hard to deny the truth. That was for sure.

“But you’re a jerk about it. That is the problem. Yes, you don’t make any promises, but you run your mouth and humiliate people, Tommy.” I held up my hand to hold him off. “The nurses and physician’s assistants are plotting a boycott of you because they’re tired of you treating them with such disrespect. You fuck around with one and then jump the newest hire or transfer.

“And then you run your mouth about them. It’s ridiculous and horribly unprofessional. Honestly, if it was up to me and not the board’s stupid rule, you’d be fired.” I nodded when he couldn’t hide his shock. “You create a hostile work environment, and you are the reason we’ve lost over two dozen employees—male and female.

“You bang them, brag about them in humiliating ways, and then ditch them when new prey shows up. The number of people youhaven’tbeen with in this building is a much shorter list and I have to think to come up with someone. That’s your reputation around here. Everyone knows it. You seriously thought I didn’t?”

It took him a full minute to recover from his shock at how I’d turned the situation and conversation around. “Why are you still sleeping with me if you felt this way and didn’t even respect me?”

I snorted. “What does sex have to do with respect? You clearly don’t respect anyoneyousleep with. Why do I need to?”

“What?” he hissed.

I couldn’t believe this fool. “Tommy, you thought I didn’t know and this was all about me being jealous. So youthoughtyou were doing this all behind my back this whole time.”

“No, I wasn’t cheating because we weren’t exclusive, and we never said—”

“Don’t gaslight me and play games,” I interrupted. “You flinched like you were busted and didn’t think I knew. You were shocked I knew. That’s behind my back no matter what’s between us. That’s disrespectful. We didn’t say we could fuck others either. We didn’t define it which means we didn’t say either way, right?”

“I guess, but it’s not—”

“This isn’t about us and who we’re fucking,” I continued. “It’s about your lack of discretion. It’s about growing up already. You hear nothing about who I’m with around here and—”

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