Page 21 of One for the Money
I huff, placing my fists on my hips. “Because my job is to treat injuries. I would’ve called you once treatment was done, even though I don’t like doing that.”
“The guys all signed HIPAA waivers,” he reminds me. “I have access to their medical records when collected by the circus physician.”
I wave him off as I clamor to my feet. I reach a hand down for Edmund and hoist him up, wrapping my arm around his waist. Enrique and Trevor dart over and take him from me before I even have the chance to wobble.
“Regardless. Edmund needs a week of light duty. Enrique suggested he swap with one of the lighting guys.”
Jude rubs his chin before nodding tightly. “That’s a good idea.” He moves to Edmund’s side, tapping Enrique on the arm and taking over to support him. “Run and go get Chet.”
The Alpha nods at his boss and strides away.
“I’m fine, really,” Edmund is saying. “I don’t need light duty. People walk off sprains all the time.” I’m about to interrupt and scold him for his decision when he tries to put weight on his injured foot and immediately crumples, Trevor and Jude the only things keeping him upright.
“I pay the doctor to take care of you, don’t make her job harder,” Jude grumbles.
It’s only a few minutes before Enrique is back with an Alpha trailing after him. The other Alpha, Chet, is bulky and has a sour look on his face. When he sees me, his lip curls slightly.
“Chet,” Jude says in a no-nonsense tone. “You’re a stagehand this week. Edmund needs to stay off his feet, so he’s doing lighting.”
Chet starts to sputter. “What? No! I worked my way up to lighting. I’m not going back to a grunt job.”
Jude levels him with a glare that I would hate to be on the receiving end of. “Yes, you are. I can’t be down a stagehand. Edmund needs to recover if he’s going to be useful. Doctor’s orders.”
The Alpha swings his head to glare at me. “I don’t thin-”
Jude cuts him off. “I don’t pay you to think. This conversation is over. Let’s go, Trevor.” He and Trevor wobble off, dragging an apologetic Edmund behind them. Enrique gives me a small wave and trails after them. When they’re out of earshot, the Alpha takes several steps toward me.
“You must think you’re special,” he hisses, “being an Omega around a bunch of Alphas. But I’m not going to be one of these assholes falling all over themselves to impress you.”
An exaggerated yawn cracks my face open. “Surething, big guy,” I mutter, taking a few steps away so I can head back to my trailer. A large hand wraps around my forearm and halts me.
Memories assault me, and I have to swallow down a whine.
I’m not there. He’s not them.
“I’m not done talking to you,” he snaps.
“Yes you fucking are,” a voice snaps from behind me. I glance over my shoulder to see the brightly tattooed Dario striding toward us. “Drop the pretty doctor and move on, Chet.”
Chet immediately lets me go and takes a step back, holding out his hands. “I didn’t mean anything by it,” he says, his voice surprisingly apologetic.
Dario rolls his eyes and steps between me and the other Alpha. “I’m sure you didn’t. Head on out.”
“Sorry, Doc. I know you’re not who I should take my anger out on,” he says.
I nod. “It’s fine.”
It’s not fine.
But he seems apologetic, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he’s just upset that he’s gotten a demotion.
Dario grins at me. “Hellooooooo Doc,” he says, in an exaggerated, cartoon manner. “Who got hurt today?”
I roll my eyes. “Just because Jude gets access to all of your records doesn’t mean I’m going to disclose patient information. You can ask around, I’m sure the gossip mill is already running.”
Heaving my bag over my shoulder, I nod at him. “Thanks for the intervention, but I had the situation under control.”
He shrugs and trots after me. “Ah, but there shouldn’t have been a situation for you to control,” he reminds me. “I’m happy to play the role of bodyguard if you need me to.” He flexes his arms, and I can’t look away as the gray shirt slides up his biceps. He’s trim, but there is so much lean strength throughout his body from his acrobatic routine.
