Page 80 of Crash: Love in Scrubs
“You mean Moniece?” Malik’s voice was ice cold. “The same Moniece I’ve been turning down for a year. The one who’s been bitter ever since I made it clear I wasn’t interested? Can’t be but continue.”
Rebecca’s confident expression faltered slightly, but she pressed on. “That’s just one source. We have documentation showing that your relationship with Ms. Andrews began while you were treating her son, which violates our ethical guidelines regarding relationships with patients’ families.”
“My son isn’t a patient anymore,” I said, finding my voice. “He’s been cleared for months.”
“But Dr. Holloway is still overseeing his physical therapy,” Janet said gently. “Technically, the professional relationship is ongoing. And Dr. Holloway we will need a statement on your fight with Ashe Lowe on…” she said checking her notes. “On, June 15th.”
Malik leaned forward, his college-educated voice coming out. “Show me the hospital policy that specifically prohibits relationships with family members of patients. Not the general ethics guidelines—the specific policy. Secondly, I don’t have a statement because I never put my hands on him while at work. That didn’t happen.”
Rebecca shuffled through her papers, and I could see her growing flustered. “Well, it’s not explicitly stated, but…”
“But nothing. Either there’s a policy or there isn’t.” Malik’s eyes were sharp, focused. “And since there isn’t one, we’re talking about a judgment call, not a violation.”
“Dr. Holloway,” Janet said, her voice taking on a warning tone, “the board of directors takes these matters very seriously.While there may not be a specific written policy, the appearance of impropriety…”
“The appearance?” I stood up, my anger finally overriding my shock. “Let me understand this, we’re being punished for how things look, not for anything we actually did wrong?”
“Please sit down, Ms. Andrews,” Rebecca said condescendingly.
“Don’t tell me to sit down.” My voice was rising; I didn’t care about being in this office. I’d been respectful but I didn’t back down from anyone. “You called me here, disrupted my day, showed me private photos that someone clearly obtained illegally, and now you’re telling me it’s about appearances? When no one cares but y’all? And this bitch right here cares too damn much. Don’t get your eyes knocked straight, Rebecca. You been on some other shit since I walked in. Be careful playing with, or my mugshot is the next picture you’ll see.”
Malik reached for my hand again, but I pulled away. The word “extortion” was still ringing in my ears. He’d known about this. He’d known someone was threatening us and hadn’t told me.
“Ms. Andrews, we understand this is difficult,” Janet said, trying to regain control of the situation. “But pending a full investigation, Dr. Holloway you will be suspended without pay.”
“Suspended?” Malik’s calm facade finally cracked. “Based on what? The word of a vindictive ex-colleague and some illegally obtained photos?”
“Based on the need to maintain the integrity of this institution,” Rebecca said with the same satisfied tone she’d been giving. “You’ll surrender your badge and access cards immediately.”
“Y’all better hope I calm down and don’t seek legal counsel while y’all make your mind up. Seeing that I’d rather losemy career than lose her, I’m respectfully bowing out. Jobs are replaceable, she’s not. Do what you gotta do.”
In the back of my mind, one thought kept circling: Malik had known this was coming and hadn’t warned me.
The room fell silent except for the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. Everything we’d planned, all the time we’d spent, the routines we’d created were being ripped away by strangers in suits who didn’t know us, didn’t care about us.
I wanted to be upset with him, to stand united against this bullshit they were putting us through. I wanted to be his ride-or-die at this moment, but how could I fight beside someone who’d kept me in the dark? But I’d learned the hard way that love without accountability was just pretty lies wrapped in good intentions. I’d spent seventeen years rebuilding myself after someone else’s betrayal, I wasn’t about to let history repeat itself, even with a man I loved this much.
Partnerships built on secrets always crumbled when the pressure hits. And right now, I felt more like a liability he’d tried to protect than the woman he’d chosen to build with.
I was fucking livid.
“Fuck,” I said as Sametra snatched away from me in the hospital parking lot. My baby was hotter than fish grease and I understood, but she wouldn’t even let me speak. I had turned my badge and access cards in, cleaned out my desk because to be honest, even if St. Ambrose said I could come back, I wouldn’t. I planned to take this as a sign that it was time to get into the private sector full-time. Fuck ‘em. Their loss.
Sametra parked in her driveway and so did I. She was walking so fast to get into the house, her heels clicking against the pavement like gunshots. She slammed the screen door in my face, and I groaned.
“Baby.”
“Don’t fucking baby me. You made me look like a fool. You knew and said nothing.”
I followed her inside, watching her pace back and forth in the living room like a caged animal. Her dress was wrinkled from gripping the steering wheel, her makeup smudged from crying, and she looked ready to throw something.
“What was I supposed to say, Sametra? Your bum-ass baby daddy watched me make love to you and submitted photos because I refused to give him fifty grand?”
“Yeah, exactly like that. Don’t try and make me out to be crazy.”
We stood there looking at each other for a while as she allowed the words to hit her damn brain.
“Wait, this was Ashe?”
