Page 21 of Reckless
“Violet’s right,” Millie agreed. “You’ve been down this road, and he was in shock yesterday.”
Violet took a sip from the water I held for her before adding, “If you can’t make up your mind, when he freaks out again you know the nurses’ll come to you first.”
“What, like I’m the expert in everything Gage Strickland?” I threw up my hands. “That’s probably not the best plan. He’s a different person from the boy I knew.”
Those words left such a bitter taste in my mouth, I could hardly stand it. Truth be known, I missed the boy, wanted to know the man. Still, I had no intention of crossing his path today, being in the same building was enough.
“I’m going to check on my next patient.”
“By the way…” A smile played on Millie’s lips. “You look lovely today.”
“Yes you do, dear,” Violet tittered then dissolved into a coughing fit, and this time it was Millie who held the water up for her to sip.
I rolled my eyes and turned quickly, speed walking down the hall. It was embarrassing they’d noticed how much effort I’d put in. Just because Gage was around. How stupid. He surrounded himself with the best-looking women on the planet, how would a bit of mascara matter?
I did my rounds with my usual quick efficiency but couldn’t stop my brain from darting back to Gage and his mom. I was distracted, constantly aware thathewas in the building, almost as if I could feel the air move with each of his heartbeats. Ridiculous.
I worked harder to immerse myself in my work.
“You had your lunch yet?” Millie demanded from behind me, making me jump as I opened the door to the mini kitchen to get a ginger ale for a patient. “It’s nearly two.”
“It is?” I glanced at my watch. “Okay, Work Mom. I’ll get something now.”
“Leave this building. Go for a walk, or for god’s sake just go talk to him.”
Was I that obvious? My face heated. “I have a packed lunch. I’ll be fine in the breakroom.”
She shot me an unimpressed look and snorted.
But as I walked toward the break room, his voice made me halt like I’d run into a wall.
“I’mnothaving this.” Any desire to avoid him melted away at the pain lacing his tone. “I can’t just accept this. I have money, if that’s the problem.”
“That isn’t the problem…” Dr. King replied kindly.
“Then what is it?”
I stopped in the doorway, unable to keep my feet from taking me there.
Dr. King stood at Babs’s bedside. Gage was pacing, rubbing the back of his neck. “Maybe I should take Mom to a bigger hospital with better facilities.”
“Youcoulddo that, but I’m afraid it won’t change the answer. I’ve consulted with physicians at General, and they agree. Of course, you’re more than welcome to get a second opinion, but you need to balance your desire for hope against taking her away from everyone she knows and loves.”
“Doesn’t anyone want her to live? Even she’s giving up.” He pulled at his hair, and Gage’s mom watched him from the bed with sad eyes. “That’s half the problem. If she gives up, then the cancer will just take her. I think she needs to go somewhere she might get a more positive answer.”
My heart skipped about ten beats at the sight of his clenched jaw, his hair mussed around his face. He was on a rollercoaster of emotions. I totally understood.
“Yep, that’s actually what I’m going to do. I’m going to make some calls right now. I’ll—”
“Gage…” I called quietly, and he whirled around to face me. “Can I talk to you? I’m just about to head out to lunch. The cafeteria actually has decent food. You want to come?”
“You have to eat,” said his mother, giving me a grateful smile. “Go. We’ll discuss this later.”
He looked like he was about to argue again, then sighed. “Yeah, okay. Since I’m not getting any of the answers I want here, I can make some calls while I’m out.”
“You okay?” I asked when we were alone in the hallway.
He looked at me like I was crazy and continued to rant on the ride down in the elevator. “Can you believe the arrogance of that doctor? Like his opinion is the only one that matters. Surely, another doctor at a cutting-edge hospital might have something more to offer. There’s always someone, somewhere working on experimental treatments, why wouldn’t he look into that? What about the newest holistic approaches? The money doesn’t matter. What’s the point of being rich if I can’t do good with it?”
