Page 4 of Mated By the Pack
“Miss me?” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
“You won’t miss me? Just a little?” he laughs. “You’re better because of me.”
“In what way?” I feel another simmer, but this is a heat that creeps up my neck—anger. Clyde is trying to take credit for my accomplishments. The audacity…
“Before I came along, you were the best. You didn’t have any competition,” Clyde says. “You started putting in more hours and studying harder after you felt challenged.”
It’s true, but I don’t want to acknowledge it. Still, Clyde is being friendly. This is different from how he acts at work. I let my guard down a little and nod.
“Yeah, fine. You pushed me a little,” I sigh, noticing Abigail approaching out of the corner of my eye.
“Hey, Lena and I are going to head home,” Abigail says as she walks up to us. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah, I think so,” I say, reaching for my glass.
“Aw, so early? The night’s still young,” Clyde says, his tone smooth. “Stay a little longer. Just for one more drink.”
Clyde could never convince me to stay, but the doors open, and Director Regina walks into the bar. Abigail notices and her eyes get wide. She grips my arm, and it isn’t playful this time.
“Actually, you should probably stay,” she says, her voice lowering. “Just for a bit.”
“Yeah,” I say, feeling my stomach twist into a knot.
I’m tired. My supplements are wearing off. The alcohol is helping, but my shadow still seems disconnected. The fraying around the edges splits another thread. Everything just feels… wrong. Like the floor is uneven and nobody else notices. But I can’t run out the door the second Director Regina walks in, especially since she is approaching us.
“Nurse Calla and Nurse Clyde,” she says pleasantly. “Good to see you two getting along for a change.”
“Calla’s the best,” Clyde says, more sweetness in his voice than normal. “We were just talking about how much she’s going to miss me after she’s gone.”
“Nothing has been decided yet,” Director Regina says. “But I didn’t come here to talk about work. Not tonight. Tonight, I’m celebrating.”
“So, it’s true?” Clyde asks. “You’re…”
“The new director of Haven North General Hospital,” Director Regina says proudly. “I start next month.”
“That’s amazing!” Clyde’s face lights up. “That means we’ll get to work together again soon!”
Schmoozing. I need to get in this conversation before Clyde runs away with it.
“Yes, congratulations!” I say, forcing the words past the tightness in my throat. “You deserve it. You’ve helped so many students over the years…” There’s dampness gathering in my eyes. Tears? Oh, no. I grab my drink, down a gulp, and take a deep breath. “They’re so lucky to have you.”
Clyde orders Director Regina a drink. I should have done that, but it’s too late. I’m just trying to keep it together. Anger, tears… the strange feelings I had earlier. I may need to call Dr. Thomas tonight. There’s an emergency number, and this feels like one. Or maybe I’ll be fine after I get some rest. I worked hard this week, and fatigue can be an emotional drain. That’s it. It has to be. I’m just really, really tired.
“I think you may have had a little too much Green Syrup tonight,” Director Regina says, taking her first sip.
“No, Calla barely drank,” Clyde says, putting a hand over his mouth and yawning. “But if she’s feeling like I am, the week is catching up.”
What happened to staying for another drink because the night is still young? Is he… saying this for me? But why? Normally, he’d pounce on an opportunity to point out a flaw if it could make him look better.
“Don’t stay late on my account,” Director Regina says. “I’m meeting some friends…” She turns as the door opens. “And there they are. If you two will excuse me.”
Director Regina’s friends don’t work at the hospital, or if they do, I don’t recognize them. The fact Clyde seems disinterested is a pretty good indicator they aren’t important to our future. That means I can leave. I push my unfinished drink toward the bartender and grab my purse.
“I’m going to go,” I say absently as I get up from my stool.
“Yeah, me too,” Clyde says, downing his drink and following me to the door.
I feel another twinge in my stomach when I step outside. It causes my right knee to tremble, and I almost lose my balance, but put a hand on the wall. Clyde looms over me immediately, casting a shadow that makes mine disappear.
