Blurred Lines by KD Williamson (3 page)

Nora stepped back and turned to Sean and Carina McCabe. “Everything looks as it should. She will be in a fair amount of pain. The bullet to her leg didn’t hit bone, but some rehabilitation will be needed to return the muscle to full functionality.”

Carina smiled. “Thank you, Dr. Whitmore.”

Nora returned the smile. “You’re welcome.”

The McCabe family seemed to be genuinely kind, something they extended to everyone who came into their radius, and she didn’t understand why. Why be nice to someone who isn’t in return? Nora brushed the thought aside and left the room in pursuit of something less emotional and a lot safer. Surgery was the first thing—the
only
thing—to spring to mind, but it would have to wait.

Nora marched down the hall to the elevator and pushed the button to call it to her floor. After a few seconds, she heard laughter coming from inside. It stopped when the doors slid open.

Several of the occupants were part of the medical staff. They looked everywhere except at her. Nora stepped in anyway. She was used to the whispers and the stares from the residents and other hospital employees. Sometimes, they called her “iceberg princess.” Other times, it was “queen mean.” Nora refused to be bothered by it. Besides, any reaction would just be fodder for gossip, and Nora had no intensions of feeding that beast.

When the elevator reached her destination, Nora stepped out and left the others to continue their rumormongering. She made an educated guess as to Dr. Rader’s location, the senior resident’s lounge was where he usually spent his perceived downtime, mingling with the other residents. She pushed against the lounge door. Strangely, it was locked. Undeterred, Nora took out her keys and opened it.

Dr. Rader cursed and scrambled from the couch.

Dr. Reed, one of the residents, gasped and struggled to cover herself. As she quickly dressed and made her way to the door, she avoided eye contact completely.

Obviously, mingling was not a strong enough word.

“It’s not what it…” His voice trailed off.

Nora stared at him. He was more intelligent than that, but Nora knew pedigree wasn’t the same as having common sense. In most cases, it was a completely separate concept. “Shouldn’t you be making rounds?”

His face reddened. “I was. I—”

“Yes, I see.”

He glowered at her. “You really don’t care, do you?”

“About?” Nora asked.

“Us.”

“There is no—”

“Us! I know that. How can you not care? Do you know what you did to me?”

“This conversation is moot as well as redundant.” They were done. It was a simple fact, yet he refused to accept it.

“The hell it is. I had sex with you, and my whole life fell apart. I couldn’t think about anything else.” He walked toward her. He was a decidedly handsome man. With blond hair and chiseled features, he was a prime representation of the male of the species. “And all you were doing was scratching an itch.”

Sex with him had been a mistake. Nora knew this, but he had been willing, presumably unattached, and had promised to be discreet. “Is there some reaction I can mimic that will satisfy you and end this?”

“My fiancé—”

Yes, that. If she’d known that a fiancé existed, none of this would have happened. Her lack of information concerning Rader’s relationship was a direct drawback of not being social. This was a lesson learned, and even though she dismissed a majority of gossip, Nora was more aware of the happenings inside the hospital now. Regardless, he was definitely not the man he pretended to be. Aggravated with his dramatics, Nora cut him off. “That was your doing, not mine.”

He closed his mouth, and a muscle ticked in his jaw. “What do you want, Nora?”

“You inspire incompetence all around you, James. The residents worship you, but that doesn’t equate to actual skill.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Gerald Travis Jr.”

“Dr. Simmons was there to assist, but Taylor was more than ready to do this on her own—”

“Was that according to you or your genitalia?”

He turned away without giving an answer.

“She missed the liver lac. It was small but enough to kill him.”

James turned his head fast enough to cause whiplash. “What? But, Simmons was there. You should be chewing him out too.”

“I discussed it with him, and now, because you’re chief resident, she is mainly your responsibility so I’m bringing it to your attention as well.” Nora didn’t elaborate further. It wasn’t unnecessary. “I trust that this won’t happen again?”

James’s face darkened to a deep red, and Nora assumed his expression was fueled by shame. He nodded.

As far as she was concerned, this discussion was over on every level. Not sparing him another glance, Nora exited the lounge. Rader didn’t deserve any more of her time, and she refused to give it. She looked at the board detailing the surgical rotation, then at the clock. The tension drained from Nora’s shoulders. She tingled with anticipation. There was nothing better than this. It was time to scrub in.

CHAPTER 3

Kelli tried to catch Sean’s attention when he walked into her room. He glanced in her direction but didn’t meet her gaze. There were no smirks, no jokes. Maybe she was reading too much into it because she was already on high alert because of their train wreck of a brother, Tony. He was the youngest of the three of them, and sometimes he acted like it. She hadn’t really seen him much the last couple of weeks. His bulb never shined too brightly, but lately something was even more off than normal. Kelli didn’t even want to think about what that meant.

So, to round everything out nicely, Sean was throwing off weird vibes too. He was hiding something. She felt it deep down in her gut. When they were kids, the only time he acted like this was when he lied or had taken something of hers. At the moment, she didn’t have shit to take.

She studied him just like she did Antony a few minutes earlier. And just like Tony, Sean stood with his arms crossed and tried to pretend that she was invisible.

“Tony not here?” Sean asked.

Their mother smiled. “He could only stay for a minute. He had to get to work. He’s starting a new job today.” Carina shook her head. “I wish he would come work at the deli. It would be easier for him. I just don’t understand it. I could change it to McCabe and Son. Your father would have loved that.”

Kelli continued to watch her brother. Finally, he looked her in the eye. He grinned, but it was bogus as hell. He wasn’t fooling anyone. She wanted to smack him in the back of the head. Maybe it would knock some sense into him. Tony deserved much of the same, but Kelli swallowed the impulse instead. She didn’t have the energy to deal with his—or anybody else’s—shit. She had a hole in her chest for fuck’s sake.

Sean cleared his throat. “I have to get outta here too, but I have some news.”

He smiled for real this time, and Kelli wanted in on it. She needed the distraction. She hated being cooped up. “Good news? Because if it’s not, I won’t be held responsible,” Kelli informed him.

“Travis is awake.”

Kelli shifted her focus from Tony to Travis. “Really?”

“Yeah, went to see him after giving Tony your room number. Not a damn thing wrong with his mouth. He’s still a smartass.”

Kelli chuckled. “I have to find a way to go see him.”

“Or you could just call his room for right now until you’re able to get around better,” Sean said.

Kelli caught the worry in Sean’s eyes before he covered it with one of his phony-ass smiles.

“That’s a good idea,” Carina said.

Kelli stared at her brother, but his expression was unreadable. Hesitantly, she agreed. “Yeah, I can go with that for a while, I guess.”

Sean looked away, moved toward their mother, and kissed her on the cheek. Then he had the balls to lean over Kelli and pucker his lips.

Kelli glared.

He smirked and squeezed her shoulder instead. “Later, Big Red.”

“Really? That’s what you guys did? Come up with a pissy nickname for me?”

“Yep.” Sean pulled the door open.

“Asshole,” Kelli yelled after him. He didn’t even turn around, but she got the last word. That was all that mattered.

* * *

Mindful of her wounds, Kelli moved carefully as she tried to find a more comfortable position in the bed—if it could be called a bed. The thing felt more like she was lying on a box spring covered with blankets. She subtracted points just for that shit alone. It definitely wasn’t her mattress, so that was even more points deducted. The pillows, brought by her mother on the first day, were way too soft even though they were better than what the hospital had to offer. Kelli had almost requested the bedding from her own place, but she hadn’t wanted to get on her mother’s nerves too soon. That ended up being an idiot move. Her comfort was way more important.

This wasn’t her space, and every day, that fact pissed her off more and more. This whole thing sucked ass, and she hated fucking hospitals. After seeing her father lying there lifeless in a bed just like this, it was easy to feel that way. She knew they helped people here. Hell, they’d saved her, but sometimes hospitals were like sponges. Places like this…they sucked the life out of people and left behind a shitload of misery. Mix that lingering funk with her boredom and loneliness and it resulted in her craptastic state of mind.
Craptastic
. Her picture needed to go in the urban dictionary right beside the definition.

A nurse entered, a stern-looking older woman who Kelli had seen way more than she wanted. The woman didn’t smile. Kelli was sure they were supposed to at least
try
to look happy. A few butterflies and cartoon birds wouldn’t hurt either. Maybe it would have helped Kelli’s mood. Instead, she shoved a thermometer in Kelli’s face. That took some fucking audacity—way,
way
too much of it. Kelli glared.

“Open, please.”

Kelli turned away.

The nurse sighed and rolled her eyes. “What are you? Two?”

“What are you? Eighty? Didn’t you get the memo? Retirement age is sixty-five.” Kelli didn’t have anything against folks working as long as they wanted, but she wasn’t above taking the easy shot when it presented itself.

“I can do this anally. It’s a more accurate reading anyway.” The nurse held the thermometer up, an evil smile on her face.

“Touch my ass, lady, and they will be fitting you for a prosthetic.” Kelli evaluated the nurse. Even laid up like this, she was pretty sure she could take her.

“Ms. McCabe, I need your vitals. That’s all. It doesn’t have to be difficult.”

“I’m alive. Can’t you tell?” Kelli asked. “Maybe you should try coming in here with a smile on your face and treating me like a human.”

The nurse curled her lips upward in a garish attempt at a smile.

Kelli snorted. “No sale, lady.”

The nurse stared.

“What?” Kelli crossed her arms.

“We’re really doing this?”

“Well, you’re not doing anything at the moment, but if you want to bring me lunch, I’d be good with that.” Kelli grinned. She wasn’t going to sing show tunes, but Kelli was a little less irritated. Tormenting the nurse was fun.

The nurse’s mouth fell open.

“We can try this again later. Hopefully, you’ll come back with a better fucking attitude.” Kelli couldn’t help tossing out one last parting shot.

The woman’s face turned red, but instead of responding, she turned and left.

“Make sure you tell your friends.”

Alone again, Kelli flipped through TV channels. Unfortunately, there was nothing on. She sighed and decided that sleep was a better option anyway.

* * *

The sound of voices dragged Kelli from a deep sleep. She frowned and tried to tune them out.

“Patient’s name is Kelli McCabe. She had multiple GSWs. There was one to the chest and upper thigh.”

That voice sounded vaguely familiar. It was refined, dulcet, and a bit imperial.

“She’s healing rapidly, but complications can still occur. What might those entail?”

“Infection.” The young man sounded unsure. A few chuckles followed.

“I have a mosquito bite that is several days old. It could become infected as well, but why state the obvious?”

Somebody gasped.

“It was rhetorical, Dr. Simpson.”

“Dr. Whitmore?”

“Yes, Dr. Bridges?”

“There is a chance of total lung collapse or scarring. She is also a bit too muscular. Should we check for steroid usage?”

“Steroid usage would compromise the healing process.” Another voice added an opinion into the fray.

Kelli had heard enough. She opened her eyes. “Now that’s just rude. This isn’t the morgue. I’m a pretty light sleeper, and I could hear everything you were saying. I guarantee you this is all real.” She recognized a few of the doctors, including Dr. Whitmore.

Dr. Whitmore cleared her throat. “Now, Ms. McCabe—”

“Dr. Whitmore,” Kelli countered teasingly.

The doctor looked a bit frazzled. She tucked a strand of honey-blond hair behind her ear and continued. “This is a teaching hospital. While you may hear some indelicate things—”

“Like being a ’roidhead?”

“Yes, well, I assure you—”

“I have curves too. Nobody looks good in these shitty gowns.” Kelli plucked at the edges of the hospital gown.

The residents laughed again.

“Ms. McCabe!” Dr. Whitmore sounded pissed.

“Dr. Whitmore.” Kelli deliberately sang her name and grinned. Dr. Whitmore’s tawny-brown eyes flashed with irritation. Plus, there was something about the way the good doctor said her name as if she ate something that tasted bad. Kelli loved it.

“It seems your brother was correct in his assessment.”

Kelli narrowed her eyes. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but that sounded really close to an insult.”

“That is something you can discuss with him on his next visit.” Dr. Whitmore turned, seemingly intent on ending the conversation.

“Hold on! I was just kidding.” Kelli rolled her eyes. “I’m bored as shit. I need a little fun.”

“Ms. McCabe.” Dr. Whitmore pursed her full lips and red seeped into her cheeks.
This
just pushed Kelli further.