“Eli,” my father’s tone was disapproving. “If you’re not careful, he’ll have grounds to have you arrested for stalking or harassment. Why can’t you just leave him alone?”
“He’s cheating on Mia and you don’t care.”
My dad’s brows rose as he looked at me. “I thought you and Nick just worked together.”
“We do,” I said with a pointed look at Eli. “Who Nick sees isn’t my business and definitely not yours.”
“She said she was his lawyer—”
“All the more reason to leave him alone,” my father said.
“She’s tough, Mia. The hospital might have a fight on their hands.”
Oh God. Had he done something that would hurt the case? “What did you do, Eli?”
“Me? I didn’t do anything. But she’s doing anything she can to protect him. She even threatened to say I was intimidating him on your behalf.”
I closed my eyes as I realized the ramifications of what he said. “Please tell me you didn’t do that.”
He made a dismissive gesture. “I didn’t do anything. It’s him.”
“It’s always him, that’s the problem, Eli,” my father sighed, and turned off the TV. “From where I sit, he stays as far from you as he can, and yet you go out of your way to ruin his reputation.”
“He does that on his own by being a shitty doctor—”
“Eli!” My father snapped in a way I hadn’t heard since I was a kid and Eli and I were in big, big trouble. Even Eli jerked to attention. “You need to stop your whining about Nick. If you don’t like that he’s done more than you, then do more. You don’t get a better life by tearing someone down. Blaming him doesn’t give you his medical degree. It doesn’t bring your mother back. It doesn’t turn your sister against him.”
“I don’t—”
“You do and I’m sick and tired of it. I put up with it because you’re my son, but I care about that boy and I’ve had enough of your griping.”
Eli’s jaw tensed. I wasn’t sure if he’d yell back or simply leave. “You always did like him better—”
“Oh, for Christ's sake, Eli. If it seems like that to you, it’s probably because he doesn’t whine and blame others. That shit gets old.”
I looked at my dad in surprise. He wasn’t one to swear.
“Mia is right, you’re lucky he hasn’t put a restraining order on you.”
“I don’t stalk him—”
“Tell me you didn’t threaten him in front of his lawyer,” I said wanting to get back to whatever he might have said.
“No.”
“Because she’s right, Eli. True or not, if Nick felt like he was being harassed by you because of me, it could be used against me and hospital.”
“So, he’s a shitty doctor, but you get in trouble?”
“He’s not a shitty doctor, Eli. He’s really not.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why do you defend him, Mia? Are you still in love with him?”
Yes.
“Because I have no doubt he’s fucking—”
“Eli,” my father yelled. He pushed the button on his chair to help him up. “I won’t listen to this anymore.”
I stood. “What do you need, Dad?”
“I need the two of you to stop sniping and growling at each other. I need some peace.” He made his way slowly back to his room.
I moved to put my hand under his arm. “Let me help—”
“No. You can both leave.”
I watched him until he disappeared into his room.
“This is your fault.”
I whipped my head around to Eli, ready to argue but then I looked at my bitter, broken brother and could only laugh derisively. “Of course, it is.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t patronize me.”
I grabbed my purse and got my keys out. “Eli, that’s all that’s left to give you. If Nick and I were gone, who’d you blame then? Dad’s right. You’re miserable because you’re not willing to be responsible for your own actions.”
“You are fucking him, aren’t you—”
“Do you know how insulting you are?” I moved closer to him. “Tit for tat, Eli. Are you like this because you’re not getting laid? Do you blame Nick for your impotence too?”
“You bi—”
I glared at him. “What happened to you, Eli? Really? Where did you go?” Not waiting for him to answer, I headed out the door and to my car.
The next day, I spent the morning wondering if Nick’s gorgeous lawyer spent the night with him. Then I worried she’d show up with some sort of accusation that Nick was being harassed by the hospital or me.
By noon, things were as usual, so my guard dropped to the usual level. I was finishing up my lunch when Candace entered the staff lounge on the third floor.
“Oh good, I found you. Do you have a minute?” she asked.
“Sure. Is something wrong?”
“Not wrong, no. I’m just worried about Dr. Foster.”
“Oh?” I motioned for her to follow me to my office. “Is he not performing well?”
“He does fine, but he’s not the same, you know. I talked with Peggy about it, but she said he just needed time.”
“Time for what?” I feigned innocence.
“To return to his old self.” She had a wistful smile. “Nick lost his swagger.”
“Maybe he’s grown out of it?” I said.
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t mean it like that. I mean his confidence. His loose and easy way with patients that made them feel at ease. Now I’m not sure he trusts our talents. He’s always telling us things twice and making us second check things. I’m just worried because he seems coiled so tight.”
“What are you afraid might happen?”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Peggy was right. You’re wanting me to say something so you can get him fired. I thought you were his friend.”
I sighed. “I don’t want him to be fired, but if he’s a danger to patients—”
“I never said that.” She looked at me like the devil in me was just revealed. I felt certain she’d never see me as a friend again. Not that we were friends, but I wouldn’t be invited back to the Monday night drinking hour.
“Candace, regardless of my friendship with
