Don’t Fall for the Doctor by Lacey Bolt
Chapter 7
The alarm on Michael’s phone started beeping. He tapped the screen without breaking focus on the computer screen. Quiet footsteps approached his desk.
“Who uses an alarm to go home? Normal people just leave at the end of the day.”
Michael didn’t need to look up to know who spoke. “Normal people don’t become cardiologists. Normal people don’t have others depending on them to save their lives.”
“Lots of normal people save lives and go home at the end of the day. Firefighters, police, nurses, even some doctors. Let’s go.”
Michael tried to brush off his friend again. “Go away. I’m busy.”
“I’ll wait.”
It was pointless to argue with Bill. He learned that lesson years ago.
“It’s going to take me longer to finish if you stare at me.”
Bill sat down on the dark grey couch along the back wall of Michael’s desk. The couch was the perfect size for late-night naps when he worked on the more difficult cases. Fortunately, tonight was not going to be one of those nights. But that didn’t mean that he could abandon his work, half-finished.
Bill stood and grabbed the small basketball on the floor next to the couch. Michael tried to remain focused as soft bouncing noises came from the direction of the mini basketball hoop hanging on his office wall.
Thump.Michael returned his gaze to the chart in front of him and made a few marks. Thump-thump. His friend counted in an exaggerated whisper, each number followed by the thump of the small ball. “Five”—thump—“Six”—thump—“Two pointer! Eight”—thump—“He shoots, he scores!”
Michael knew Bill’s game. He could finish his work in peace as long as he could ignore Bill long enough.
“Did you ask out that cleaner yet?”
He gritted his teeth. “No.”
“What’s her name? Amy? You should just ask her out.”
“It’s Ashley. And I don’t have time to date.”
It didn’t make sense that Bill could be as successful as Michael but still have time for an active social life. Even back in their medical school days, Bill always had more free time for relationships, romantic or otherwise. Not like him. How long had it been since his last date?
“Heads up!”
Michael looked up a split second before getting hit in the face with the ball.
“You did that intentionally!” Michael stood up and chucked the ball at Bill. Bill jumped to the side.
“Guilty. Now let’s go. You aren’t going to be a help to any of your patients if you are overtired and overworked. Balance, friend. Let’s head out, have some food and drinks.”
Bill was not going to give up at this point. Michael gave him a glare before turning off the computer.
“If I’m going out with you, you need to give me an opinion on this case. Seventy-four-year-old male, congestive heart failure in early stages, came in this morning feeling weak. Started vomiting in the exam room. I had him admitted for the next few days until we can see what’s going on. Lab work showed that he has the flu, and all other results were normal. But I can’t help but think that something more is wrong, that the flu symptoms might be masking something more serious.” Michael filled Bill in on the other relevant details of the case.
Bill concentrated on the information as they walked out of the hospital and towards their regular bar and restaurant two blocks away. After asking other details about the case, all of which Michael had already memorized, Bill smiled. “Well, doctor,” he said with a fake British accent, “sounds like you covered all the bases. I can’t think of anything I would have done differently. If something more serious is happening, you’ll pick up on it in the next few days. Now, no more work talk. Let’s relax.”
Michael and Bill entered the busy bar and managed to find a table near the front. Danica, their favorite waitress, appeared at their table as soon as Michael sat.
“Well, if it isn’t Dr. Sexy himself!” Danica pulled a familiar magazine from the large pocket in her apron. “Says here that you are still single. Why didn’t you tell me that? I could fix you up with someone. Too bad I’m old enough to be your mother.” Danica’s southern drawl made her sound innocent, but she was fierce when it came to setting up people. How many times had Michael managed to avoid her matchmaking efforts? Normally, Michael managed to brush off her attempts, but she had a particularly focused gleam in her eyes tonight.
Sure enough, Danica slapped the magazine highlighting Michael as a sexy bachelor on the table, mimicking Dr. Evans’s same action that morning.
“Danica, great idea. I’ve been trying to set him up, but he won’t go for anyone I choose.” Bill scanned the room.
“Don’t go looking at that table, Bill. The one woman is married, and that other one is a snob. Not good enough for Michael. She never tips and is always rude. Don’t like the service, then don’t come here. Don’t take it out on me,” Danica rambled.
“What about them?” Bill pointed to another table.
“Danica, can you grab me a beer? Any IPA you have on tap.” Michael gripped the menu and held it in front of his face.
“You’ll get your drink soon, Michael. Just give me a minute.” Danica continued scheming with Bill. “There’s a table towards the back, two women. They come in here regularly. Only one has a ring, but the other might be single. She’s really nice, both of them are, actually. But you stay away from the engaged one, Bill.” She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Bill.
“Danica, first of all, I have no problems getting women. Second, I don’t ever go for women who are already in a relationship. I can always find a single lady.”
Michael noticed that Bill slightly tensed as he spoke. Bill’s ex-fianceé had cheated on him during medical school. Since that time, Bill never tried to date anyone who was already in a relationship.
“Let me get you boys some drinks and food. You both want your regular orders? I’ll check out the table in the back and make sure the one lady is single.”
Before he could respond, Danica picked up the magazine and walked away in one quick motion.
Michael turned to his friend and placed his elbows on the table, leaning forward. He needed Bill’s full attention. “About that article . . . the cardio chief is on my back now. They aren’t happy about it. Got a written notice this afternoon reminding me of ‘professional conduct’ within and outside of the hospital.”
Bill laughed. “Come on. I know they get serious up in administration, but there’s really nothing they can do. They’re all talk, no bite. You are one of the best cardiologists in the city. If they fire you, they’ll have a huge problem on their hands. Finding a new cardiologist could take over a year. You are fine.” Bill had a point. The hospital had looked for a cardiologist for over a year by the time Michael applied.
“If they find out I have anxiety attacks, they might fire me anyway.” He turned his neck to the left, then the right, trying to loosen those muscles. Bill knew about the panic attacks, but it was still hard to say the words.
Bill took notice. “I thought things were getting better?”
“They are. I’m fine when I’m not bothered and can focus. Only thing that really set me off this week was getting ripped apart by Dr. Evans.”
“That’s good then,” Bill said. Michael raised his eyebrows in question. “It’s happening less than when you started working at the hospital four months ago.”
“Five months, actually.”
“Even better. You just need a little more time to settle into the job.”
Michael shrugged his shoulders, not convinced. He glanced around the room for something else to talk about, anything else.
Danica approached their table again with two beers, barely pausing as she placed them on the table. “Can’t talk now, got a few orders, but I’ll come back soon.” She gave Michael a wink as she left.
Bill shook his head. “She’s taking over as your wingman. I’m afraid to see her moves. She’s going to have half the women in this bar giving their phone numbers to you tonight.” He paused to take a sip of his beer. “You might as well enjoy your fame as Dr. Sexy while it lasts.”
Michael frowned. He didn’t want to date anyone in this bar. He knew exactly who he wanted to date, and she wasn’t here. And even if she were here, it didn’t matter. He wasn’t like Bill. He couldn’t date anyone he wanted and stay committed to his work. If he had to choose between his personal life and his work as a cardiologist, he’d choose his job. He saved lives. He couldn’t throw that responsibility away.