Winning the Lottery

Ch. 7 End of the Road

I spent the whole surgery listening to other doctors talk badly of me like they did in the previous surgery. It was torture.

After the surgery, I went to the scrub room. I scrubbed out and took Erica to recovery. I monitored her stats and waited until she woke up.

"How did it go?"

"It went well."

"Good," she smiled.

I took her to her room and got her fixed up. Then, I took her vitals.

There was a knock on the door.

Jake walked in. "You wanted to see me?"

"Thank you. I know it was the donor's decision, but you have the O.K. for the liver. Thank you."

"You're very welcome. Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine. Dr. Malone?"

"Yes, Erica?"

"I kind of hate you right now," she whispered.

"Me, too. Get some rest. I'll be in to check on you tomorrow morning."

She nodded.

I led Jake from the room.

"You wanted to talk?" he asked.

"Not here."

"Are you getting off work?"

"Not for a few hours."

"Then, talk."

"I can't do this," I sighed.

"Do what?" he asked at the nurses' station.

"I can't be your girlfriend."

He ruffled his brows. "What are you talking about?"

"I can't be in this relationship anymore."

"Why not?"

"I-"

Dr. Hamilton walked over. "Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't she be?" Jake asked.

"Word is going around about you two. People have been bullying her all day, talking about her behind her back. It's not been pretty, but she's taken it."

Jake looked at me. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"What are you going to do? Beat everyone up? C'mon, Jake, really? You'd be screwing your job and mine."

"That's not the only thing you're screwing," an intern mumbled across the table.

"I need to clock out. Excuse me." I started to walk off.

"Britt, wait!" he called.

I didn't stop until I got to the elevator.

He gripped my arm. "Britt, don't do this."

"It's interfering with my job. No one is taking me seriously."

"Britt, I-"

"I'm sorry." I reached up and gave him a quick kiss. "Goodbye, Jake."

The elevator came.

I stepped in and hit the button.

As the doors closed, I felt a piece of my heart break. I really did care about him, but I also cared about my job. I needed my job.

I went to the locker room and changed into my clothes. I clocked out and made my way to my car.

It was only about seven in the evening, which meant I was in for a long night of heartache.