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“I’m just trying to look at it from all angles. But you are the expert, and I wanted you here. Veronica is best friends with my mom. I wanted to create a little space between me and her care.” I’m not interested in getting into this right now.
“Well, you are a good doctor, so I can believe that. But what I find hard to believe is the way you were holding Lacy’s hand in the consultation room and why now you seem more concerned for Lacy’s health than that of the patient you brought me in to consult with,” Melody says, and I sigh.
“Veronica and Lacy are well-known in the community. Lacy is her primary caretaker…” I start to explain.
“Hudson. I don’t need a community history lesson. I know what I saw. Amanda was not only my sister, but my best friend. But if you think you can fuck some young girl from a small town and that I’ll be okay with that, then you’re mistaken,” she spits out.
My anger rises, and I swear if Melody wasn’t theamazing doctor she is, I would not be entertaining this completely inappropriate conversation. “Who I fuck is none of your business. Lacy, outside of the medical support you are giving to her mother, is none of your business. I appreciate you consulting on Veronica’s health for me, but if you can’t be professional about this and leave this personal bullshit at the door, I might be better to find someone else.” I’m protective of Lacy, and there’s no way Melody is bringing this bullshit to Whispers. I would like to think her professionalism would be at the forefront, but she was close to her sister, so I should have thought about this more.
“You got me to take time out of my busy schedule to consult for you, and that’s what I’m doing. I would have appreciated a heads-up on the entire situation before I started with the consultation. However, what I don’t expect is for you to undercut my opinion. In my opinion, Lacy is fine to donate blood to her mother. You either want me to manage this, or you don’t, Hudson. Which one is it? Because I have better things to do with my time.”
I sit forward and look at Lacy’s file again. The numbers look fine, and even though I don’t like it, it doesn't mean the facts are lying.
“Fine,” I murmur in agreement. Medically speaking, she can. Maybe I’m just too protective and too close to this situation.
“Great. I’m going to manage this process moving forward. I will have my office talk to Williamstown Hospital and organize the donation immediately. We may need a few from Lacy as Veronica’s tests did come backshowing some issues. And as you know, we need to have some time in between, so the sooner we start, the better,” Melody says, and I nod, even though she can’t see me. I need to trust her.
“Okay, Melody, we will do it your way,” I tell her, closing Lacy’s file.
“Good, and Hudson?”
“Yes?” I ask, knowing she has more to say.
“I think you need to take a good, hard look at what you are doing. I always thought you were a smart man. But dating someone so young like Lacy, and Amanda has only been gone a short time…”
“Amanda has been gone for years…” I say, letting my words hang between us as my frustration simmers. I’m a widower, I know that, but how long do I need to remain single before moving on with my life? It’s literally been over five years. I need to move on, and I have. I don’t need her family’s approval, and I find it astounding that I’m getting this attitude from her, considering her own father is a known philanderer and her mother a socialite who turns a blind eye.
“I need to go. I will keep you updated,” she says, ignoring my statement, then the line goes dead. I throw my cell on my desk and sit back in my chair as the familiar feeling of despair settles in my chest.
I don’t like it. But Melody is the specialist, and while her opinion on my private life is none of her business, I don’t want to get in the way of her medical expertise.
I sitopposite Tanner and Connor at the bar. It’s quiet tonight. Midweek is always like this, and after the day I have had, I needed a friend.
“Tough day at the office?” Connor asks, watching me closely.
“You could say that,” I murmur, lifting the glass of whiskey to my lips, appreciating the burn.
“What’s going on?” Tanner asks.
“I got a specialist in from of the city to consult on Lacy’s mom,” I tell them. It isn’t a secret; practically the whole town already knows.
“Lacy said. Melody, right?” Connor asks, leaning back in the booth.
“Yeah,” I say, trying to collect my thoughts, wondering if it was such a good idea after all.
“Lacy mentioned her time at work might be a little ad hoc for a while. She needs to give blood?” Tanner frowns.
“It’s something for Veronica.” I don’t elaborate; they don’t need details, and while I know they will keep everything confidential, I need to ensure I keep things private, not telling them anything Lacy hasn’t already.
“So what’s going on with you and Lacy?” Tanner asks, looking me dead in the eye.
“Are you two are a thing?” Connor follows up, and I look at them both.
“Yeah… yeah, we are.” There’s no point denying it.
“Don’t fuck with her. She’s my best employee ever. Plus, she’s Victoria’s best friend,” Tanner warns, and I give him a nod.
“Not planning on it.” I sip my whiskey as I think about her.