Right As Rain (Complete)

Chapter 8

Maelee

The conference room is large, much too large for four people. Medical books and journals from the past one-hundred years line the high walls up to the ceiling. The oak table only takes up a quarter of the room. It would make more sense for us to sit in the cluster of leather chairs in the corner, but three men, including Jack, have already gathered to one end of the table..

I doubt this room is used very often –probably only for things like this. I've been here three times. The first, when I interviewed for the fellowship. The second, when I had to defend my age and appearance against a board member. And the third, when I officially accepted one of the two fellowship positions for critical care. Jessica was elated. Moving to California wasn't part of my plan, but it was always a part of hers. Regardless of whose plan it was, it happened. And I am forever grateful.

"Dr. Parker, thank you for joining us," the younger of the two strangers says. He looks about my age. His dark hair is swooped to the side in a styled manor and his suit is tailored well to his tall slender body. "I'm Ryan; we spoke on the phone." I shake his hand and thank him for taking the time to meet. "This is James Akin from Symphony Management, and I believe you know Jack?"

I shake James' hand and receive a wink from Jack before I settle into one of the executive leather chairs. The four of us seem displaced here together. The emergency page that pulled me from bed too early this morning didn't give me much time to worry about things like hygiene or hairbrushes. My scrubs, that were clean a few hours ago, are now wrinkled and smell stale from an interesting mixture of sweat and bleach. Ryan and James are both in neatly pressed suits and Jack is in what I assume to be his typical wardrobe of t-shirt and jeans.

James studies me harshly, making me feel even more out of place in the formal room. I run my hand through my hair, trying to do something with my disheveled mess but give up; my hair has a mind of its own and I won't be changing it today.

"I believe Jack has spoken to you already in regards to our media situation," James begins. "It seems Noah wishes to have you release our statement to the press. Is this something you are willing to do?"

"I'm okay with it as long as Oak Valley is okay with it," I say, looking towards Ryan.

Ryan smiles. "We are okay with it," he says.

"Well isn't that just wonderful?" James says, lifting his arms. He's being sarcastic. I'm weary of him and his Armani suit. I don't claim to be an immaculate judge of character but we just got here and he already seems to be more interested in his own personal gain than protecting Noah. "We need to release a statement based on what we know: Noah's collapse, your presence at the restaurant and him being admitted in the hospital."

"Okay?" I say. I thought that was given. James looks down with his pompous pen and smugly jots something down in his expensive leather notebook. I feel awkward. Is this conversation over? "That seems easy enough."

He gawks at me with a cutting grin. "Because of the popularity of the boys we can assume you will be roped into a fairly significant media storm. I recommend you get a press agent to protect your medical reputation. I can provide you with a list of contacts. Being attached to Big Distraction will make it easy for you to find representation."

I was waiting for him to say something else, but that certainly wasn't it. "My reputation?" I ask. "Why would I need to protect my medical reputation?"

The smile on his face makes my stomach turn. "You're a beautiful woman who is spending time with members of the most successful boy band in history. Rumors will spread." The smile on his face makes my stomach turn. He acts as if he is telling me what I want to hear, like I'm a teenager in need of his compliments.