He is also a disgusting, chauvinistic pig. During my fifteen, I take a quick bathroom break when I spot him cornering Lucy in the supply room. His hands are running up and down her body, and I’m sure he is whispering sweet nothings in her ear. If the goofy smile on her face was any indication, I’d say she’s falling for every second of it. Disgust churns through my gut, as I walk past them. The fact that this man, who seems to have no boundaries at all, was at my home, only hours prior, professing how much he thought we belonged together is scary. As much as I like Samuel Bennett, his son is a fucking idiot.
Samuel has a busy schedule today, but he does stop me, while I am on my way to lunch and says he wants to have a conversation with me sometime this week, when we’re both free. That can’t be good.
Once our shift is over and the night duty staff comes in, I change out of my filthy scrubs and back into my dress, while everyone gathers their stuff and talks about stopping at Cole’s to get drinks. My original plan was to go home and wallow, but after the days I’ve had, lately, getting drunk with Kassandra and a few of the other vet techs doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
I’m grabbing my purse out of my locker, talking to Kassandra, when a voice stops me in my tracks.
“What are you doing?”
I turn toward Travis, whose narrowed gaze is aimed at me. Everyone in the clinic pauses to watch our exchange. “I’m grabbing my bag, so I can go home.” I point down at my purse, my brows creasing.
Travis scoffs, an ugly, cold expression washing over his face. “Olivia, I asked you earlier to stay after and clean all the exam rooms before leaving. Something tells me you haven’t done so that quickly.”
Like a bucket of ice-cold water has been thrown on me, I freeze. My stomach turns, and I shake my head, my brows tugging low. “No, Travis, you didn’t ask me to stay. I would’ve remembered.”
“I think your mind has been elsewhere, Olivia. If you plan on staying here, you need to do the work. I need you to stay and clean those exam rooms. I don’t care how long it takes.”
Embarrassment crawls deep into my chest, heating my face. I can feel everyone’s eyes on us, everyone watching to see what my reaction will be. I will not let this ass-wipe make me feel like an idiot in front of everyone. Luckily, I’m not the only one who thinks it’s unfair because Atticus steps in for me.
“Hey, Trav, c’mon. It’s been a long week. Why don’t we all just head out to Cole’s for some drinks? The night staff can handle it—”
“I didn’t ask the night staff to handle it, Atticus. I asked Olivia. And that’s final. Everyone else is free to go.” Travis’s gaze pauses on me. “And once those exam rooms are finished, you can go, too.”
Slowly, everyone trickles out of the break room, and I’m left standing there, my chest heaving violently, my nose tingling with pressure, as I work to hold back my tears. Kassandra hangs back, placing a soft hand on my shoulder.
“You want me to stay and help?”
I turn away from her, dislodging her hand. “No, it’s fine. The last thing I need is him saying I let you do all the work. Just go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Olivia.” She tries to get my attention, but I already have my back to her, walking to the supply room for cleaning products.
I spend the next two, almost three hours cleaning the exam rooms. My feet are killing me, and the dress isn’t exactly the most comfortable thing to clean in, but seeing as my scrubs are filthy, I didn’t like the idea of putting those clothes back on.
The night shift watches me clean with sympathy, but they offer no help. Not that I’d take it anyway.
I’m so angry with myself for letting those words slip out in a moment of anger. It felt like Rome and I were finally finding a common ground, and I ruined it. He hates me. If I wasn’t sure of it before, I am now.
With a heavy sigh, an aching body, and a growling stomach, I walk out of the clinic to a downpour. The first I’ve witnessed here in Campbell. I