Page 56 of Guarding Glenda

He told me, “Wait in the front room if you get out before me.”

“Okay,” I told him before I followed her down the hall and to a room.

“Right in here, and you can hop up on the table.”

I climbed up and sat, the paper crinkling under my weight.

“Anything specific you want to discuss with the doctor?”

“Can he screen me for…ya know…”

“STIs?”

I cringed. “I guess so. And check my IUD.” Nobody mentioned any sexual assault from the attack, but it wouldn’t be the first time info was withheld. Plus, even before I found out about Reggie’s plan to run off with another woman, I knew he had some of the bunnies from time to time and fucked girls when he went on runs. He promised they were always careful, but I didn’t believe shit now. Better safe than sorry.

“No problem. It’ll be a bit. It’s late in the day and flu season is already kicking up, but I’ll try to get him in fast. Unless you don’t mind one of the PAs?” She opened a drawer under the exam table and pulled out a paper gown. “Disrobe and put this on, front open. He’ll probably do a full exam. It’s been a while since your last pap and breast exam. So doc or PA?”

“If I can see the doctor, I’d prefer that.”

She nodded. “Okie dokie. Hang tight.”

I got undressed, donned the paper gown, then hopped up on the table. My feet dangled as I waited.

After getting bored and reading every flyer and paper they had in the exam room, my foot shook uncontrollably as I waited. I was about to hop down again to get my phone from the pile of clothes, but there was a knock on the door.

“Hey, sorry for the wait,” Sam said as he came inside with the same nurse in tow.

“She said it would be a while. Just anxious.”

He washed his hands as the nurse laid out some supplies. “Any pain? Muscle spasms? Headaches?”

“Nope. Still slower than normal, but every day I get better and faster.”

He smiled. “Well, there’s no race, but it’s good you’re up and moving around. You been taking it easy?” he asked as he donned gloves and sat on a rolling stool.

It was so crazy to me that this guy, traditionally handsome, clean cut with his dark hair and close shave, very professional, and overall kind, was related to Hammer. Hammer was good looking but in a rugged way you’d expect a biker to be. And he had good moments, but he was gruff and bossy. Which probably was necessary being the president, but sometimes he just seemed like an asshole. Sam was the opposite.

“Yes, doctor. Everyone is making sure I have no fun.”

He inserted a speculum with a ridiculous amount of gel on it. “Hmm. Well, I hope you were having some fun because the alternative has me on alert. Are you safe, Glenda?”

My brow pinched. “Safe? Wh–Oh! I… that was on purpose.”

He looked up over the drape they’d laid over my lap. “You sure?”

I covered my face but the chuckle still came out. “I had consensual sex with Leigh.” I moved my hand. “Protected consensual sex at that, doctor. Which is partly why I wanted to get tested and make sure the IUD was still where it’s supposed to be.”

“Hmm.” He did a did a swab, a few things pinched, and then he pushed, sending pressure up my lady bits. “I’ll test these and we can draw some blood. But you should still practice safe sex. Especially with him.”

That stung. He was right, but it still forced the lighthearted moment behind me quickly. Was I being stupid? Was Leigh capable of only being with me?

In hindsight, Reggie and I never had a discussion about exclusivity. But I assumed, based on things he said. And there was definitely a double standard for him. Yes, I slept with other men, but they were his brothers, and it was more to flaunt what was his than it was to allow me to do what I wanted. And if he’d even thought anyone looked at me while he wasn’t around, it got messy. All the while, he was fucking whoever was around when he went on runs. He didn’t even try to hide it.

When Reggie patched me, I thought that meant things would change, but that was naïve of me. He still had other girls. A lot of the guys were that way, though. And we’d spent time with enough other clubs the last few years to know that was universally understood in this world.

Sam’s cold hands on my arm snapped me out of it. “How long was I out?”

“You were just thinking. You were still here. I’m gonna examine your abdomen now.”