Page 21 of No Strings Attached

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Dr. Baldwin said as he walked in. “Let me take a look.”

Morgan helped Sam roll into his stomach, ignoring his pert little ass.

Dr. Baldwin lifted Sam’s shirt. “I need to clean this to get a better look. Give me a moment.”

“Stitches bleed a little,” Sam said. “This was so unnecessary.”

“Have you had stitches before?” Morgan asked.

“That’s not the point.” Sam argued. “You should have just slapped a few Band-Aids on my back instead of bringing me here.”

Dr. Baldwin returned, sat, and cleaned Sam’s back.

“What’s the damage?” Morgan asked.

“He didn’t rip out any of the sutures.” Dr. Baldwin probed a few spots.

“I told you I was fine,” Sam huffed. “Do you always panic at the sight of blood?”

“But you did put a strain on your stitches,” the doctor continued, clearly not letting Sam off the hook. “Your wounds were pretty severe, Sam. As I told you in the hospital, the lacerations weren’t deep enough to do any damage to your spine, but that doesn’t mean you should take your injury lightly. The spots where you’re bleeding are where the sutures tugged too tightly, which tells me you haven’t been keeping off your feet.”

Dr. Baldwin covered Sam’s lower back with a huge sticky gauze.

“I threw some clothes in the washer,” Sam argued. “That’s hardly running around the house.”

“This is the stubbornness I’m dealing with.” Morgan jabbed a finger at his mate. “He didn’t even take his pain pills this morning. He wants to tough it out.”

Sam glared at him. “My father became addicted to his pain medication. There’s no way in hell that’s happening to me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that’s why you didn’t want to take them?” Morgan asked.

“I only gave you a few days’ worth,” Dr. Baldwin said as he touched Sam’s arm. “You have over two hundred stitches. You were on pain medication your entire stay in the hospital. Refusing to take them this morning should tell you something. An addict wouldn’t miss a dose.”

If Sam was that afraid, Morgan would keep the bottle with him. But he was going to make sure his mate took the pills if he was in pain.

Dr. Baldwin pulled Sam’s shirt back in place. “I’m going to send you home with some waterproof gauze so you can shower, but I don’t want you standing.”

“Then how am I supposed to shower?” Sam asked.

“Either Morgan can get a shower chair or he can help you.” Dr. Baldwin pulled off his latex gloves. “He’ll also have to change your bandages. I want to see you back here in a week, Sam. No more laundry.”

The doctor turned on his stool to face Morgan. “If you see any redness, or if there is puss, or Sam’s skin is hot to the touch, bring him back to me. Watch for a fever, too. Is he taking his antibiotics?”

“I’m right here,” Sam griped. “And, yes, I’ve been taking them. Shouldn’t Morgan be out in the waiting room?”

Sam’s question shouldn’t have bothered Morgan, but it did. They didn’t know each other, and it must seem strange to Sam that Morgan was allowed in the room, but the doctor knew that Sam was his mate.

“I’ll let you two discuss that.” Dr. Baldwin stood then walked out.

“Great,” Sam moaned. “Now I have another bill I can’t afford to pay.”

“Your health is more important,” Morgan said.

“I’m not blaming you.” Sam let out a heavy sigh. “I’m actually touched that you were so worried and brought me in to get yelled at by my doctor.”

That was a backhanded compliment. “Stop being stubborn and we won’t have to do this again.” Morgan helped him sit up. “You don’t have to worry about doing housework, Sam. The only thing I want you to do right now is to take it easy and get better. You’re not doing your back any favors by trying to rush this.”

Sam grabbed Morgan’s hand when he tried to sit down. “I appreciate everything you’re doing for me. I know I’m being difficult, but I don’t mean to. I’m trying really hard to believe you when you say I can trust you.”

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