Page 83 of Force Play

“It was silly of you to race over here. It was just a little blood,” Indie lies. There’s nothing silly or little about what she’s going through today.

“And pass up an opportunity to pretend I was Bowser racing on the rainbow to get here in time? I don’t think so.” I give her the smirk I know annoys her and it does the trick. Using the arm that doesn’t have a bandage wrapped around it, she smacks my bicep, her fist bouncing off my arm. Fuck it. I give my muscle a flex and trap her hand in mine, bringing it to my lips.

“So damn ridiculous, that’s what you are.”

“You always forget to add the ‘–ly good looking’ to the end of that.”

“Modest too.”

“All I hear is you naming all the things you like about me.”

“Mhmm. I do—”

There’s two sharp knocks on the door before Dr. Smith pokes her head through. “Ready for me?”

“That depends on how painful you’re going to make this.”

“The painful part is over. We’ve already gone over the consent, risks, and potential outcomes. I just wanted to check on you and make sure you don’t have questions about what’s next.” She looks between us, her eyebrow raising at Indie. “And who is this?”

“Yeah, aren’t you going to introduce your boyfriend?”

The eye roll that earns me is one for the record books, so much attitude.

“Maryann, this is Dom.”

“Ah, the irritating one that rescued you. Seems he charmed you after all.”

“As a matter of fact, she was just about to tell me how much she liked me before you walked in.”

“Well, don’t let me interrupt.”

“Don’t we have some medical things to cover?”

“So shy, this one. She’s not quite ready to admit that she’s head over heels for me, but we’re working on it.”

“Oh, I like him.” Dr. Smith laughs, pulling a rolling stool towards us and perching on the edge of it.

“Everyone does. It’s really annoying.”

“Endearing,” I fire back.

“So test results?” Indie asks, the grip she has on my hand finally loosening. Blood rushes back into my fingertips, making my skin prickle.

“We should have them back within the next two weeks.”

I ask the question that has kept me awake most nights since I found out what Indie’s facing. “And if it’s positive?” Emotion seeps into my voice, and this time it’s Indie that’s reassuring me with a light squeeze of her hand.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“The fuck I don’t.” I tear my gaze from Indie, wincing at Dr. Smith, who’s leaning forward watching us with curiosity. “Sorry, but can we have a moment?”

“Of course. But Indie’s right, you should try not to worry about that for now.”

Only I’m not sure that’s what my girlfriend meant.

When the door closes, leaving us alone, I turn to Indie, my hands framing her face. “Make no mistake, I’m in this. It might be new, but I didn’t wait an entire year for you to come back to me just to push me away out of some misplaced effort to protect me. You can’t scare me away, you can’t protect me.”

“You don’t know—”

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