Page 102 of Forgive You

I arch an eyebrow. “What do you think, doc?”

“Okay, I’m gonna slice a small bit out. This might sting a little.”

“A slice?” My voice is laced with worry, and Julie squeezes my hand.

“Hold still, please.”

“Jason.” Jules pulls my attention back, and I press my forehead against hers.

“I’m sorry. I’m here. I got you, baby.”

Her eyes are shut, shaky breaths fanning my face as if she’s preparing herself for pain.

Ireallydon’t like this.

A whimper is audible in the back of her throat. I swallow my discomfort away.

Just be there for her, Jason.

“All done,” the doctor says half a minute later.

I look up. “That’s it? You did great, baby.”

The doctor cleans up all his tools, sealing the sample in one of those glass dishes while I help Julie off the torture chair and she gets dressed again.

When he’s done, the doc turns around. “Miss Bradford, would you mind staying in for some questions? Sir, if you could wait outside? Patient privacy and all.”

My eyebrows move to my hairline, not appreciating being kicked out. I glance at Julie. Her gaze is a little wary, the edges around her eyes crinkled a little.

“I can stay if you want me to.”

I will tell that doc to shove his patient privacy where the sun won’t shine. If he’s lucky, I’ll even shove that speculum right along with it, but if she wants me to stay, I’m not going anywhere.

For a second, there’s doubt in her eyes, but then she takes a deep breath and smiles. “It’s okay. I’ll be right out.”

My chest tightens, an uneasy feeling rolling down my shoulders.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, baby. It’s okay.” She gives me a reassuring kiss, and I give the doctor a death glare meant to be a warning before I reluctantly step into the hall.

What is that all about?

Outside, I scan the hallway, nurses and doctors stomping down the linoleum. The seat in front of the door is empty, and I lower myself inside of it. My foot bounces up and down, ready for Julie to walk out and relax.

What did he mean, no damage anymore? Was that what she was talking about? Is the damage potential…cancer?

My stomach churns, my throat dry.

The thought of her being sick makes me want to haul something through the air, but I quickly focus on my breath to calm my discomfort.

These are just checkups. It doesn’t mean a thing.

But still, something feels off.

Two minutes later, Julie walks out, and I jump up.

“Are you okay?”

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