Page 30 of Shattered

“You need to relax; your vitals are up. Are you trying for a baby?” I ask.

“We’re thinking about it. But I figured it’d be a good idea to get checked out before we even decide. With my history and all…”

Allegra’s already been pregnant twice, and she lost them both. The first was late in pregnancy when she became Eclamptic, and the second was a surprise pregnancy that her jackass ex-husband ended when he kicked her in the stomach. He didn’t know she was pregnant at the time. He’s in jail now for assault and tampering with her birth control.

“Dr. Parr is the best. You’ll be in good hands here, and this isn’t weird. Don’t worry.”

“Too late, but okay,” she laughs.

“I know you guys try not to throw your relationship in my face, but you don’t have to worry about that. I’m really over him. Please, don’t tiptoe around me.”

She nods. “I’ll try.”

After taking her history, doing her assessments, and redoing her vitals once she’s calmed down, we chat for a bit while she waits. After Dr. Parr’s first patient leaves, she calls Allegra back.

I try not to think about Allegra and Ian having a baby. While I want to be happy for them, it makes me weirdly sad.

Lonely.

When my phone buzzes on my desk, I pick it up, finding a text from Turner.

Turner: Your friend Asher came by. He’s joining Koa.

The rage that tears through me nearly sends me through the roof as I hit the call button, hoping no one else walks in. Our next patient isn’t due for ten more minutes.

When Turner picks up, I don’t give him a second to say hi.

“Like FUCK he is!”

“What’s your problem!?” he snaps.

“Asher’s a total asshole!” And I wouldn’t trust him to play by the rules, not that I’ll tell Turner that if I don’t have to. He’d rearrange Asher’s internal organs.

“And what’s that supposed to mean? Why can’t he join?” Turner asks, challenging me.

Fuck. He’s gonna make me tell him.

“It’s none of your business,” I say dumbly.

“Lila, you’ve got a problem with everyone right now.”

“Well, for him, I have good reason.”

“Enough!” he snaps. “Unless you wanna explain what’s going on, I’m letting Asher join as long as his paperwork comes in clean.”

“Do not let him in, Turner!”

“Well then, you can come by later and tell me exactly why not.”

Fucker. “Do not let him in yet, okay? Promise me.”

“I promise. But you’re gonna have to do better than that.”

It takes everything in me not to storm out of work in a rage. If I leave, Dr. Parr will be pissed, and I’m already on thin ice with her. Though I’m on edge, I manage to get through the rest of my day.

And it’shisfault.

I don’t get Asher. He gets under my skin. He’s unhinged, probably dangerous, and I’m playing fucking games with him. That’s all this is. A game. He’s trying so hard to intimidate me, and I refuse to fold. He’s going to keep fucking with me and hold this sex tape over my head; I just know it.

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