Thirty-Nine
O nce it was a more suitable hour of the morning, I was moved back to Reacher’s bed, which had been refreshed by some poor prospect, who had to clean up bloody sheets like that kind of thing was just normal.
“Listen, woman-”
I held up a hand. “Go. Do what he needs. Tori is on her way down, and I’ll be fine. Stitch needs you right now.”
He frowned. “And you don’t.”
“Not what I’m saying. I need you to look after him, just like he does for you. Me being in your life is no reason for anything with your brothers to change. Maybe this is part of why they want me kept out of things.”
He sighed, digging through his drawers for a t-shirt. He’d just showered, and wore only his jeans right now.
“I’m just gonna go with him for an appointment. He managed to get one for today, but he wasn’t planning on going until he told me. I think he wants to avoid knowing if it’s what he thinks it is, for as long as possible, but this isn’t the kind of thing that goes away.”
“No, it isn’t. I mean, I wish it would, but early detection is key. Where does everyone think you guys are going?”
He layered his cut over the t-shirt and black shirt he’d dressed in. He looked so sexy dressed like that. How could one man make me so fucking wet and horny all the time? And why the hell did it have to be right now, when I definitely couldn’t do anything about it?
“Woman? My eyes are up here.” He was smirking when I dragged my eyes back up to his face.
“Stop looking so yummy then. It’s not fair when I can’t do anything about it.”
He leaned close. “Just stay wet for me, woman, because the minute you’re able, I’m gonna fuck your brains out, and leave you more than satisfied… maybe covered in my cum. You’d look so sexy, marked by me like that.”
As sexy as his words were, and how they affected me, there was also this voice in the back of my head, reminding me that Raoul had covered me with his cum too. And it had been degrading and humiliating, and disgusting. But surely it wouldn’t feel that way with Reacher. Right?
“Look at me, Ally. You don’t think about him while you’re in our fucking bed, you hear me?”
How does he always know what I’m thinking?
“So I can think about him at other times?”
“Fuck no.”
There was a timid knock on the door, so Reacher strode across the room, and let Tori in. She looked nervous as hell, but did her best to stand tall in his presence.
“She’s not to move, got it?”
“Reacher, be nice, dammit. And what if I have to pee, huh? Am I allowed to pee? Can I pee, old man?”
He groaned, rubbing a hand over his hair, as he walked over to the bed to grab his phone, and kiss the top of my head.
“Tori, this isn’t gonna be easy. She’s a stubborn one, but doc says she should avoid moving where possible, so please, please try and keep her still.”
Tori nodded, looking like she wanted him to leave so she could relax.
“Go on. Go do your thing.”
He headed for the door, and Tori stepped aside rapidly, even though I knew Reacher wouldn’t let any part of himself touch her. Not with her history.
“Tori.” She turned to look at him.
“I’m not gonna bite. I appreciate you sitting with Ally for me, and everything else so far is water under the bridge, okay?” She looked stunned.
“Really? I’ve caused so much trouble for Ryder, for the club.”
“One of my brothers is happy, so I’m taking that as a win for the club.” She watched him leave, then turned to me with wide eyes.
“Did that just happen? I was sure he was going to be cold with me or something. I know we caused so much trouble. I’m so sorry about that.”
I told her make coffee and sit with me, and I’d forgive her. Mostly I just really needed the company while Reacher was out, because without him here, the fears were returning. And as much as I knew Stitch needed him right now… I couldn’t deny that I wished he’d stayed.
Reacher
A wkwardness isn’t something I’m used to, especially with Stitch. I mean, it occurred with a bang last night, when I grudgingly offered to look at what he was so afraid of. It wasn’t like I was hitting on him, or anything sinister, it was more about offering a second opinion. He’d brushed the offer aside pretty quickly, mentioning an appointment he’d made, but had decided not to go to.
And that was exactly where we were now, waiting for his name to be called. Just two unsavoury looking guys sitting in a GP’s waiting room, with mothers and children dotted around the room. Mostly dotted around the seats as far away from us as possible, and that suited us just fine.
“Jesus.” He held a hand over his chest, letting out a harsh breath. “Every time someone steps out to call the next name, I nearly shit my pants. I can’t believe what a pussy I’m being.”
I crossed my ankle over my knee, trying to get comfortable in the crappy plastic chair.
“Brother, you’re here, and that takes more… uh… courage than I can imagine.”
“You were gonna say balls.” His lips quirked in a small grin.
“I’m so fucking sorry. We all say shit like that, and now I feel like I’m gonna keep putting my foot in it.”
He rubbed his palms against his thighs, probably drying sweaty palms, because the poor guy was freaking out.
“I’m gonna have to get used to that. I mean… if they have to… remove stuff… there’s no hiding from that fact.” He looked like he’d throw up at the mere thought of it. I’m right there with ya, buddy.
“Seth Woods?”
Stitch’s hand pressed against his chest again.
“Fuck.” He looked up and saw the female doctor standing there. “Shit, it’s a fucking female doctor.”
I slapped his shoulder, urging him up.
“Better getting your junk out for a woman, right?”
He stood up, and nodded at the doctor, who turned and headed back into her office, expecting him to follow.
“You uh… want me to come with?”
He shook his head vehemently.
“I need to do this alone, but thanks, brother. I uh… I should go in.”
I nodded, silently wishing him luck, as he turned and ambled in the direction of the office, like he didn’t have a care in the world.
Hell. And now the waiting game…
Ten minutes later he was back, looking pale and worried.
“Brother?”
He shook his head, and left the surgery at a fast pace, with me following.
Once outside, he took a deep breath. Then another.
“Stitch?”
He leaned a hand against the wall, like he was worried he couldn’t stand without help.
“Jesus, Reacher. She’s scheduling scans and biopsies and shit. Fucking hell.”
My heart thudded in my chest. This shouldn’t be happening to him.
“She thinks it’s something then?”
He nodded, rubbing a hand over his face.
“I feel like I’m gonna be sick.”
I grabbed his shoulders. “Look at me. Just don’t throw up on me, yeah?” I got a twitch of a grin for my trouble.
“You’re gonna be fine. This is all just a scare, and nothing more. You’ll get the scans and shit, and they’ll say it’s nothing, but Stitch, even if it’s something, it’s not like all hope is gone. Okay? I’m with you, through all of this.”
He nodded, taking another breath.
“Gonna want a fucking drink now. Not at the clubhouse though.”
I glanced at our bikes. He couldn’t ride once he’d had a drink, but there was a pub near the clubhouse.
“We ride back, and then go for a drink at Eddie’s, yeah? We can walk back.”
He nodded again, taking another breath, and reaching for his helmet.
“Time to fucking man up, and act like the badass I thought I was.” He was on his bike and starting her up, before I could even argue.