21. Chapter 21
Glenda
Pinkie had gone inside and grabbed a broom and dustpan, plus some packing tape. We got the glass up and were sitting around the charred pile of leather, a small stream of smoke still wisping in the air, but no more flames.
“What you ladies up to out here?” Bama asked.
We all turned, and Leigh was with him. Warmth washed over me and I smiled. He stuck his hand out as I stood and met him halfway. “You want to go see Sam real quick? We may be able to catch him if we hurry.”
Bama stood behind Linny, rubbing her shoulders. “I gotta go get Sofie soon.”
“Let’s go get the boxes,” I said.
“Already done, and they’re in the back seat since we’re making a stop first.”
Allie walked toward the fire pit and stamped her cigarette out.
Leigh planted a kiss to my temple, then waved. “Ladies. Bama, see you soon brother.” He pulled at my hand. “Let’s go.”
“Bye, you guys,” I said with a wave. “Thanks.”
Linny stood up, then came to give me a squeeze. “Text me later.”
Allie and Pinkie said their goodbyes then walked in through the back of the kitchen and we went in the main hall doorway.
“Thanks for getting the boxes. I could’ve helped.”
“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should,” Leigh said as we headed down the hall.
My brows rose but I didn’t say anything. Just kept walking.
Once we made it outside and back into the truck, I noticed him wince as I was buckling and he was climbing in.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Yeah.” He put the keys in and looked over at me. “I’m perfect now.”
My face heated so I turned to look out the window.
He pulled out of the parking lot, and once we got on the road, he reached over and grabbed my hand, threading his fingers into mine. “What was that about?”
Shrugging, I bit my lip, then said, “I dunno. I’m not used to someone saying things like that to me.”
My fucking bar was apparently in hell. I’d convinced myself Reggie was a great guy but he was actually a piece of shit. It was sad I couldn’t even take a man saying sweet things to me.
“Well, you will over time. But I was talking about your little fire dance.”
Rolling my eyes, I finally looked over at him. “My fire dance?” I asked with a grin.
“Your dimples are adorable, you know that?”
“Oh my God, stop.” I covered my face with my free hand.
“No can do. So, the fire?”
Sighing, I said, “It was Reggie’s stuff. He was practically a fever dream. Or a nightmare.” Looking back out the window, I blew out a heavy breath. “It’s like I finally woke up. It’s embarrassing, really.”
He squeezed my hand. “Hey, it’s not your fault. Honestly, I feel like some of it’s mine.”
His jaw ticked as he stared ahead at the road. I unbuckled and scooted to the middle seat, pulling the lap belt over clicking it into place. “I don’t want you to do that. I was fucked up already. You thought you were protecting me. And it’s out now. It’s done. Okay?”
“Tell you what. I’ll stop blaming myself when you stop blaming yourself.”
This man was as stubborn as I was. “Moving on.”
“Did you call that doctor to schedule an appointment?” he asked.
“Not yet. Been a weird day and a half.”
“If we get back before five, you’ll call.”
“Okay, bossy ass.”
“You’ll have to get used to that, too,” he said.
“Ha. Look. I know I’ve been out of it, but I’m not a pushover.
” That was dumb. I sort of had been when it came to Reggie.
Not actually a pushover such much as blissfully ignorant, even though a lot was in my face.
My mind chose not to see it. But I wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Definitely had to call Dr. Stanley so I could make sure I was able to stay in control.
“I’m not gonna put you in harm's way, and I won’t hurt you. But I will make you take care of yourself.” He let my hand go and put his arm over my shoulders, very gingerly. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, but you know you still have a long road ahead.”
“I know. And a lot of shit is coming back to me, so I definitely need to unpack it. But don’t think you can just tell me what to do all the time.”
“Wouldn’t dare.”
We finally arrived at the clinic and the parking lot was pretty full. “They seem busy. Maybe we should schedule an appointment.”
He parked and said, “They usually fit us in.”
He climbed out, still slowly, and came around to open my door. “Are you alright?”
He nodded. “I’m great. Let’s go get your name down. Hopefully they can squeeze you in.”
I was anxious to get cleared. At least to ride.
Maybe do some light work. I was starting to go stir crazy and he had been away from the club long enough.
I may be staying with him but I could still go work at the clubhouse.
A routine and being around other people was always good to keep my mind from spiraling.
Plus, I wanted to ask Sam something in private.
We signed in but before we could sit, the side door opened and a nurse called us back. “Hey sweetie. You’re looking much better than last time I saw you,” the woman said. Her chestnut hair was pulled into a high ponytail and her scrubs had little cartoon ducks on them.
She took me to an open room to take my vitals and weight. Her brown eyes were warm as she smiled while she put the blood pressure cuff on my arm. “You sure gave us a scare. Put this under your tongue,” she said as she put the thermometer in my mouth.
The cuff on my arm filled with air and the machine beeped. She pricked my finger for a sample then bandaged it. “Anything to report?”
“Nope. Feeling pretty good actually. Hoping to be cleared.”
Leigh cleared his throat. “I need to see Sam alone, too.”
The nurse raised her brow. “Well, sit tight. I’ll have to get your file. I’ll come back for you once I get her settled. Glenda, honey, we’re all done here. If you’ll follow me.”
I stood up and he moved so we could pass.
He told me, “Wait in the front room if you get out before me.”
“Okay,” I told him before I followed her down the hall and to a room.
“Right in here, and you can hop up on the table.”
I climbed up and sat, the paper crinkling under my weight.
“Anything specific you want to discuss with the doctor?”
“Can he screen me for…ya know…”
“STIs?”
I cringed. “I guess so. And check my IUD.” Nobody mentioned any sexual assault from the attack, but it wouldn’t be the first time info was withheld.
Plus, even before I found out about Reggie’s plan to run off with another woman, I knew he had some of the bunnies from time to time and fucked girls when he went on runs.
He promised they were always careful, but I didn’t believe shit now. Better safe than sorry.
“No problem. It’ll be a bit. It’s late in the day and flu season is already kicking up, but I’ll try to get him in fast. Unless you don’t mind one of the PAs?
” She opened a drawer under the exam table and pulled out a paper gown.
“Disrobe and put this on, front open. He’ll probably do a full exam.
It’s been a while since your last pap and breast exam. So doc or PA?”
“If I can see the doctor, I’d prefer that.”
She nodded. “Okie dokie. Hang tight.”
I got undressed, donned the paper gown, then hopped up on the table. My feet dangled as I waited.
After getting bored and reading every flyer and paper they had in the exam room, my foot shook uncontrollably as I waited. I was about to hop down again to get my phone from the pile of clothes, but there was a knock on the door.
“Hey, sorry for the wait,” Sam said as he came inside with the same nurse in tow.
“She said it would be a while. Just anxious.”
He washed his hands as the nurse laid out some supplies. “Any pain? Muscle spasms? Headaches?”
“Nope. Still slower than normal, but every day I get better and faster.”
He smiled. “Well, there’s no race, but it’s good you’re up and moving around. You been taking it easy?” he asked as he donned gloves and sat on a rolling stool.
It was so crazy to me that this guy, traditionally handsome, clean cut with his dark hair and close shave, very professional, and overall kind, was related to Hammer.
Hammer was good looking but in a rugged way you’d expect a biker to be.
And he had good moments, but he was gruff and bossy.
Which probably was necessary being the president, but sometimes he just seemed like an asshole. Sam was the opposite.
“Yes, doctor. Everyone is making sure I have no fun.”
He inserted a speculum with a ridiculous amount of gel on it. “Hmm. Well, I hope you were having some fun because the alternative has me on alert. Are you safe, Glenda?”
My brow pinched. “Safe? Wh–Oh! I… that was on purpose.”
He looked up over the drape they’d laid over my lap. “You sure?”
I covered my face but the chuckle still came out. “I had consensual sex with Leigh.” I moved my hand. “Protected consensual sex at that, doctor. Which is partly why I wanted to get tested and make sure the IUD was still where it’s supposed to be.”
“Hmm.” He did a did a swab, a few things pinched, and then he pushed, sending pressure up my lady bits. “I’ll test these and we can draw some blood. But you should still practice safe sex. Especially with him.”
That stung. He was right, but it still forced the lighthearted moment behind me quickly. Was I being stupid? Was Leigh capable of only being with me?
In hindsight, Reggie and I never had a discussion about exclusivity.
But I assumed, based on things he said. And there was definitely a double standard for him.
Yes, I slept with other men, but they were his brothers, and it was more to flaunt what was his than it was to allow me to do what I wanted.
And if he’d even thought anyone looked at me while he wasn’t around, it got messy.
All the while, he was fucking whoever was around when he went on runs. He didn’t even try to hide it.
When Reggie patched me, I thought that meant things would change, but that was na?ve of me. He still had other girls. A lot of the guys were that way, though. And we’d spent time with enough other clubs the last few years to know that was universally understood in this world.
Sam’s cold hands on my arm snapped me out of it. “How long was I out?”
“You were just thinking. You were still here. I’m gonna examine your abdomen now.”
Nodding, I moved my arms and lay there as he poked and prodded.
“Any tenderness here?” he asked a few times as he moved his hands around my chest down to my hips.
“Nope.”
“Sit up for me,” he said as he gripped one hand and pulled me up by my shoulder with the other. He put his stethoscope in his ears and pressed the cold disc to my chest. “Deep breath.”
After he listened from my chest and then my back, the room was quiet.
“Follow my finger, but don’t move your head.” He moved his index finger from side to side, then up and down. “Anything else you wanted to discuss or ask me?”
“How soon ‘til I can drive? Do chores? I’m starting to get antsy.”
The nurse laughed. “Honey, take advantage.”
Sam grinned. “How many episodes have you had?”
I shrugged.
“I’m not sure driving is a good idea just yet. Officially, you aren’t restricted, but until those are under control, probably best not to operate heavy machinery.”
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I understood. “What about a ride on the back of a bike?”
Sam leaned on the wall. “I’m not trying to punish you, but I have concerns. If you have an episode, who’s to say you don’t lose your balance?”
“Alright. I get it.”
“How was group?” he asked.
“Interesting. I think I’m gonna see her privately.”
He nodded. “She’s good. I think you’ll get along with her.”
“Hopefully.”
“Well,” he said, clapping his hands together.
“IUD is still in place, but you should try to check for that regularly as well. Any sign of the string missing, bad cramping, sharp pains, come see me asap. I’ll send these off and Nancy here will get your blood drawn.
If you need anything, you know how to find me. ”
“Wait, what about chores and stuff?”
He stopped at the door. “As long as you’re feeling up to it, you're cleared for regular activity, just no driving or bikes for now. But like she said, why not milk it?” He grinned. “Have a good one. I gotta hustle.”
After Nancy drew some blood, she sent me back to the waiting room. I picked up a magazine to pass the time since Leigh wasn’t in there.
Three magazines later, and deep into one of those weird editorials that I was certain was all made up but passed off as a true experience, boots appeared under the bottom of the magazine.
“Everything all good?” Leigh asked.
Nodding, I put the magazine down. “Yeah. Everything’s great.”
Everything seemed to be, but what Sam said still lingered. But this wasn’t the place to bring it up. Or should I bring it up at all?