“Please, Kylie.”
The pain in his voice cuts me to pieces. With my heart hanging as low as my head, I sheepishly raise my eyes to his. The hurt in his voice has nothing on the pain in his eyes.
“You had a bloody nose on Sunday—”
“Everyone gets bloody noses, Slater; it doesn’t mean anything.”
“I know that, I do, but you also have a bruise on your thigh that isn’t getting any better.”
His eyes dart down to the big circular bruise on my thigh. I got it when I ran into the entryway table in our hotel room the night we returned from the gala. At the time, it didn’t hurt. I was too busy enjoying being lavished with Slater’s affection.
When I woke up the following day, the little bump had turned into an extremely angry bruise. I iced it, took some pain pills, and forgot about it. That same afternoon, I had a bloody nose. To me, it was no big deal, but Slater was mortified when blood trickled over my lips.
“I know me. I know my body. I’m not sick.”
My words don’t offer him any comfort. His face reveals he’s grieving me, even though I’m standing right in front of him.
His glossed-over eyes stare into mine as he hauntingly whispers, “Please do this for me.Please, Kylie.”
I hate doctors. Hate is a strong word, but I really do hate them. I spent the equivalent of months with them the past two years, and the entire time, they poked and prodded me. But I want to ease Slater’s panic—almost as much as I want him to look at me like he did last week.
After sucking in a deep breath, I slowly breathe out, “Okay.”
He wraps me up in a firm hug. “Thank you, baby, thank you.”
* * *
An hour later, we’re sitting in a super fancy waiting room. The furniture in this doctor’s office looks like it cost more than my last doctor made in a year. Slater is sitting next to me. He hasn’t spoken a word since we walked in, but his bouncing knee ensures I can’t mistake his worry.
I place my hand on his knee, stopping his fidgeting movements just as the nurse calls my name. She introduces us to Dr. Webster, a short, stubby man with a gentle smile. He gestures for us to sit in the chairs opposite him before taking down my medical history and vitals. Once he knows me with nearly as much intimacy as Slater, he inspects the bruise on my thigh. I won’t lie. I’m jittering like a kid walking into school for the first time. I’m a bundle of nerves.
After lowering my skirt, Dr. Webster requests for me to rejoin Slater behind his impressive mahogany desk. “Considering your history, it is commendable you came in today. I highly doubt you’re a fan of me and/or anyone in my profession.”
Slater’s grip on my hand tightens as I smile. I like Dr. Webster. He knows I don’t like him, and he’s fine with that.
“I’m sure you're acutely aware of the signs of ALL, but I also want to assure you these types of symptoms can be anything from a common cold to simply being just a bruise.”
I squeeze Slater’s hand back, attempting to lessen his panic.
“I’ll arrange for a nurse to come in and take some blood for testing.”
I breathe out sharply before nodding. I’m not a fan of needles either.
“If the test comes back with an elevated blood count, I’ll order a bone marrow biopsy for later in the week.”
“I would like the biopsy done today—if Kylie is okay with that?”
When Slater’s fearful eyes turn to mine, seeking permission, I nod. Needles scare the shit out of me, but the fear in his eyes is more daunting than any medical procedure I’ve faced.
Dr. Webster flicks through the planner on his desk. He turns the pages back and forth several times, seeking an opening. “I’m fully booked,” he replies, not looking up from his planner. “I can do—”
“I want it done today.”
I peer back at Slater, taking in his ticking jaw and narrowed eyes on the way. He stops shooting daggers at Dr. Webster when he realizes he’s secured my attention, but no amount of fake smiling can remove the cloud of fear hindering his usually bright eyes.
After a big breath, he says more politely, “I’ll pay anything you want if you can get it done today.Please.”
Dr. Webster’s eyes dance between Slater and me for several long seconds before they eventually settle on me. “Okay. I’ll get the nurse to prepare the outpatient surgery room now.”
