Page 31 of My Girlfriend is Not the Father

‘Hi, Chucky,’ Jade said as she passed the dog, who peeked with one eye, and returned to snoring in the corner on the dog bed.

In the bathroom, Jade glanced around at the dozen alcohol wipes, packages, and syringe, and took a breath. Wow. Okay. The moments prior to Lucy calling her must’ve been chaotic as hell. Jade wished she had a few moments to gather her thoughts, but Lucy looked like she was on the verge of a meltdown. Jade exhaled quietly and rubbed her palms together. ‘Tell me what I need to do.’

Lucy bit the side of her lip. ‘So, you have to shoot me in my upper ass area. Here.’ She pointed to her side. ‘Sorry. This is going to be awkward. The nurse drew a circle, and as long as you get it in there, it won’t hit a nerve. Or … shouldn’t.’

‘Got it.’

‘And you have to hold it like a dart at a ninety-degree angle. You’ve played darts before, right? So, you have to pop it like that. Not too hard and not too soft. You don’t want the needle to break off in my skin, but you need it to puncture. And wash your hands, like really good. Wait, did you just come from the salon? I wonder if you have any little hairs on you.’

Jade looked down at herself. Considering how much clipped hair she pulled from her bra every night, the probability was high. ‘Probably.’

‘I’m being ridiculous. A shower is too much to ask, huh?’ Lucy forced a smile as if she was joking, but her eyes looked like she did, in fact, want Jade to take a shower.

‘I have a cami on. I’ll just take off this shirt.’ She lifted her top over her head and caught Lucy’s eyes. Did her eyes just flicker down? Maybe. Doesn’t matter. Natural reaction when someone partially disrobes in a tight quarter that was quickly heating.

Jade scrubbed her hands with the ferocity of a surgeon and watched Lucy in the mirror, sticking out her right leg while parting the robe.

‘Ugh, sorry, so weird.’ Lucy shoved the fabric between her legs. ‘Trying not to flash the full kitty, you know?’

Jade tried. She really tried not to look at Lucy’s beautiful, pale, round thigh highlighted by the curve of her ass. Now was not the time to admire anything, even though there was so, so much to admire. ‘You ready?’

‘Yes. Oh boy, I’m nervous. Okay, breathe, breathe. You’d think with all the therapy, I’d be prepped. I really thought I was. But here I am fumbling around like a drunk teenager. Wait, that was a weird analogy. Scratch that. Okay, I’m wasting time. I’m ready.’ Lucy stuck the syringe in the rubber top, flicked at the air bubbles, then handed it over. After she wiped the skin with alcohol, she placed her palms flat against the counter and braced herself, her ass cheek lifted and facing Jade.

Jade popped the top off the syringe. ‘I’m going to put my hand on your hip to steady myself, okay?’ She tried to control the shake in her voice. She pushed out a soft grin, trying to portray more confidence than she felt. With this monstrous needle now in her hand, she was not nearly as calm as she hoped.

The mirrors fogged a little, no doubt because of the humidity in the air mixed with their combined nerves. She spread her fingers against Lucy’s soft hip. Concentrate. The sensation of Lucy’s silky skin under her fingertips spider-webbed up her arm. Was the rest of her body as soft as this? Jade wanted to shake herself. This was so unprofessional. Granted, she wasn’t a nurse, but it still seemed unethical to have Lucy in such a vulnerable position, while having unholy thoughts. ‘I’m going to count to three.’

Lucy nodded and held her breath.

‘One—’

‘Shit!’ Lucy yelped.

‘All done.’ Jade topped the orange cover back on the syringe.

Lucy yanked gauze from the pile and slammed her hand on the injection site. ‘You said count to three!’

‘The anticipation is the worst. When I got my nose pierced, the guy did that to me, and I was so grateful.’ She laid the covered needle on the counter. ‘You mad or relieved?’

‘Relieved.’ Lucy dabbed her skin and peeked at the gauze. Seemingly satisfied, she tossed it into the garbage and the needle into the waiting sharps container, and dragged her fists up and down her hip. ‘The doc said my muscles would stiffen if I didn’t massage. I’ve always wanted rock-hard thighs, but not like this.’ All colour drained from Lucy’s pink cheeks and she gripped Jade’s forearm. ‘Sorry. I, uh, think I need to sit down. Whoa. I feel like a freshman who just tapped her first keg.’

Jade gripped her arm. ‘Puke or dizzy?’

‘Just dizzy.’ Lucy stumbled out of the bathroom and squeezed Jade’s hand until they reached the couch. ‘I think I’ll be fine. The doc mentioned this might happen, but it should pass pretty quick.’ Lucy plopped on the shot-free side and continued massaging. ‘Anyway, thank you for coming over. I know it was super out of the blue; it’s just Drew’s gone for a few days …’

Definitely Jade’s signal to leave, right? But she couldn’t just walk out. What if Lucy fell on the floor and smacked her head? Was Chucky doggy-trained to call 911? Jade somehow doubted it. She needed to chill for a little and make sure Lucy didn’t pass out. ‘I’m starving. I would never normally ask someone if I could raid their fridge, but—’

‘You literally just shoved a needle the size of a light post in my ass. You can eat whatever you want.’

Jade lifted her brow. ‘No salty meats, though.’

‘That will never get old.’

At the fridge, Jade shuffled a couple of leftover containers to the side and opened the drawers. ‘Can I bring you something to eat?’ She pulled out an orange, a yogurt, and a cheese stick. She wasn’t even that hungry and didn’t want to waste Lucy’s food. But the lingering awkwardness from the last time they hung out was still in the air, and she didn’t know if she could just come right out and say she was going to stay and monitor.

‘No, I’m good.’

With snacks and water in hand, Jade made her way back. She sat on the very edge of the couch by Lucy’s purple-glitter-covered toenails, as Chucky eyed the cheese stick in her hand. ‘Here, maybe just take a few sips of water.’