“I’m not following.”
“Macie, think about it. You’re carrying some serious alpha male DNA. Not to sound cliché, but Dodger is a strong male. He thinks like a strong male, and he acts like one as well. The very idea that the woman he’s been in love with is now carrying his baby, he’s not going to take very well that you are pushing him away.”
Everything she was saying made perfect sense.
“Okay. But why do I have to bend on everything? I needed to tell my parents in my own way, in my own time. He knew exactly what he was doing when he interrupted. My god, you should have seen my dad’s face when he found out that Dodger was the father.”
I heard some rustling around on the other end and a bark. Camden and Keegan’s dog was a mouthy Husky that was about as demanding of her attention as Camden was.
“Yikes. Did he threaten to castrate him?”
I grinned. “Shockingly, no. Even though my dad has never come outright and said it, he’s always liked Dodger. Frankly, my parents probably discussed that who the father was could have been a lot worse. They aren’t oblivious to my reputation.”
“Oh hell,” she said sarcastically.
“Anyway, I’m almost to the doctor’s office. I’ll text you.”
“Sounds good, honey. And do me a favor.”
“What’s that?”
“Try to give a little. Dodger needs some wiggle room. He’s new to this all just like you are.”
I sighed, Keegan was right. “Okay.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I switched my Bluetooth off and drove the rest of the way in silence. When I pulled into the parking lot, I recognized the familiar Charger in one of the spots. Of course Dodger was already here. Wonder how early he got here. The spot next to him was empty, and I pulled into it. I looked in my rearview mirror at myself, taking a deep breath. Time to learn a few things about this little peanut growing inside of me. And please, Lord, let Dodger behave.
Before I could even touch the handle on my door, it was already swinging open. A very domineering Dodger stood there waiting for me to get out.
“Hi,” he said meekly.
Geez, he almost sounded nervous to see me.
“Hi,” I said back as I stood up.
Shutting the door behind me, he lifted his arm to place his hand on my back, but thought better of it and let it drop to his side.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, why?”
“Uh, you seem nervous.”
“Nah, I’m good.”
Liar. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He was too stiff. Still incredibly delectable, but that was a given. He was wearing a pair of worn jeans, and a black Henley that hugged his skin nicely. His blue eyes stuck out in stark contrast to the colors he had on. Don’t even get me started on his scent. Dodger’s very presence screamed sex appeal. God, I’d have to get control of these pregnancy hormones.
We made our way inside of the building. It was several stories. I told him we had to take the elevator to the second floor and directed him down a couple hallways. I wasn’t unfamiliar with where Doctor Carrie worked. I’d been here a few times to deliver lab results because he’d rushed them. The waiting room was a calm environment. There were two rows of chairs, along with one black leather couch up against the wall that faced the front desk. The wall beside it had a counter with a Keurig and K-cups galore to choose from with all the fixings. There was even a mini fridge under the counter that held small bottles of water. Dr. Carrie really wanted his patients to be as comfortable as they could be.
After being greeted by girl behind the desk, she handed me some paperwork to fill out and photocopied my ID and insurance card. It didn’t take long to get it done before I was being called back. The nurse handed me a cup to go pee in, and instructed me what to do with it when I was done. She weighed me after that. I’d lost several pounds from being sick. Dodger didn’t seem pleased by the number. Jack ass, it wasn’t like I had gained. Just wait, I’d be as big as a house. We were led to a room and the nurse did a few standard things.
“Blood pressure is perfect, and temperature is ninety-eight point seven.” She wrote the information down on a new sheet to start my record. After that she stood and took out two paper cloths from a drawer. “Put this one on, open in the front. And this one draped over your legs. Dr. Carrie will be doing a pap smear, lab work, and gathering all of your family history.”
After she left, I looked over at Dodger. He sat with his back straight. He looked so ridged.
“Relax. It’s not like they are going to be probing around in your vagina.”
He pierced me with a sharp stare. “Not funny.”
I cracked a smile. “Awe, come on. It’s a little funny.”
He shook his head. I fidgeted with my paper gown. I hated these things. At least they told me which side to have open this time. Last time I had to wear one of these the doctor wanted it open in the back. When they came in, there were my boobs in all their glory. Talk about embarrassing.
“Could you please close your eyes, or turn around or something?”
He furrowed his brows. “I’ve seen you naked, Macie.”
“Okay, and that was when we were dating or about to fuck each other. Please, entertain me and close your eyes.”
The blue of his eyes disappeared behind his closed lids. He wasn’t happy that I was shutting myself away from him, but undressing in a situation like this was nothing like stripping down and getting hot and bothered. Call me crazy, but paper gowns and needles just didn’t get me off.
“Okay, you’re safe.” I was sitting on the exam table, my legs dangling.
He looked at me, completely perplexed. He seemed like he was about to say something to me, but there was a knock on the door and Dr. Carrie came walking in. I sat taller and brought the front of the gown together.
“Good afternoon, Macie.” He beamed at me.
“Hello.”
He looked at Dodger and went to him holding his hand out. “Hi, I’m Dr. Carrie. I believe I’ll be the one treating Macie for the next six months. You are?”
“Dodger,” he replied, shaking his hand.
“Ah, the baby daddy.” He joked.
I could tell he was trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere in the room.
“That’s me.”
I laughed even if I didn’t find it funny. I felt nervous despite knowing everything that was going to go on today.
“So,” he said, flipping through a couple of papers. “What I’d like to do is get some general information from the both of you. Family history, information when your last period was, stuff like that. Then I’ll have the nurse come back in to take a few tubes of blood. After that I’ll wrap this all up with a quick exam and you both can be on your way.” He smiled.