her blond head bobbing up and down. “I would like to speak with you, Faye. In private.” She glanced at Rhett.
I was about to accept her offer. I didn’t feel nervous anymore, not with her. Plus the tests were over.
“I promised her I would stay with her, Dr. Paul. She’s not much for doctors,” he said gently.
Sally looked to me for conformation and I nodded, feeling too overwhelmed to contest it.
“Okay,” she said. “I did notice there was some slight vaginal tearing, new tears as well as some scars.” She glanced between Rhett and I and our intertwined fingers. “Rough sex play is okay, but I suggest taking it easy. You don’t want to injure yourself permanently.”
My whole face seemed to catch on fire. Rhett let go of my hand simultaneously. I just assumed that Rhett had told her when he made the appointment that I was his prostitute step-sister.
“We aren’t a couple.” His words were so cold I could feel the ice sink into my skin.
She eyed the two of us, curiosity in her gaze. “Okay, well either way. Whoever you have sex with is your business, but you need to make sure you take it easy.” She smiled lightly. “Also—”
“What about birth control? I think it would be good if she was set up with some,” Rhett interrupted.
I cringed. I should have made him go wait outside after all.
Dr. Paul glanced between us again. “That’s what I was going to talk about next. Though not about birth control specifically.” She looked down at the chart in her hands.
“What is it?” I could feel Rhett’s penetrating gaze on me. I could feel the hate—it was back. Gone for a short time only to return in full force.
“Are you on any hormone supplements, Faye, prescribed by a different doctor?”
I shook my head. “Not anymore. I used to be, but it’s been several years since I’ve taken anything.”
“Considering the circumstances you’re very lucky that you haven’t gone into early menopause. I’m going to write you a prescription. It’s very important you stay on them, especially with how young you are.”
“Okay.” I glanced over at Rhett. A frown seemed to be etched into his face.
“What does this have to do with birth control?”
Dr. Paul glanced between us, a neutral look on her face. “I think I’ll give you two a minute.” She grabbed the sample cups. “You’re free to get dressed, Faye.” The door closed behind her quickly.
“Why did she act weird about the birth control?” Rhett asked the second she was gone. “And what is this stuff about hormones?”
I wanted to laugh at how ridiculous he sounded asking all these questions, but I couldn’t. Reality was suffocating.
I turned slowly to look at him. He sat with his hands clenched in his lap, his left thumb rubbing the right, repeatedly, in quick motions. “I don’t need birth control.”
Rhett frowned and cocked his head. “You’re a nineteen year old woman who actively has sex. You need birth control,” he said forcefully.
“I don’t.” I climbed off the table and snatched the underwear and yoga pants off the floor.
“Yeah. You do.” He watched me intently while I put them on. He couldn’t see anything—the hospital gown hid it all, and I hadn’t taken my top off. But his eyes were just the same. They made me feel like I was wearing nothing. Like I was exposed for the world to see. My fingers shook, fumbled over the stretchy material. I felt raw, exposed. More exposed than I ever had in my life, which was saying something.
“No I don’t!” I huffed, jerking my arms out of the gown. “I don’t need fucking birth control because I can’t have kids!” My chest heaved like I’d been running.
Rhett stood, but didn’t move toward me. “What do you mean? How could you even know that? You’re so young.”
“Yeah, well,” I snatched my purse off the floor and looped it around my neck. “I had my uterus removed when I was fifteen.” I didn’t look at him when I spoke, but instead