I stick my head out while conditioner sits in my hair. “It’s just a checkup, and the whole thing is uncomfortable as it is. Plus, you have practice.”
He nods. The head coach can’t just take time off because his girlfriend is having period problems. “Call me after.”
“I’m coming to the office after.”
“Perfect, I’ll come see you.” He leaves the room and whistles for Rocky to follow him.
I finish getting ready, lotion up my legs and body, put on a wrap dress and a pair of heels. I’ve started keeping some of my things here at Kane’s since I spend so much time here. It’s just easier.
After I’m ready, I have about fifteen minutes to get there and it’s ten minutes away.
“I made you an egg sandwich.” Kane hands me something wrapped in foil. “Here’s your coffee.” He puts a to-go mug of his on the counter.
I take the time to kiss him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Let me know when you’re done?”
“Of course.”
I snatch the sandwich and the coffee, shaking my head over how we became so domesticated so fast. Him making me a to-go breakfast and looking so concerned because I’m going to the doctor. Regardless, it feels like a safety net around me, and I don’t hate it.
“Bye, Rocky.” I pet his head, and he wags his tail.
Kane watches out the front door as I pull out of the driveway. I speed down the street, knowing if I’m too late, they won’t let me see the doctor.
Why do I rush to these appointments? You always end up waiting way past your appointment time, regardless of what time you arrive.
A half an hour after my appointment time, a nurse opens the door and everyone looks up, hoping their name will be called. Lucky for me, she calls my name. I practically jump up because it’s as if I won the lottery. Especially when all the pregnant people in the office made me feel like the room was closing in.
The nurse, Helen, weighs me and takes me to a room where she asks me why I’m here. We go over the spotting and how I’m on the pill and sexually active. She gives me a gown and says Dr. Winston will be right in.
I hurry to change before the dreaded knock on the door. For some reason, I’m always afraid I won’t undress in time, but then I end up on the chair/lounger thing forever, thinking they forgot about me.
Busying myself with my phone, I scroll through Instagram to see all my friends living their best lives. I type in Kane’s name to see if he’s added anything personal to his profile, but there’s only a picture of Rocky. Other than that, it’s just professional things.
A knock on the door has me putting my phone down on my abdomen.
“Come in,” I say, and Dr. Winston walks in with a wide smile. A nurse follows her in and goes to sit in the chair in the corner.
“Jana, how are you?” She goes to the computer and scans her badge.
“Hey, Dr. Winston, I’m okay.”
“Running a hockey team must not be easy. I hope you’re doing something to release the stress.”
I laugh, and she looks at me. “Oh yeah. I’m fine.”
I explain to her about my periods, and she listens to my concerns, typing them in my chart on the computer.
“Well, this pill has always worked for you, but sometimes things change. Let’s do some blood tests and check your hormones. Maybe we’ll try another pill. First, let’s do an exam and get a PAP test to make sure there are no concerns there.”
She makes conversation about the players while she does my exam and tells me how much she loves Warner, especially the pictures he shares of him and his son on Instagram.
“Are they all taken now?” she asks.
“Most of our team are in committed relationships. I had no idea you were a hockey fan.”
She laughs. “I’m not a hockey fan. I just like hockey players. Speaking of, I heard a rumor about the coach… but you don’t have to answer.”
I chuckle. “It’s true.”
She peeks up from between my legs with a huge smile. “I kind of miss watching him play. He always made stopping those pucks look so easy.”
“Yeah, I think he might miss it too.”
She slides out from between my legs, removes her gloves, then offers me her hand and helps me to sit back up. “Everything looks good. Go ahead and get dressed. I’ll send the nurse in for a blood draw, and we’ll send it in to the lab. Someone will call you with the results in a few days, and we’ll go from there.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“My suspicion is you may just need a higher dose since you’re having break-through bleeding, but this will give us a good direction to go in.” She leaves the room.
Again, I feel like it’s a race to get dressed so I don’t moon the poor nurse.
I shoot Kane a quick text since he seemed so concerned earlier.
Me: Getting bloodwork for answers. Doctor isn’t concerned.
Kane: Good news.
I stuff my phone into my purse, and the nurse comes in and takes five vials of blood. I wonder why she needs that much. When I leave the office, I find everyone at the front desk is extra smiley and whispering to one another. I think Dr. Winston might have a big mouth.
It only takes me a half hour to get to the office, and when I arrive, Barbara hands me a stack of handwritten messages. I read through them while I walk to my desk and sit in my chair, but I can’t concentrate on work.
Something just feels off, but I can’t put my finger on it.
An hour later, I hear Kane outside my office. “Morning, Barbara, no interruptions.”
He walks in, shuts the door, and locks it. My head tilts.
“What are you doing?” My phone rings as soon as the words leave my mouth.
“Don’t answer that.”
I glance at my phone. “It’s Imogen.”
“Don’t answer.”
There’s a knock on the door. “Kane, I saw you go in there. Barbara, call into her office, please.” It’s Imogen outside my office now.
“What’s going on? Is she trying to get you to do that piece for Sports Illustrated?” I ask.
He stands at the door like a bodyguard. “No, I told her I’d do that, and that’s when she tried to trick me.”
My desk phone rings, and I pick it up. “Hello, Barbara.”
“Imogen Jacobs-Langley would like to talk to you.”
“Please send her in.” I look across the room at my boyfriend. “Kane, get away from the door.”
“Trust me when I say you do not want her to come in here.” He looks so serious, I want to laugh. Like he’s a little kid who got caught doing something bad and is hiding from his parents.
“What’s with you? Let the poor woman in.”
“You asked for it.” He unlocks the door and walks farther into the office.
“Send Imogen in,” I tell Barbara.
The door opens and Imogen walks in, scowling at Kane as she sits in the chair in front of my desk. “Hi, Jana. I love that dress on you.”
“Stop kissing up,” Kane says, standing off to the side with his arms crossed.
I turn to him. “I like to think I do look good in this dress.”