“Doesn’t that law only pertain to things like mental health, STIs and birth control?” I question.
The doctor nods and my breath hitches. “Yes, which is why Gemma consented for me to inform you that she’d been prescribed and began taking birth control pills for the past two weeks.”
“I don’t understand,” I start, but pause, trying to think of subtle changes to her moods the past few months. Things had started to getbetter, but now that I think about it, she started getting moodier the past week or so, which could’ve been due to her sugar levels fluctuating.
I should’ve known—should’ve been paying better attention.
“I think it’s best if you talk to her. Starting any new medication can impact blood sugar levels, but there is a greater potential for her levels to be impacted from birth control. Typically for my diabetic patients, I recommend a non-hormonal birth control or condoms.”
Bennett chokes out a cough beside me and he looks so uncomfortable but also like he might punch a hole through the wall.
“I think maybe we should go in there and you can talk to Gems while Connelly and I have a little chat,” Bennett suggests as he chances a glance at me.
“Okay, but don’t lose your temper,” I warn him.
“No promises,” he grunts in response.
When we walk into her hospital room, Nathan is sitting beside Gemma’s hospital bed, running his fingers through his hair before placing his stocking cap back on his head. I place my hand across Bennett’s chest to halt him from making our presence known, and when he looks at me in confusion I just shake my head. Placing my finger over my mouth, I signal for him to be quiet.
“I don’t get it, Gems. Why take the risk if you knew that it could affect your blood sugars?” Nathan asks her in a gruff tone.
She scoffs. “You don’t get it. Can you please just drop it? Thank you for saving me. Now, let it go and move on.”
“Move on? You were being reckless with your life. And for what? Some high school boy who’s trying to get in your pants?”
“I’m not talking to you about my sex life or lack thereof with your brother!” she shouts at him.
Bennett turns to look at me with wide eyes.Well, that clears up a lot of the confusion. Colton.
Nathan looks like he’s going to be sick and like he’s ready to punch a wall of his own at the same time.
Bennett leans in to whisper in my ear, “I knew I didn’t like that little fucker the moment I saw him with her.”
“There’s such a thing as condoms for fuck’s sake,” Nathan tells her. “And unless you’re allergic, they won’t kill you.”
“It wasn’t for sex!” she nearly screams. “How many times do I have to explain myself? As I already told the doctor, I have acne and a few girls at school said it helped them. You don’t understand.”
“So? I’ve got acne too, it doesn’t make you any less beautiful, Gems.”
“Cut the shit and be real for once, Nathan.”
“You want real? I’m pissed at you right now. In fact, I’m furious that you were so completely reckless and you drew me into your web of lies. Why didn’t you tell anyone about your skating or your decision to go on freaking birth control?”
“It’s none. Of. Your. Business.”
He lets out a menacing chuckle as he shakes his head. “You’re right. You’ve made that abundantly clear, and yet I can’t seem to take the hint.” He stands from the chair and grabs his jacket. “I should go.”
That’s when he notices the two of us standing by the door and his face falls. “I’m heading out. Sorry again, Scarlett. Bennett,” he says and nods as he passes by us into the hallway where Bennett starts to follow him, but I grab onto his arm.
“You heard the same thing I did. He was just being a friend to her. Go easy on him. In fact, please thank him for me.”
“I will, Red. I’ve got a favor to ask of him, but then I’ll thank him for us.” He leans in and kisses my forehead before he says in a hushed voice, “I’m not going to play the game tonight. I want to make sure both you and Gemma are okay and then I’ll go pick up Gunner from your grandparents’ house.”
My eyes widen in shock. “Bennett, you don’t need to do that. We’ll be fine. You have to play.”
“I know you’re strong, Scar, but we’re a family. And the moment you agreed to marry me, that meant you agreed to have me there to lean on in good times and bad too. Things might not be official yet, but Gemma and Gunner are mine just the same as you are mine.” He pulls me in for a hug and when his lips touch my forehead again, my eyes well with unshed tears.
“Okay. I love you, I’ll see you in a bit,” I tell him before he turns and walks into the hallway.
