Page 30 of Beyond Repair, Part One (Damaged Duet #1)

Nina

I t's hard to believe anyone enjoys going to the doctor. Add severe anxiety on top of a depressing lack of social skills, and going to the doctor feels absolutely terrifying. And awkward. So, so awkward.

Thankfully, Henry doesn't ask questions as I approach him in the lobby. When he steals the keys from my hand, I want to ask questions, but I've hit my limit.

Unfortunately, my reprieve doesn't last long enough for me to buckle my seatbelt. "Nina, are you okay? You look really flushed. Are you sick?"

I bet my toes turn beet red, too. My gosh, what do I say? "No, I'm not sick." There, I answered his question. Maybe now he'll take me home.

Yet he still doesn't put the car in drive. "Okay, then..."

"Henry, I'm fine, okay?" Dread descends, making my heart hammer in my chest and my eyes widen. "I'm sorry!" I quickly add as fear strips me of all thought process beyond the fact that I snapped at him.

Oh my gosh, I snapped at a man. I don't do confrontation. Why didn't I just tell him?! I'll tell him! Anything to get the frown wiped from his beautiful face.

"I had to get my IUD taken out because it's been in for too long and now they don't want to replace it since there's a high probability it's messing with my weight and definitely my hormones which might be influencing my appetite and anxiety and?—"

"Woah, pretty girl. Take a deep breath," Henry coos, grabbing my hand and pressing my palm to his chest. "There you go. In and out....What is it that Trev likes to say? Ah, yes. Good girl ."

My calming breaths shift into an airy giggle as my tummy flutters. Trevor does like to say that to me, especially when I take a bite from his hand. Is that weird?

"No, it's not weird." I guess I voiced my thoughts . Henry smiles and rubs his thumb along the back of my hand. "Trev has some Daddy Dom tendencies."

My eyes widen in shock, but Henry just laughs and continues.

"No, he doesn't like to be called Daddy , but I bet he wouldn't mind if you called him Sir.

" He winks. "And are you really surprised?

Even as a fifteen-year-old he was feeding you, making sure you were warm, and had the general traits of someone who likes to take care of others.

As he's gotten older, those things have become a pillar of who he is.

I can't speak for in the bedroom, but maybe just be prepared for Trev to take the lead. "

My eyebrows are still in my hairline. "W-what? Why are you telling me this?"

Honestly, I’m not sure what's happening. I just spilled the beans about my embarrassing doctor’s visit and now we're talking about Trevor's sexual preferences.

I'm not na?ve, even if I am a virgin. Thankfully, my sexual side is fully functioning since that's the only part of me that wasn't abused or taken advantage of.

Have I thought about the guys in that way? Yes. Since I was a teen and haven't stopped. Sometimes fantasizing about them late at night while I...touch myself is the only way I can get a few hours of sleep.

Would I take that step? Yes, BUT, does my anxiety cripple my confidence? Double yes. And could I choose? No. But Henry and Kai did .

Blinking away the upsetting inner monologue before I ruin my already unhinged mood, I focus back on Henry's probing gaze. "Neen, come on. You know we all had a crush on you." Do I know that? "Time hasn't changed our feelings."

OUR?!

"I'm sorry for pushing about the appointment," Henry continues like he didn't just drop a confusing bomb on me.

"I'm worried about what they said about your weight and hormones.

The fact that they didn't replace the IUD is also worrisome.

I hope they talked through the side effects and you asked questions. "

I nod, just like I did through most of my appointment. It's easier to agree than to explain that I didn't even know what to ask. I want my mom . I make a mental note to call her as Henry starts the car with a lingering glance at me.

"I'm here if you want to talk about anything or if you just need a snuggle, okay?"

"Okay," I whisper, and scold my aching uterus for perking up at the thought of being close to him.

As we're exiting the parking lot, Henry grins at me. "Let's meet the guys for lunch. What do you say?"

No. I don't say that, though. Instead, I twist my hands in my lap and nibble on my lip. I can give him some of the truth and maybe he can decide. "I don't feel very good, Hen," I murmur. "Taking it out, it, um, it hurt."

Concern furrows his brow, and he steals my left hand back. "I didn't think of that. Thank you for telling me, Nina. I'm proud of you for opening up."

What?

"I'll tell Trev to get some ice cream. Be ready for alpha male spoon feeding while we snuggle."

Two of them are getting married and the other two don't want you, my insecurities roar.

My anxiety takes a back seat when Henry kisses my hand and places it on his thigh. My body flushes with some form of neediness I don't think I've ever actually experienced.

I don't recognize myself without the trembles and self-deprecating thoughts. But I think I might like this new form of intimacy. Can I handle more?