Page 102 of Fractured Future

I stumble like I’ve been slapped right across the face. “W-What?”

“Don’t take it personally. We all have to do it.” Warner winks at me. “Even me.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Wish I was, Em. You wanted this, remember?”

I’m suddenly starting to regret agreeing to this job.

“I’m not seeing a doctor, Warner. You know what they did to me in Mexico. If you expect me to trust some idiot in a white coat after that, you’re mistaken.”

When I brush past him to walk up the steps, he quickly follows, fingers latching around my sweaty bicep before I can escape inside.

“Wait,” he urges.

“Forget it!”

“I understand what you’ve been through, but I can’t get around this. We’ll assign a female doctor—one of our best. Hell, I’ll even go with you.”

“No! That’s not the point!”

“I’m sorry, Em,” he attempts to placate. “You have to be medically cleared for training.”

Chin lowering, I squeeze the bridge of my crooked nose. The horrendous violations we all endured is reason enough to give me trust issues. Add to that my debilitating episodes, and I have a lot to hide.

“Is this really non-negotiable?”

“Yes,” he replies with finality.

“Shit. Fine, but I want a female. And you aresonot coming.”

Hands lifting, Warner spreads them in surrender. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Just want you to feel safe and supported.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Alright, I’ll make the arrangements. It’s non-invasive, totally standard procedure. You’ll breeze through it.”

Nodding in defeat, I steer to safer topics. “So… us? Living together?”

His lips roll inwards as he fights a smile. “I practically lived at your house growing up. I think I can handle sharing an apartment with you. Just… don’t bring any dates home, alright?”

“Um, why?”

Giving up the fight, Warner flashes me a full grin. “I’d hate to have to bludgeon any inadequate shitbag who thinks he has a chance with you.”

“You… This… Jesus.” I splutter in dismay while scrubbing my sweat-streaked face. “This is insane.”

“I’m joking, Em.”

“Are you?” I groan, my fierce headache seeming to kick up a notch.

“Mostly,” Warner guffaws.

“I’m being serious! Fuck!”

“Hey, it’s going to be fine. We’ve had women on the team before, and the guys will behave themselves. Nothing to worry about.”

“Nothing to worry about, apart from living with three men?”