Drew scowled. “Okay, I already have a husband nagging at me.”
Jordan put a hand on his shoulder. “I care. I never miss an appointment anymore.”
Since Jordan’s climb back up from addiction, he’d become as avid about exercising and health as Luke. Drew had never seen him happier or more fit. He’d truly changed his life.
“I know. I’m proud of you. I gotta go.”
“See you tomorrow.”
The car ride to his doctor in downtown Brooklyn took less than ten minutes, and when he checked in with the receptionist, he was whisked right into the examination room. The nurse took his weight and blood pressure, both of which hadn’t changed in years, and filled several vials with blood for tests. Feeling smug, he put on one of those awful paper gowns and waited for the doctor. He’d go home and thumb his nose at Ash, whose own doctor had told him to be careful about a slight upward tick in his blood pressure.
The door opened, and the doctor breezed in. Eric Goldfarb was around Drew’s age and reminded him of Ash, with his shining dark hair and piercing light-gray eyes. Eric was more muscled, though, having played football in college. Over the years they’d become friendly and had gone out socially with Ash and Eric’s partner. However, Eric had recently broken up with his boyfriend after coming home early from a conference and discovering him in bed with another man.
“Drew, long time no see.” Eric folded his arms and stared down his nose at Drew, dark brows drawn together.
“Okay, okay, I know it’s been a while.”
“I’d almost debated sending out a reminder card this year. Glad you came. Let’s see what we’ve got.” He scrolled down on the screen. “Everything perfect so far. Time for the in-depth part you love.”
Drew rolled his eyes and stretched out on the table while Eric went about with his thorough exam. He winced at the sound of the gloves being snapped on, knowing what was coming.
“Don’t tense.” A cold, slick finger probed his rectum, and Drew breathed lightly, hoping he wouldn’t get an erection like last time. He’d never been more embarrassed, even with Eric telling him it was perfectly normal.
Eric withdrew and pulled off the gloves and took out another pair. “When you’re ready, roll over, so I can check your scrotum.”
“Just a sec,” Drew said faintly. He squeezed his eyes shut tight for a moment, then turned to face Eric, who waited at the end of the table.
“Spread your legs, please.”
Glad for the impersonal manner with which Eric performed the most personal of exams, Drew relaxed, closed his eyes, and began to think about what he and Ash would have for dinner. Maybe some cold rotisserie chicken and a salad. It took a few moments for him to realize that Eric had been checking his testicles for a prolonged time.
“Uh, is everything okay down there?”
Eric glanced up at him minus his usual smile. “Did you know one of your testicles is swollen? Have you been having any pain lately?”
“No, not at all.” He braced up on his elbows. “What’s wrong?”
“I’d like to do some more blood tests and an ultrasound. Do you have time?”
“What? Now?”
“Yes, now.” Eric’s steady gaze was equally reassuring and frightening. “You know diagnosis is very important. I’ll send Demitra in to take a little more blood for the screening.”
“Screening? What do you mean?”
“Drew. Let’s do the tests and go from there, okay?” Eric’s soft voice did nothing to reassure him.
“Cancer?” His mouth dried at the word. “I have cancer?”
“Stop speculating. We don’t know anything yet. That’s why I’m doing this test. To look for markers. Okay?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“But I know you aren’t listening to me. As doctors, we know too much and make the worst patients.” Eric patted his knee before leaving the exam room. “I’ll be back soon.” Drew’s head spun and he tried to hold on to the thought that it was nothing. He’d had no pain during sex, no discomfort. Maybe he had an infection. That was the most likely scenario. Eric was worrying for nothing. Drew breathed easier, even as he watched the technician wheel in the ultrasound machine. It was all going to be okay.
Chapter Three
“First I’m goingto kiss him; then I’ll kill him.”
