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“Goddammit, Nixon.”

“What’s the big deal? Aren’t you on the pill or something?”

“Yeah, but that’s not the point.”

“What is the point?” I ask her, defensive.

She sits up on the edge of the bed silent, and I don’t like how she’s closing herself off to me about this. “Talk to me.” I pull her back against my chest and she says, “How do I know you’re clean?”

“How do I know you are?” I jive back, not appreciating that she’s accusing me of such a thing.

“I always use protection,” she says.

“And so do I.”

“So this has never happened? Your fucking cock’s huge; I’m sure you’ve had a condom break.”

“What, this little old thing?” I tease her, but she’s not having it as she glares at me. “No way, and if I did, I’d go and get tested. Plus, the Coast Guard made me go through one hell of a physical.”

Kissing the top of her shoulder like she likes, I hope this conversation is over. What a shitty thing to have to talk about.