Randy (Tales of the Merman Book 2) Read online

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Randy fidgeted nervously as he glanced over at Tevon. The doctor's office was crowded, adding to his discomfort. He didn't mind humans, but being shut in a small waiting room with a bunch of them wasn't his favorite thing. Tevon looked just as uncomfortable as he was.

  The thought of what waited behind the office door didn't help matters. To have a human doctor probing his body, especially his cock, caused his stomach to tighten.

  "You okay?" Tevon placed his hand over Randy's knee as he glanced up at him.

  "Yeah, just want this over. Want to know one way or the other if I'll be normal again." Randy kept his voice low, not wanting anyone to hear.

  "This hardly makes you abnormal."

  "You know what I mean."

  "It's going to be fine."

  "I hope so." Randy slumped back into his chair as he covered Tevon's hand with his own.

  "Randy?" A nurse called from the doorway. "Come on back."

  Randy looked over at Tevon and nodded as he pushed up out of his seat. "Let's get this over."

  Tevon stood, and followed Randy out of the waiting room to a small exam room. The nurse took several moments to take Randy's vital signs, while Tevon sat in a small chair against the wall.

  Once the nurse left, Randy turned to Tevon. "I wish there was another way."

  "Me, too, but there isn't. This is our best option." Tevon nodded to the pictures of male anatomy on the wall "Dr. Brisk is one of the best. If anyone can fix this, he can."

  Randy nodded, but bit his lip. What if the doctor couldn't fix it? Up until now, there was always hope, but if this doctor couldn't repair the damage, he'd have to finally face that this was his life and he'd never get hard again.

  A knock on the door caused Randy's heart to skip. As it opened, a small, blond haired man stepped inside the room.

  "Hi, I'm Dr. Brisk." He offered his hand to Randy.

  "Nice to meet you." Randy shook his hand.

  "Kevin." Tevon stepped up beside them. "Good to see you again."

  "Tevon, it's been years. How have you been?" Dr. Brisk smiled.

  "I've been well. Have a good practice. Keeps me busy." Tevon placed a hand on Randy's shoulder. "I had my assistant schedule the appointment for Randy with you. I'm afraid his problem is beyond my skills. I was hoping you would be able to help him."

  "Well, what seems to be the problem?" Dr. Brisk pulled a stool over and sat down with a file folder and pen in his hand.

  Randy nodded to Tevon, giving him the go ahead to explain. It would be easier for Tevon to tell the story.

  "My patient suffered a shark attack. Most of the damage was to his hip and leg, but there was a bit of damage to his penis. I thought we got it all repaired, but now that he's healed, he hasn't been able to get an erection." Tevon kept his hand on Randy's shoulder. "I can't find any scar tissue or damage that would cause this. I was hoping you might be able to help."

  Dr. Brisk frowned. "A shark attack? Sounds like you're lucky to be alive." He made a few notes in his file. "I assume you have tried manually arousing yourself?"

  Randy blushed and nodded. "I've tried several things. Nothing works."

  "You have feeling?"

  "Yes, everything feels just like it did before the attack."

  "Do you mind if I take a look?" Dr. Brisk set the file on the counter and stood.

  "I don't mind," Randy said, even though he did.

  "Tevon perhaps you could wait in the waiting room to give him some privacy?" Dr. Brisk asked.

  Randy reached for Tevon's hand. "I'd like him to stay. He's my doctor, he's seen everything already."

  "Okay then. I'm going to step from the room. If you could just undress from the waist down. Here is a robe to put on. I'll be right back." Dr. Brisk left them alone.

  "I hate this." Randy stood and kicked off his shoes.

  "I know." Tevon kissed him before stepping back and allowing him room to change. "But if he can help you…"

  Randy sighed as he folded his pants and set them aside. "I hate these robes. Glad you never use them."

  Tevon laughed. "Too hard to get to the caves, but I was debating on getting some for the clinic."

  "Don't." Randy pulled the thin, cotton hospital gown on and sat back up on the exam table.

  "Objection noted." Tevon came to his side. "This is almost over. We can leave here and go shopping."

  "Our own bed."

  "Have to admit living inland is going to spoil me. Just one night at Sage's and I'm questioning why I wanted to stay in the caves." Tevon teased.

  "Me, too. And after being so out of shape and weak yesterday, I think it's best I take Heath up on his offer to run the apartments. I'm just not as strong as I used to be." Randy rubbed his hands down the gown.

  "If you decide to stay inland, so will I. It will take some getting used to, but I want to be where you are." Tevon reached for his hand.

  "Even if the doctor says I can't be fixed?"

  "Yes, even then. I've told you before it doesn't matter to me."

  No matter how many times he heard it, he still couldn't believe it didn't matter. He tried to put himself in Tevon's shoes, and he wasn't so sure he would be as open minded about things. Another knock on the door warned him the doctor was coming back in.

  "Okay, let's take a look. If you would just lie back, we can decide where to go from here."

  Randy laid back on the table, closing his eyes as he listened to the sound of the doctor snapping latex gloves on. He took a deep breath and prayed for a miracle.

  "Going to lift the gown up." The doctor moved the thin material aside. "With the amount of scarring on your hip, it looks as if you are lucky you didn't lose your leg." Dr. Brisk touched the scars over his hipbone.

  "There was a lot of damage. He was lucky," Tevon said.

  Randy opened his eyes and looked to his right where Tevon now stood. "Tevon saved my life."

  Dr. Brisk nodded. "I can't even imagine what you looked like when they brought you in. As for your penis, I don't see a lot of scars, but that doesn't mean there isn't any internally. No issue urinating?"

  "None. Everything is normal except I can't get hard." Randy frowned as the doctor moved his hand over his cock.

  "I can't see anything external, but I really need to get a look inside and see if there is some kind of damage or blockage. I'm going to arrange for you to have a few tests done. Once I get the results I'll know better where we go from here." He released Randy's cock. "I'm going to do a quick swab inside your urethra first."

  Randy tensed. "You have to do that?"

  "Yes, but I promise to be careful. You'll feel a bit of discomfort, but it shouldn't hurt."

  "Easy for you to say." Randy frowned.

  "Just relax. This will just take a moment."

  Randy turned his head and closed his eyes as the swab slid into his penis. He gritted his teeth, wishing he were back at the caves, away from this insanity.

  "Done." The doctor slipped off his gloves and pulled the gown back down over Randy's thighs. "I'll run this, and I think I can pull some strings and get you in for the other tests today if you are available."

  "We'd appreciate that." Tevon reached for Randy's hand.

  "What kind of tests are we talking about, Doc?" Randy sat up. He debated on just accepting his fate and going shopping with Tevon instead of going through more embarrassing medical tests.

  "Nothing serious. Just some scans. I need to see what is going on in there. Shouldn't take more than a couple hours of your time."

  Tevon nodded. "It won't be bad. You've come this far." He turned to the doctor. "If you can get us in today that would be great."

  Randy glared at Tevon. How dare he make the choice for him? He released Tevon's hand and stood up. Grabbing for his pants, he listened to Tevon and the doctor discuss the tests. He didn't fully understand half of what they said, and that only increased his frustration and anger.

  He dressed quickly, slipping his feet in his sho
es as the doctor said goodbye with a promise to call as soon as he had information.

  As the door closed, Randy turned to Tevon. "What if I didn't want the tests?"

  "Why wouldn't you? You want to fix this, don't you?" Tevon looked at him, shocked.

  "Not if it means I have to have humans fucking around with my cock all afternoon."

  "Hey, I'm sorry. I figured no matter what you had to do, you would want this fixed."

  Randy opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, not bothering to wait for Tevon. He made his way down the short hall, not stopping until he was outside in the fresh air. He inhaled deeply, grateful for the salty scent blowing in from the ocean.

  "Randy, I didn't mean to upset you. We can forget the tests." Tevon stopped beside him.

  Randy rubbed his hand over his forehead. "I thought this would be easy."

  "It's just a few tests, most of them like x-rays. You're going to lay back and let them take some pictures. No one is going to be fondling you. I promise, it won't be bad." Tevon took his hand. "I know it sucks having all this done, but it will be worth it if we can get you working again."

  Randy stared at Tevon, realizing that this didn't just affect him. It mattered to Tevon too. Their sex life would never be normal if he didn't go in. Did that mean that Tevon was lying when he said it didn't matter? Would it matter after a while? "Where do we have to go?"

  "Just across town to the hospital. He was going to call and see if we could get right in. I have the paperwork here for everything." Tevon held up a stack of papers the doctor had handed him as they talked.

  They'd borrowed Gary's car for the day, so getting there wouldn't be an issue. "Let's go. Sooner this is over with the better."

  "I'm really sorry, Rand. I didn't even think you might not want the tests."

  "I do want them. I'm just not comfortable with everyone looking at my shit, knowing what's wrong with me. Now I have to worry about the doctor calling Everest since that's the number I put on the forms." Randy tossed the keys to Tevon. "You drive better than I do."

  "Only because I had a car when I was in school." Tevon slid into the driver's seat.

  Randy sat beside him, and slammed the door harder than he meant to. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to living on land."

  "We don't have to spend all our time on the land. It's not like we have to go far to find water." Tevon pulled out into traffic. "If we get done with things at the hospital early enough, maybe we can get some shopping in. Staying with Sage isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, but I'd like to have our own place set up. I need to get back to the caves. I hate leaving them without a doctor."

  "Everest or Sage would get hold of you if anything major happened. It's a quick swim back, at least for you, if something happened. I have to admit after running out of air, I'm a bit nervous about going back."

  "We'll get your energy built back up. You'll be as good as new in no time." Tevon weaved onto the freeway.

  Having lived in the caves his whole life, Randy hated traffic. He liked the ocean, the openness, the freedom. He watched the humans rushing around and wondered how Everest managed to live inland so much of his life. It was going to be a change for both him and Tevon. "Thanks for staying with me today." He reached over and set his hand on Tevon's thigh. "I'm not sure I would have the nerve to do this alone."

  "Nowhere I'd rather be. But at the hospital, they probably won't let me go with you. I'll be in the waiting room for most of it."

  Letting humans poke and prod him wasn't his idea of fun. "Just so they hurry."

  "I'll buy you dinner once we're done. Anywhere you like." Tevon pulled off the freeway and nodded toward a large building. "We're here."

  "Tell me again why I'm doing this." Randy sighed as Tevon pulled into the parking lot.

  "I'll remind you tonight exactly why you're doing this."

  Randy grinned. "Then maybe we can skip dinner. I'd much more enjoy you reminding me." He bent across the front seat as Tevon parked. "Thank you for giving me reason to want this."

  With a soft kiss, Tevon whispered. "You can thank me later."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Randy moved the small coffee table into place and gave the room a final inspection. They'd spent the last two days shopping, and buying all the stuff they would need for the small apartment. The furniture company delivered most their furniture and now all they needed to do was set everything up.

  "Think we should hang the TV on this wall or that one?" Randy pointed across the room.

  "I was thinking this one." Tevon tapped his fist on the wall. "We can slide that couch under the window a bit more."

  "We should have got that recliner." Randy grinned as he plugged in a lamp.

  "We couldn't sit together in that thing." Tevon tossed a ball of bubble wrap at him.

  "Wanna bet." Randy caught the wrap and popped several of the bubbles.

  "Anyone home?" Everest called from the stairway leading up to their apartment.

  "Upstairs, come on up." Tevon called.

  Randy tossed the bubble wrap on the coffee table and sat down on the couch. "I could get used to this."

  "Me, too. After a couple nights in a real bed, I'm really not looking forward to going back to the caves." Tevon sat down beside him.

  "Well, look at you two all nice and comfy." Everest stepped into the living room as he reached back and tied his long blond hair into a ponytail. "Maybe now you'll understand why I spend so much time on land."

  "And I always thought it was because of the women." Randy grinned at him. "Have a seat. I'd offer you a drink, but we haven't hit the store yet."

  Everest sat down on the small love seat. "I won't be long. I have a date tonight with one of those women you mentioned, but I got a message for you today from a Dr. Brisk. Figured I better let you know."

  Randy paled. "What did he say?"

  "Nothing, he wouldn't give me any information, and trust me, I tried to get it. Just said to have you call him back to get your test results." Everest narrowed his eyes. "Care to tell me why you're seeing a human doctor?"

  He knew it would come to this. There was no hiding anything from his brothers. At least Barron was gone, but word would reach him before too long. He dreaded the jokes and teasing. "It's nothing really."

  "Tevon handles our medical issues. If you're seeing a human, it's something. I looked up the doctor's name online. There were two. One is a gynecologist, the other a urologist. I think I can guess which of the two you went to see." Everest leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees. "What's going on, Rand?"

  A long sigh echoed through the room as Randy slumped back against the couch. "It's nothing really. I'm fine. There was just some damage to my penis where the shark's tooth got me. It's not bad, everything pretty much works as normal."

  "Pretty much?" Everest raised a brow. "Like you can pee most the time, but not all?"

  Randy laughed. "No, I can pee just fine. It's a bit more technical that that."

  Everest sat back, crossing his long legs at the ankles. "You know I'm not leaving until you explain."

  "You want me to leave so you two can talk?" Tevon asked.

  "No, you're fine. I'll need you here to keep me from killing him once he starts with the jokes." Randy shifted nervously. "You tell anyone about this and I'll kill you, Ev."

  "Fuck, you know me better than that. I'm not going to go telling everyone your medical problems." Everest actually looked hurt.

  It was best to just say it and get it over. "I haven't been able to get hard since the accident."

  Everest looked horrified. "You can't get hard? Like no sex? No…" He shook his head. "You're serious?"

  "He's lucky the shark only nipped it. He could have lost the whole thing." Tevon placed his hand on Randy's thigh. "I thought I repaired everything, but seems I missed something."

  "You didn't miss anything. You did the best you could with what you had," Randy told him. He hated the guilt Tevon seemed to feel over his i
njury. He didn't blame him a bit. "Tevon can't find a reason why I can't get hard so he suggested I see a human doctor. I went in for a bunch of tests the other day. I'm sure the call was to let me know the results."

  Everest shook his head. "I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't…" He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and tossed it to Randy, then handed him a piece of paper with a number on it. "It's only three. He should still be in the office. Give him a call back and find out if he can fix your shit."

  Randy caught the phone and took the paper, his pulse racing as he glanced down at the number. "Did he sound like it was good or bad news?"

  Everest shook his head. "Didn't give me a hint either way."

  "You want me to call for you?" Tevon offered.

  "Nah, I need to do this." He stood and without looking back at the other two, walked into the bedroom and closed the door.

  It was crazy to be nervous, but as he punched the number into the phone, he felt as if his life hung in the balance based on whatever information he received.

  ****

  Tevon sighed as he looked across the room at Everest. "I feel like I failed him."

  "Not a chance, Doc. You saved his life. I'm sure you did everything you could. I have to admit I'm a bit shocked by this. I could have sworn I heard you both going at it in his chamber one night."

  A blush worked up Tevon's neck, heating his face. What was he supposed to say to that? "Just because one part doesn't work doesn't mean he's dead."

  "But how…" Everest stood and laughed. "Never mind. The options going through my head are more than I want. Do you think this doctor can fix it?"

  "I don't know. Hopefully, he can tell us what is wrong and we can go from there. I took extra care to make sure that I did everything I could." Tevon fisted his hands at his side. "I keep wondering if I could have done more, but even with the new clinic and equipment we are getting, I'm not sure it would have helped."

  "Don't blame yourself. This isn't anyone's fault, well, other than his for sacrificing himself to the shark the way he did." Everest stared out the window. "I guess I always took for granted that my brothers would always be around. Seeing him nearly killed was a wake-up call. I don't know how you saved him, but I owe you more than I could ever give for saving him." He glanced back over his shoulder at Tevon. "You're good for him. I'm glad you're together."