Wireless communications systems and methods related to communicating in a shared communication medium with flexible scheduling are provided. A first wireless communication device communicates, with a second wireless communication device during a reservation period, a channel reservation request for a first transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a spectrum. The first wireless communication device communicates, with the second wireless communication device during a response period in response to the channel reservation request, a channel reservation response. The first wireless communication device communicates, with a third wireless communication device during a first time period between the reservation period and the response period, a first communication signal.