Page 27 of Tough Score

"Yeah, well, physical therapists don't typically have those," she shoots back.

"I know. I already looked."

Even with only the blue light of the TV casting a glow across Keely's face, I can see the blush warm on her cheeks.

"You looked me up?" she asks, genuine surprise in her voice.

"I tried. I couldn't find anything on Keely Woods," I say. "Unless it's under something else. You're not secretly married or something, are you?"

Her eyes widen, and for a moment, she looks like she’s forgotten to breathe. But then I see the softness in her eyes when she realizes I'm joking.

She shakes her head. "No, I'm not secretly married. Just an ordinary PT with a passion for ice cream and a knack for proving you wrong."

"Well, the PT and ice cream are true at least," I say, unable to suppress a smile. "I guess you're just a mystery that I'll have to discover myself."

Keely lets out a yawn, her eyes fluttering, and she attempts to keep them open with limited success.

It's been a long day for both of us, and a little rest would be good.

I set the empty carton of ice cream on the coffee table nearby, and we polished it off.

Before I know it, Keely falls asleep, her head against my shoulder, and it's not long before my eyelids are too heavy to keep open.

Keely

I wake in a panic to the sound of Reeve groaning in pain.

"Reeve... Reeve," I say, rubbing my hand gently over his chest.

His eyes burst open to my voice. "Huh?" he says, almost like I woke him from a nightmare, and he doesn't know where he is.

"You're in your apartment with me. Are you in pain?" I ask.

He grimaces and then nods. He's still groggy from sleep and whatever I woke him from.

"Are you sure you don't want anything? Even Tylenol? Just a little something to help take the swelling down?" I ask.

I still have no idea what he has against pain meds but he's in so much pain right now that I just want to get him comfortable.

"No, I'll be okay. I just need another ice pack."

It's not what I was hoping to hear but this is his choice at the end of the day. However, it's easier to heal when you're not always tensing up in pain.

"Come on, let's get you in bed so you can stretch out. I'll bring your pillows in, prop you up and get you another ice pack."

It isn't long before I get Reeve into bed and settled. Once the new ice pack gets his knee numb again, he falls asleep.

I leave his bedroom door open so I can listen for him, and then I fall back to sleep on the couch.

I don't know what happened to make Reeve swear off even over-the-counter painkillers, but I have to find something else to help manage his pain if we're going to be able to jump into physical therapy.

Tomorrow, I'll start my research.

Chapter Nine

Keely

I fill Paula in on all the new developments with Reeve, mostly about the lack of pain meds while standing in the kitchen. With Reeve still asleep, I attempt to keep my voice down.

---