Page 28 of Tough Score

"Reeve may be feeling overwhelmed. Pain medication can make people feel vulnerable. It’s not uncommon for athletes like him to want to push through the discomfort. And maybe he's telling the truth that pain meds dull his senses. That wouldn't be the first time I've heard an athlete say that. Though I’ve never experienced any of my post-surgery patients refusing drugs before–that’s a first."

"Exactly! This can't be good for him to try to recover from this much pain. And how am I supposed to push him through strengthening techniques if he's in extreme pain while we do them?"

"Are you worried about his discomfort? Or yours?"

I wasn't expecting that question from her.

I’m a physical therapist and my job is to help people restore their mobility after an injury or surgery. My patients are usually always in some kind of discomfort during the process. But maybe she’s right. Maybe seeing him in that much pain bothers me on a level that it never has before because of this inconvenient crush.

"It can be challenging in our line of work to push people through pain, especially when we feel something for them--"

"I don't feel anything for him. That would be inappropriate." I tell her.

I can practically hear her smile over the receiver.

"Okay... you don't have feelings for him. But remember that he is the only one who knows his own pain tolerance."

"Well, instead of allowing him to max out his pain tolerance, I've read about alternative ways to manage pain that aren't drug-related. Have you used anything like that with patients?"

"There are a few that can be effective, but it depends on the patient."

"Okay, so, like acupuncture and herbal remedies?"

"Yes, but there are a few others that he could try. Hypnosis, aromatherapy, meditation, sex..."

I just about swallow my own tongue with her last option.

"Did you just say sex?"

I've heard of the other ones in school, but sex is new.

"Yes, some patients find that having an orgasm serves as not only a distraction from the pain, but it has also been reported that patients benefit from the burst of endorphins which help to mask the pain. It doesn't work for everyone."

"Keely... are you here?" I hear Reeve's voice.

"Yeah, I'm here," I call back.

"He just woke up, I should check on him. Thanks for the advice Paula, I’ll discuss a couple of the options with him and see if he wants to try any of them."

“Keep me posted, okay? I’m just a call away,” Paula said before hanging up.

Taking a deep breath after that call, I head for Reeve’s room.

I push through the open door and see Reeve standing with his crutches in the same clothes as yesterday.

"Hey, I didn't know if you had left already to pack for the new apartment."

"Nope. You have me until the superintendent comes by to change the locks. Then I'll run home and grab what I need. I don't have much anyway. I only packed a couple of suitcases just in case things didn't work out in Seattle."

Not like I have any intentions of going back.

I actually like working at my uncle's bar if finding a job in the field I want doesn't come quickly. Though I'm hoping that my agreement with the Hawkeyes all works out: Reeve will be back on the ice and I'll secure my dream job as the new PT on staff.

"I'd like to take a shower. I haven't taken one since after our win a couple of nights ago," he says, moving toward the ensuite in his bedroom.

I follow behind him until we're both standing in the bathroom.

"What's that?" he asks, pointing to the shower walker that I put in there yesterday.

---