Page 53 of Defending What is Mine

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jack:Present—February (Three days after his transfer stateside)

I glimpse Chet sitting in the corner, reading the morning paper. If I had to guess, judging by the look on his face and the way he ruffles the paper when he flips the page, one of two things are true: either beef futures just fell off a cliff, or he can’t find a way to not hear my conversation with Sam.

Sam, on the other hand, has done in forty-eight hours what I had been unable to do since I woke from the coma. What I doubt I could’ve ever done on my own. She stepped in and rescued me from a personally constructed hell of self-loathing and regret. How? Not a freaking clue. It’s like her superpower, or something. The only thing I know for certain is, when she’s nearby, I don’t want to waste any more time thinking about what should have been. The only thoughts that interest me are about what could be.

“Hey, where’d you go big guy?” Sam moves behind me and kneads my shoulders as she scooches a thigh onto the bed. “Are you alright? Was it a flashback, or something?”

A pang of guilt hits me in the gut, creating a lump in my throat so big I can hardly swallow, let alone speak around it. What the hell was wrong with me to ever want to push a woman like this away? I shake my head. “No, I’m fine. Just lost in thought, sorry.” I roll my shoulders back, relaxing my traps and giving her room to work. “What were you saying?”

Sam leans in, putting her weight behind her efforts. “I was just asking what your day looks like.”

Two light knocks at the door interrupt me before I can answer.

“Morning, Captain Wilde. I hope you’re ready to sweat.” Derek’s words are out of his mouth before he steps into the room. When he looks up and sees I’m not alone, apology and embarrassment wash over him. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had visitors.”

“Didn’t I sweat enough for you yesterday?” I ask, irritated at the thought of spending another afternoon stretching and trying to re-learn things I’ve known how to do my entire life. At least, I did…before.

Derek starts to answer but stops himself when he looks past me. “Yeah, you did. You put in good work yesterday. Good work. Now what I want us to do today is build on that. We’ve got to dig deep. We’ve got to build momentum. You know…to get you out of here quickly. That’s what you’re wanting, right?”

Sam’s hands fall still on my shoulders. “You’ll help him with that? With getting his strength back, so he can come home?”

Until now, I had no reason to suspect Derek was an evil genius, but I have to give credit where it’s due. Plus fifty points for knowing your audience and playing to them.

Chet quickly folds up his newspaper and drops it in the chair after he stands. “Guess we should clear out of your way.”

I roll my eyes. At this point, I suspect the janitor coming in to empty the trash would have been enough of an excuse for him to leave. “Easy, brother. He doesn’t charge by the minute.”

Sam kisses the top of my head before sliding off the bed. “Chet’s right, we should clear out and let you have your space.” She gives me a hug, gathers her things and stops in front of Derek with her hand extended. “Thank you,” she says, shaking his hand. “Whatever he says, just…try and ignore him. And definitely do not let him take it easy.” Sam looks back. “I need him home. And the sooner the better.”

Derek smiles. “Yes ma’am. Understood.”

* * *

Beads of sweat roll off my forehead. I let out a guttural, primal groan as I exhale through the pain. My body’s been through a lot recently. A fact I’m reminded of with each stretch of each exercise.

“Come on, Captain. Just a few more. You’re doing great.”

“I find your relentless positivity nauseating.”

Derek chuckles softly. “That’s okay. For some, it motivates them to stay positive themselves. To stay focused on their goals, and whatever. For others, it motivates them to put in their work, so they don’t have to deal with me any longer than is absolutely necessary. But see, either way it motivates.”

“Whatever you have to tell yourself, pal.” I drop my hands and fall back onto the mat, panting as I catch my breath.

Derek squats down beside me. “Mind if I ask you a personal question?”

Eyes closed, I focus on my breathing. “Not at all.”

“The woman in your room when I came in?”

“Yeah?”

“Well, it seemed like…you know…you two had chemistry.”

I open my eyes, afraid Captain Positivity over here wants to make a move on my girl. “Yeah?” The question is a threat, and he knows it.

Derek smiles. “No, no. Don’t get me wrong, now. I’m just saying, she’s not your sister or your cousin, or anything, right?”

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