Page 14 of If Everything Was Easy

“That’s not good enough!” The venom dripped from her lips. “You’re supposed to be the best, but you just seem full of excuses. How am I going to do this if I only come twice a week?” Her hands balled into fists. “I need to be here every day.”

I stared in disbelief. She was something else. Did she not understand how this worked?

“Coming every day won’t make this process faster. In fact, it’ll more than likely make it slower. You’ll overdo it. You need to rest in between sessions, just like you do during the season. You have off days to rest.” I tried to put it in terms she’d understand.

“I don’t take days off.” She lifted her chin.

I pressed my lips together and released a deep breath through my nose. “Well, you have to here.” I started pacing. I wasn’t sure how to get her to understand that she couldn’t be here pushing herself every day. “Give me your phone.” I held my hand out. She stared a minute or two before giving in and placing it in my hand. I tapped it a few times, and then handed it back. “I put a PT app on there. We usually don’t have clients use this until after the first few weeks, but you seem determined. If you log on, itwill give you daily exercises specifically for your injury. You can do those in between your sessions here.”

She stared blankly up at me. “Where do I do this?”

“Wherever you want.” I shrugged. “You need to listen to your leg, though. If you try to do this, and it’s hurting bad, then you need to stop. I know you’re trying to make a comeback, and you’re on a timer, but you could do real damage to yourself if you work it too much. Promise me that you won’t make me regret showing you this.” I gave her a knowing look.

“Great.” She rolled her eyes.

“Great what?” I was confused.

“You just looked at me the same way my dad does when he tells me to be careful.”

“Do you listen to him?” I had a feeling I already knew the answer to this.

“Eh, when he makes sense.” She grinned. “Thanks for this.” She hopped down and began limping out of the room. I stood there and watched. I couldn’t help it. There was something about her. She was so full of strength and determination, and I wondered where it came from. Most athletes pushed themselves to be the best, and worked on another level beyond the average client we dealt with here, but then there was Ava. She had the determination of the whole team.

Ava

I skipped class the day I went to see Carter. The longer I was with him, the less angry I seemed to be, but getting upset got my point across. He gave in and gave me a way to work my leg every day. I don’t know if it was the best idea on my part, but I needed something to keep me busy over the winter months. I needed a way to feel like I was doing everything I could to get better.

For the next month, I took my yoga mat out to the beach every day. I used the app he showed me to work on muscle tone. It was slow going at first, but I could finally walk without a limp. Sitting on the sand as I worked my leg gave me a sense of peace and purpose. It reminded me of all the days I’d spent here with Dad. The ocean always seemed to make the bad days better, and I could see how at peace Dad was when we were here.

“I’m going to do this. I’m going to be better than ever.” I glanced up at the cloud-filled sky. “You’ll see.” My anger had been slowly subsiding every day, and as I walked back to the apartment, I had an extra bounce in my step. I no longer used the cane, and I couldn’t wait to share this news with Carter.

Chapter 10

Carter

It’s been a month now. A month of telling myself ‘no’, a month of ignoring the attraction, a month of pretending that being around her isn’t the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

“We’re gonna be late!” Mav shouted as he tapped his foot. He was standing by our front door, impatiently waiting for me.

“Just go ahead. I’ll see you there.” I waved him off as I stuck my head out of the bathroom door. Maverick and I had been roommates since freshman orientation. We met during our placement test, and had been friends ever since. We went from sharing a dorm room to sharing an apartment, and after graduation, we just stayed. It worked out that we both got jobs at the same clinic. Our friends used to tease us, asking if we were a couple. Don’t get me wrong, Mav’s a nice guy, but I’m not like that.

“Are you sure?” he shouted again.

“Yeah! I still need to shower,” I called as I heard the door slam. I jumped into the shower and almost let out a yelp. I’d turned the water to ice cold. I needed something to help me get through the next twelve weeks. Being near Ava Slone was testing every bit of my willpower. It was easy before I met her. I told myself she was a spoiled stuck up athlete who thought the world revolved around her. The more I was around her, the more I found that I was wrong. She was dedicated to her sport. She was sweet and listened to what I told her. I watched how she applied the exercises each week, and how quickly she was healing. She listened to me, and soon would not need me anymore. Part of meknew this was the plan, but the other both craved and dreaded seeing her.

She didn’t know that every time I touched her I came alive. My heart raced, and my brain went to places it shouldn’t. Hell, I’m getting hard just thinking about it right now.

I stepped under the icy water and began washing my hair. I needed a distraction from this, or I was going to end up needing to rub one out. Running. I was going running after work today. I’d run until my legs gave out. I’d push my body past its limits and then there wouldn’t be room in there for her.

As my skin turned numb from the cold, I shut the water off and grabbed a towel, quickly dried myself, and then stepped into a set of scrubs. “You can’t have her,” I mumbled as I brushed my hair, and turned to leave. As I jogged out to my car, I repeated over and over,hairy bald guy. I needed to think about anything but her. I’d never forgive myself if I appeared unprofessional in front of a client.

The drive to the office only took a few minutes, and when I came through the door, there she was. She was sitting on a bench, tapping away on her phone. She smiled when she saw me, and began to stand.

“Give me just a minute.” I held up my hand. I needed to put my things away in my locker and give myself another pep talk. My body was tingling already, and I hadn’t even touched her. ”Hairy bald guy,” I whispered.

“You ok?” Mav chuckled as he came out of a room. “You seem a little rattled.”

“I’m fine,” I lied.

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