Page 26 of Spring Tide

“I think it’s all the pillows.”

The corner of his lip twitches. “Probably.”

“Okay, well, anyway ... you can just lie down on your right side and face me.” I pat my mattress again, gesturing to the foot of my bed. “That way, you won’t be fighting the resistance of gravity.”

He plops down, grimacing as he shifts both legs into place. “Like this?”

“Mhm, just a little bit closer.” I motion with both hands as he shimmies and shifts toward the edge. “Yep, that’s perfect.”

“Great.”

“So, I’ll just move your limb passively to show you the action.” My palm makes contact with his outer thigh, pushing against his IT band. “Then you can repeat it on your own, okay? Five sets of ten.”

“Sure.”

I slowly slide the surface of my palm down the side of his leg. My fingertips gently glide across the bridge of his knee, resting directly below his patella.

“I’m going to move you now,” I warn.

A tiny groan escapes him at first range, shallow breaths puffing from his lips with every twitch of his joint. It doesn’t take long for him to adjust to the feeling, though, and pretty soon, he’s got the rhythm down himself.

I step back, carefully monitoring his expression, breathing cycles, range of motion, and patterns of movement. “So, how’s practice going with your knee?”

“Just fine,” he mutters.

“Yeah? No one’s caught on to your injury yet?”

“Actually, uh, Coach asked me about it today,” he admits through gritted teeth. “I was leaning, favoring my right side at the end of practice.”

“Aw, shit.” I plant both hands on my hips. “What did I say about overcompensating?”

His shoulders visibly tense. “Uh, that I ... that I need to relieve some stress to avoid doing it?”

“Exactly.”

His left leg kicks out again, just a tad too forcefully this time. “Yeah, well, I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”

“I can set you up with someone,” I offer. “If you want.”

“For Christ’s sake, Harper. Is sex all you think about?”

“I wasn’t talking about sex this time! I just meant ... a date might help you relieve some stress. A dinner out with a nice girl or guy or whoever you want.”

He finishes his last set of reps in silence; every breath is shallow, steady, and carefully measured. As he shifts back into a seated position, he finally says, “No.”

“You don’t want to date?”

He levels me with his stony gaze. “I’m dating you, aren’t I?”

“Very funny.”

“I don’t have time, Harper. That would just add stress, not relieve it.” He leans back on his palms, eyes pinched shut for a brief moment. “Besides, this is complicated enough between us.”

“Oh,” I mutter, dejected. “I’m sorry if my lie added more stress for you.”

“No, Harper, that’s not ... I don’t mean to blame you for anything.” He shifts awkwardly on the edge of my bed. “I’m the one who dragged you into this twisted bullshit with my knee. I just meant that I’m focused on healing right now. That’s it.”

“Got it.” I nod my head emphatically. “That’s probably a good idea anyway. And look, we’re pretty much done for the night.”

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