Page 14 of Opening Strain

I retake my chair and play with a French fry, not having the energy to chat with the band. Across the way, Luke enters and strides toward me. A gleam’s in his eye I don’t like.

Our manager makes a pit stop at the bar and sidles up next to me, sipping a beer. He plants his ass in the empty seat next to me. “Talked with Jenna.”

“Figured you had.”

“She said maybe.”

My eyebrows rise. “Can’t imagine why she wouldn’t jump at the chance to be with UC again.”

He chuckles at my sarcasm. “Have to admit, I was surprised she didn’t say yes. She was, however, shocked she got the grade wrong but at least she had the right diagnosis.” He raises his hand to order me another Manhattan, but I decline. Something tells me I’ll need all my wits. “The money seemed to interest her.”

“Money?”

“Yeah. It’s not like I’d expect her to do your therapy for free.”

I hold up the exercise packet. “Whatever. I bet I can do this on my own.”

Luke laughs. “You do you. But if Jenna agrees, promise me you’ll work with her.”

“I’d rather have anyone else.” Taking my time, I get to my feet. “On that note, I’m outta here. Going to put more ice on this in my room and rest my leg.” With careful footsteps, I leave the bar to the strains of “On My Own.”

I don’t need anybody else.

I can’t do this alone.

After watching a movie, icing my thigh, and sleeping ten hours straight, I got up and iced my thigh again. Then I took out a sheet from the packet and tried to do the first exercise. No way can I do these.

I grab the breakfast plate and go to throw it across the room, stopping myself at the last possible moment. It’s not fair to take out my frustrations on eggs and bacon. With a growl, I pick up the compression bandage and roll it up my leg, tugging my shorts over my not-gorgeous new accessory.

Tea. I need some tea to calm the fuck down. I pour the hot water into a mug and dunk a berry fusion bag into it. If I’m going to be able to start the tour on time, I have to do these exercises. If I have to do these exercises, I need help. Full stop.

But does that help have to be in the form of a pretty woman with long, sandy blonde hair, connected to Darren? Only one thing wrong with this thought. She’s not only pretty, she’s insightful and sweet and...fragile. I grunt.

She saidmaybe.

It will be better for all concerned if we hire a different physical therapist. A dude. One with zero connection with UC. I pick up my phone to text Luke and tell him to end his quest for Jenna when someone knocks on my door.

“Be right there!” If only my hotel room door would stay unlocked so I didn’t have to hobble over and open it, but what choice do I have? From halfway across the room, I yell, “Another minute.”

When I reach the door, I use the bottom of my T-shirt to wipe the sweat off my forehead before opening it. Luke, holding a cup of coffee, passes by me with a quick hello. I offer him a seat in the living room and make my way there.

Grateful my ass is once again on the plush cushion, I sip my tea and wait. I hope he doesn’t bring news that Jenna agreed. She’s a complication I don’t need in my life.

He sets his coffee onto the table. “Good news.Jenna agreed.”

Of course she did. Because the universe enjoys a good laugh. I blow air through my mouth. “Yippee.”

“C’mon, B. You know she worked wonders on Darren’s wrist. You even remarked about his recovery at the time.”

I reach for my tea but leave it on the table. “Well, that was then and about him. A lot’s happened since. And this ismyinjury we’re talking about now.”

“I get it.” Luke looks me straight in the eye. “I do. Things are different with you.” When I open my mouth to speak, he holds up his hand. “One, you’re not looking for a girlfriend like Darren was.”

I rear back. “He was on the hunt for his next conquest, never a girlfriend.”

Luke shakes his head. “He always hoped the next woman would be ‘the one.’ Then he met Jenna, and shewasthe one. Until the fog of drugs fueled his mind. He’s been gone a long time, B. Any hold he had over this woman no longer applies. Besides, you’re not dating her, she’s just going to be your therapist. Nothing more.”

I ponder what our manager said. “She was Darren’s girlfriend.”

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