Page 98 of Opening Strain

“Great,” he mutters under his breath but loud enough for me to hear. “What am I going to do with this?”

Our conversation is interrupted when the doctor and Jennareturn. The former looks satisfied while the latter wears a frown. What on earth did my tests show?

I don’t have to wait long for my answer. The doctor speaks his medical jargon—I only pick up on the words “groin pull,” “PT,” and “grade three.” Luke nods as if he’s following while my attention remains on a disgruntled Jenna.

When the doctor stops talking, I ask the only thing that matters. “Am I cleared to go on tour, doc?”

A smile tugs at his lips. “Your PT has gone better than I even imagined. You’ve made remarkable progress, Mr. Hardy. So, yes, you can return to the stage for tomorrow’s kickoff concert.”

My fist pounds the air. Next to me, Luke’s body sags.

“With one caveat.”

I sit straighter.This doesn’t sound ominous or anything.

The doctor continues, “You need to continue physical therapy while you’re on the road.” His prescription sinks into the room. “By this, I mean you must have a therapist with you on tour.”

Now I understand Jenna’s expression. However, instead of scowling, I’m wearing a huge smile. “I know exactly the therapist.”

Luke and I turn toward Jenna, who raises her hands as if in surrender. Her words belie her actions. “I can’t. I have a business to run, a new clinic to set up. Two, in fact.”

The doctor checks his watch. “I’d like to see you back here in three months, to check on your recovery. Will you be in town then?”

Luke responds for the both of us. “We’ll be on the other side of the country then, but I’ll make sure Bennett catches a flight out here during one of our short breaks.”

“Very good,” the doctor replies. “I’ll see you then. Keep up the great rehab.” He looks at me. “Do you have any questions for me, Mr. Hardy?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. When can I resume normal sexual activities?”

Luke barks a chuckle, while Jenna gasps. Hey, I just want to hearit from the horse’s mouth. So to speak. After all, he was the one who restricted me in the first place without so much as a peep.

The doctor doesn’t appear flustered. “I’d say you need another fourteen days, minimum, assuming no setbacks.”

I nod. Since setbacks are not in my vocabulary, I circle two weeks from today on my mental calendar. The day I can make Jenna mine.

Assuming she’ll have me.

When no one else raises any other questions, the doctor walks out of the room, leaving me with Jenna and Luke. I don’t waste any time. “Jenna, you have to keep up my therapy. You devised this strategy from the beginning. You don’t want to turn your patient over to someone else at this stage.” I bat my eyes.

“Oh brother,” Luke says. “This is a decision to be made between the two of you. All I will say is you were able to keep up Darren’s therapy by stopping in during the tour at various times. Maybe this could work now as well?”

“No, it can’t.” Jenna pulls her ponytail tighter to her head. “Bennett needs twice daily therapy, not bi-monthly like Darren did at when he rejoined the tour.”

“Which is why you have to do it,” I argue. “Why should I work with someone else when I have the best?”

“Bennett, I can provide detailed instructions for whoever takes over your therapy. You won’t even notice I’m gone.”

I shove my body off the table. “You’re the one who has overseen my rehab every step of the way. Remember when Austin had me do those skater steps? It was a complete disaster. I don’t want anyone else but you helping me.” Her chin wobbles. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me. Even the doctor complimented you on my progress. If you were to stay in Aroostook, all you’d be doing is working with contractors on your new clinic and scouting for your fourth location. King and Angie can help you with both things.” They’re real estate agents. Has to be in their job description.

“I do much more than that,” she complains.

“I know you do a lot of oversight, which can be done online orthrough the phone, email, and texting. You told me yourself you don’t see patients anymore, and how much you enjoyed working with me. Seems like you can do both things from the road.” Unless she doesn’t want to spend more time with a loser like me.Please say that’s not so.Resisting the urge to get into her space, I lean back.

She glances around the sterile office. “I guess I could do a lot of my At Your Service PT work remotely.”

Relief flows through me. Luke chooses this moment to insert himself. “Do you have a lot of employees?”

Her eyebrow quirks. “Enough.”

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