Page 54 of The Promises We Broke
Not that I was doing that.
"He's responding well to Laura's approach," Xander said, appearing beside me with two cups of coffee and a knowing look that made me want to disappear into the floor.
"Mmm," I said, not taking my eyes off Gage as he navigated the parallel bars. Two weeks with Laura, and his improvement was remarkable. His gait was steadier, his balance better, and the lines of pain around his eyes had softened.
"She's got him doing exercises that would have taken you another month to introduce," Xander continuedconversationally. "Aggressive approach, but he's responding well."
I finally turned away from the window, accepting the coffee with what I hoped was professional gratitude. "Laura's excellent. He's in good hands."
"She's one of the best," Xander agreed. "So why are you standing here watching his sessions every day like a mother hen?"
Heat flooded my cheeks. "I'm not..."
"Billie." His voice was gentle, but firm. "You've been here every morning at six-thirty for two weeks. Laura mentioned that yesterday you actually took a step toward the therapy room when he overextended during a shoulder rotation."
God. Was I that transparent?
"Professional interest," I said weakly.
"Bullshit."
I nearly choked on my coffee. Xander rarely swore, which meant he was either very angry or very concerned. Given the gentle way he was looking at me, I suspected it was the latter.
"I transferred his case for ethical reasons," I said, trying to inject some authority into my voice. "It was the right decision."
"It was," he agreed. "But that doesn't mean it was an easy one."
Through the window, I watched Gage attempt a movement that should have been impossible with his injuries. Laura was beside him immediately, steadying him, encouraging him, doing all the things I used to do. All the things I wanted to be doing.
"He's pushing too hard," I said, my hands tightening around my coffee cup.
"He's motivated."
"He's going to hurt himself."
Xander studied my face for a long moment. "Or maybe he's trying to prove something."
"Like what?"
"That he's worth the effort it takes to put him back together."
The words hit me like a physical blow, because they rang with a truth I'd been trying to avoid. Gage wasn't just recovering from his injuries, he was trying to become worthy of the forgiveness his family had given him. Worthy of the second chance he'd been handed.
Worthy of the friendship I'd offered.
"He's pushing himself too hard," I said, watching through the window as Laura guided him through exercises that should have been impossible with his injuries just weeks ago. "Look at him. He's accelerated his recovery timeline by months."
"And that bothers you."
"It worries me." I pressed my hand against the glass, studying the careful way he moved, the determination in every line of his body. "Laura mentioned he's using rehabilitation as self-punishment. He's working through pain levels that would stop most patients."
Xander was quiet for a moment, following my gaze. "Maybe he needs something to work toward. Something worth healing for."
The implication in his voice made my chest tighten. "Don't."
"Don't what? Don't point out that he's been making record progress ever since you offered to be his friend again? Don't mention that he lights up every time someone mentions your name? Don't acknowledge that he's working this hard because he wants to be worthy of what you offered him?"
"We're just friends," I said firmly. "That's all either of us can handle right now."
