Page 14 of Fever Dream
“Well, speaking as someone who’s never had them, I’d have to disagree.”
“You have abs, Harry,” I disagree, reaching out to pat his stomach. He stiffens and I pull my hand away. I’ve always been overly tactile with my friends, but I forget that not everyone else welcomes touch so freely. “Everyone has abdominal muscles.”
“I know, sweet. I’m the physio here remember?” he eyerolls. “And I think you know exactly what I meant.”
“Oh, you mean abs like these?” I nod along, hauling up my top to show off my defined set of abdominals I am admittedly quite proud of. His eyes immediately zone in on them and I feel myself squirm before I drop my top. He doesn’t reply, just focuses on pushing my leg up to my chest in a gentle stretch and I drop the subject.
I know I treat Harrison like we’ve been friends forever, but I really don’t know where to draw the line with teasing. I know I overstep, always have done really, but I know I need to find where those lines are for him. And try not to push over them too hard.
***
My gentle introduction to the East Coast Fever is officially over as Dean Hampton leaves me but a fraction of the man he found me when I entered his zone. My arms ache all over and I think my abs have started growing their own set of muscles.
I groan as I push my way through to the treatment room where I find Harrison working on Izak. They are laughing together about something while Harry works his magic hands on Izak’s calf muscle, and I try not to sound all territorial when I clear my throat. I mean, I don’townHarrison but still, he’s here at the club for me, not Izak.
“How was arms session?” Harrison asks, curls buzzing his eyes as he looks up at me.
“Great. I’m feeling awesome,” I lie. Izak shares a knowing smirk with me but I ignore him. He’s annoying me right now and I don’t even know why.
“Do you need more treatment …?” Harry asks, a little frown on his face as he looks me over, probably making sure his little patient isn’t too damaged.
“No, I was just going to take a shower and then …” I trail off, overly aware of Izak’s scrutiny as he glances between us. “Did you want a lift home after?” We rode in together in my car after all. It’s only fair I offer to take him home.
“Oh, um …” Harrison replies, eyes fixing back on Izak. “You know what? I still have a bit to do here. I’ll make my own way back home.”
“You sure? I don’t mind waiting.”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” he says. I feel a little pang in my gut at his dismissal of me. I mean, I know we’re notbestfriends even though I threatened him with that title this morning. But if I don’t get to take Harrison home it means someone else will and then maybe they’ll go grab a bite to eat together and share those laughs Harrison freely gives out while I’ll be at home all by myself, overthinking this interaction.
Maybe this is all in my head—this connection I feel with Harrison. I mean, he hasn’t been the one to go out of his way to contactme. I’ve been the one following him around and making him go out on days in the city with me.
It’s just, I’m never usually wrong about these kinds of things. I feel a connection with Harrison, and I am positive he feels it too. And this is exactly why I wanted to take him home tonight.
The overthinking has already begun.
“Okay, well, sure,” I stutter, stepping back from the treatment room. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, okay. Seeya, Case,” Harrison replies. I feel his eyes on me, and I think he probably picked up the dejection in my tone because I’m pretty sure there’s a hint of regret on his face. But he called meCaseagain so maybe I’m just overthinking. Yeah, that’s probably it.
I head off for my shower, letting the water cascade over my head as it soaks the sweat off my muscles. Today has been a full-on day. I’m pretty sure that between Harrison’s ice-skating class and Dean’s punishing weights session I have used every muscle group in my body. I’m feeling the dull ache of it now, but I know that by tomorrow I’m going to feel great. That’s just how my body works. Well, it did before the adductor strain took over, but I’ve been getting really good at ignoring that part of my body.
I pull on the sweats I wore to the ice rink this morning then haul my top on, shoulder muscles straining with the effort. I’m taking my sweet merry time getting myself organised which is why I’m surprised when I step out into the corridor to find Harrison waiting for me, one leg propped up against the wall for support.
“Hey,” I say.
“So my calendar cleared up for the rest of the afternoon,” he tells me and my heart soars at his words. See? It really was all inmy head. I really need to stop overanalysing every interaction I have with him.
“Oh so now you want that lift?” I return with a slow nod. “Now that I’m convenient for you again.”
“Shut up,” Harrison smiles, dimple out in force. “I can just as easily get a lift home with Ben.”
“Nope. Ben’s not your best friend,” I respond, grabbing hold of his bicep and hauling him towards the carpark.
“Oh and you are?”
“Didn’t we already discuss that this morning?” I ask, scratching my chin. “Maybe even signed a contract in blood?”
“Um, no. That did not happen.”
