Page 20 of Fragile Love (Fragile 3)
“What do you have to do with your crutches when you shower?”
“I forgot what the official instructions are, but my plan was to tape a trash bag over them if they aren’t waterproof already.”
Cayden grunted. “I don’t know. I’ve never been on crutches.”
“Hey, guys,” Lillian yelled from across the house. “I’m going to clean up in here. The cats spilled their food everywhere.” Her voice faded as she walked into the kitchen where she kept the cats’ food bowls.
“So, you’re gonna be my new personal trainer, huh?” Andrew flexed his bicep. “I hear you charge a pretty penny. I should be honored Lil talked you into it.” He cleared his throat. “Thanks, by the way.”
“That’s the plan.” Cayden moved an extension cord out of the way, trying to figure a way out of the awkward moment. “Anything in particular you want to work on?”
“I haven’t given it much thought, really. I’ve never been a gym type of guy. I always got up for a run in the morning.”
“Even recently?”
Andrew grimaced. “Not so much in the past few months. I’ve been moved around at work and have worked more late nights in the last six months than I have my entire career. I was about to get switched to a different, higher-up position where my hours would be better—then this happened.”
Cayden nodded. “Have you worked out or exercised at all in six months?”
“A little. Not much. Mostly just some light stuff at home. I have a pull-up bar and some dumbbells. That’s it.”
“That’s all right. At least you’ve had some activity. Your body is able to heal better if you’re in shape. That might account for why you’re doing as well as you are now.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, man.” He leaned against the doorframe. “It definitely has a lot to do with healing.”
“That’s great to hear. No wonder people love to work with you.”
“What do you mean?” Cayden wondered what Andrew knew about his work.
“Lillian says that you’re exploding in Los Angeles. Everyone wants a piece of you in their gyms.” He chuckled. “Sorry, that came out wrong, but you know what I mean.”
“She talked about my work in Los Angeles?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t a lot, I think you were out getting coffee or something. And she told me about you working with a lady there, one who’s your client. Seems to me Lily had a blast over there.”
“Yeah, I think she did. Katharina really loved her. I mean, who doesn’t love her, but Katharina really took a liking to her. Even called a friend up one day who didn’t want Lil to fly back home. Wanted her to go fix their house up immediately.”
“Dang.” Andrew thought for a minute. “She’s something else. Do you think she’ll go back to work with other people?”
“I hope so. At least sometimes. Even in just a few days, word spread fast. Katharina is high-end and has a lot of friends already dying to meet Lil.”
“That would be awesome. I wonder if she’ll end up expanding her business one day.”
Cayden shrugged. “Who knows? I don’t think she’s thought about it yet. At least, she hasn’t mentioned anything to me about it.”
They stood in silence for a few moments. Both staring at anything but each other.
“Well,” Cayden said, straightening, and popped his knuckles, “do you need anything?”
“I think I’m going to get some shut-eye for a little while.” He sighed, propping his crutches against the wall. “That sounds so lame.”
“Hey, healing happens during sleep, too. Don’t push yourself too hard.”
Andrew smiled. “Thanks, man. I’ll see you two later.”
Cayden shut the door, and walked to the kitchen in search of Lillian. He found her standing at the counter, trying to read something on her phone but being harassed by Gray Cat.
