Page 14 of Tethered Hearts

Brie

Brie’s pent-up breath whooshed out as she returned to the treatment room. The curtains fluttered in her wake as she barged into the cubicle where she’d finished treating Matt. What had happened this morning? She replayed the past half hour in her mind. From the moment he’d wheeled in, she’d sensed a difference in him. An openness, as though there’d been a chink in his armour, exposing a vulnerability and a glimpse into the real person beneath his gruff exterior. He’d spoken to her of his own accord, they’d held a decent conversation and even shared a few laughs. Sure, it wasn’t anything deep, but at least it was more than the grunting she’d become accustomed to. It was progress, just like with his exercises. But the way her heart was galloping in her chest, she wondered if she ought to prefer his silence. The way he’d laughed – he’d actually laughed! – had done funny things to her insides. The deep rumble in his chest had caused her stomach to launch into Olympic-grade acrobatics. His eyes were a delicious blend of milk chocolate and honey that she could easily lose herself in for days. And the way his mouth tilted into a slow grin. Oh, my! His smile was so much better in person than what any camera could capture.

Stomping about the small space, she gathered up the exercise bands and cleaned over the table with some antiseptic wipes.Not good, Brie. Not good at all.She had no right to think that way about a client. Silently berating herself, she tossed the wipes in the bin. She knew this would happen. She knew she wouldn’t be able to control herself from reacting to the handsome athlete. She’d done so well until now. She’d compartmentalised her thoughts and learned to control the way her nerves soared whenever she touched him. Surely she was better than this. Surely she could get a hold on her emotions and not be swept up in some fantastical daydream. She was a professional. Some boundaries could not be crossed. Why couldn’t she remember that?

Just when she thought she’d made progress and moved on from that need to seek approval, to be affirmed, it clawed to the surface once more. Just because Matt laughed with her didn’t mean he was interested in her. Just because his smile made her stomach flip about, didn’t mean they had any kind of connection. Perhaps she should ask one of the other therapists to take over his treatment, given that Martin was staying with his father indefinitely, and she could no longer control her thoughts and emotions. Someone who wouldn’t melt every time he smiled. Yes, that might be the best plan. The safest thing for both of them.

The restof the day passed by as normal, with no emotional entanglements with any of her other clients. Probably because most of them were a generation older and didn’t cause butterflies to swarm in her stomach. Why couldn’t she have the same insipid reaction to Matt? Why did she have to melt every time he was near? She needed to remove herself from the situation before she overstepped a line and put her integrity and career at risk.

With her mind made up, Brie ducked into the office at the end of the shift to ask Tom Blakeney, one of the other physiotherapists, if he could take over Matt’s care.

“Sure, Brie. Is everything okay?” Tom rotated his chair to face her.

“Yes, I just think it’s for the best that someone else takes over. He’s used to Martin, and I’m probably not the most suitable therapist for him.” She wasn’t going to divulge why, and she only hoped Tom couldn’t read between the lines.

“Has he done something inappropriate? Because I can have a word with him if you’d like. We can’t have these professional athletes thinking they can just come in here and …”

“No, not at all.” Brie cut him off. She twisted the straps of her bag between her fingers and tried to keep her expression neutral. “It’s nothing like that. I just think it’s for the best.”

Tom rocked back on the chair, steepling his fingers under his chin as he regarded her. “You’ve got a thing for him.” He wriggled his eyebrows.

“What? No!” Kind of. Not really. Not if she guarded her heart and her thoughts and did the right thing by removing herself from the situation. “I think he’ll respond better to a male, that’s all. Some clients just work better with a man’s influence.” Brie’s face warmed beneath Tom’s scrutiny. Hopefully he wouldn’t be able to discern the truth that he’d jokingly assumed.

“You’re not a pushover, Brie. I’ve seen the way you work, and you’ve had success with some of our most belligerent clients.”

Tom was right, and while she’d made excellent progress with Matt in the short time she’d been treating him, she couldn’t keep going. Not when she still had some personal issues to work through.

“It’s fine, Brie. I’m more than happy to help.”

“Thanks, Tom. I really appreciate it. I’m happy to take one of your clients if it will help with your workload.”

He waved her offer away. “It all balances out in the end. I’m happy to help.” Which was one of the many reasons why she enjoyed working at the clinic. The staff were supportive and helped each other out. She just needed to get a grip on her emotions, and not be tempted to dwell on thoughts of an Olympic athlete with chocolate-coloured eyes and a delicious smile to boot.

Whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is admirable …She needed to hide those words in her heart and have them in the forefront of her mind so she wouldn’t be tempted to chase after something not intended for her. Not seeing Matt twice a week would be a great start.

---