Page 31 of Whatever Happens

Carter’s father looks me up and down. “Some random woman you fucked in public and on tape. What kind of woman does that Carter? Is that really what you want for yourself? For your future?”

“Dad, that’s enough,” Carter says.

Only, it isn’t. Because what he’s thinking? Speaking? There’s truth behind all of it whether or not Carter wants to admit it.

“I haven’t even started yet. Carter, your behavior is out of control. You risked everything for what? For her?”

“Don’t talk about her like that,” Carter scolds his father.

Grateful as I am that he’s defending me, it doesn’t stop the sting of his father’s words.

“Richard, stop. This is Carter’s therapist. Right, Carter?” his mom chimes in, finally silencing his father’s rant.

“She also happens to be Coach Masterson’s daughter, Lexie Masterson,” Carter tells them.

Plastering an uneasy and fake smile on my face, I greet his parents. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace.”

Carter’s father looks mortified. “I am so sorry, Ms. Masterson. I wasn’t expecting…”

“Call me Lexie, and really, no apology necessary,” I assure him. “Most people are still surprised to see female physical therapists training athletes, so I can only imagine where your head must have gone.”

To exactly where it should—that I’m the one in the video with their son.

“Why don’t we start over, hmm? I’m Rebecca, and this is my husband, Richard, and we are thrilled to have you here.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Of course, of course. Let me show you to your room, so you can get settled.”

“I’ll show her,” Carter offers.

“We need to talk,” Richard tells him.

Carter looks defeated as he nods.

“I hate to be a pain,” I interrupt, “but I need to do some massage therapy on Carter. The confined space, the long drive. We don’t want anything in there tightening up after the progress he’s made.”

“Yes, of course,” Rebecca says. “Whatever is best for Carter’s recovery is exactly what we want as well. Right, Richard?”

“Right,” his father agrees. “We can talk later.”

Carter nods. “I’ll show Lexie where she’s staying while we’re up there.”

We reach the top and make a left. Carter holds a door open for me.

I enter the room feeling as though I am stepping into the past and getting a glimpse of young Carter. Trophies, pennants, and pictures from high school adorn the walls and shelves. It’s almost as though the last ten years of his life hadn’t happened.

“Thanks for the save,” he says when he shuts the door behind us.

“No problem. I figure I owe you at least that much.” I move closer to him and reach for his sling. “Besides, you really could probably use some loosening up. We really want to keep the muscles warm and loose, even when you’re not conditioning them.”

Sitting on the bed, he removes his sling and hands it to me. I turn to place it on the nightstand and when I turn back, he’s shirtless. I swallow hard, the sight of him taking my breath away, even after having seen more of him this morning.

“You okay?” he asks.

“I’m fine.” Kneeling next to him on the bed, I place my hands on his shoulder. One touch on his bare skin has my mind flooding with memories of us—the way his hands caressed my body, how it felt to have his stubble brush against the inside of my thighs.

“Lex?”

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