Page 77 of Whatever Happens

“It’s about time.”

“Time for what, exactly?” I ask as I unlock the door and let her in.

“I told you yesterday. We start work on your arm today. I reviewed all the test results, and…”

“Lexie, it’s over. I can’t play anymore.” I walk toward the kitchen, but she grabs my good arm and pulls on it with enough force I pause. “Damn, princess.”

“I am not giving up, and neither are you.” She gestures to the couch, and with the look in her eyes, I follow her directive. “Sit.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She puts her bag on the coffee table. Bending in front of me, she digs in the bag, searching for something, and I silently pray she never finds it. Her ass is on perfect display, so I sit back and enjoy the view. She must feel the weight of my stare because her head turns, and she looks at me staring at her ass, with a shit-eating grin.

“Carter,” she scolds.

I can’t help the laughter that bubbles out of me. Did she think I wouldn’t look? That I wouldn’t enjoy the show?

She turns to me. “Take your shirt off.”

I pull the material off. “This therapy sounds better and better by the second.”

She bends down, her face inches from mine. “You are going to be in so much pain, and you’re going to hate me, but I will fix you, Carter. If you get your head out of my ass and focus on what I tell you to do.”

“God, I want to kiss you,” I admit to her. She swats my injured shoulder. “Ouch.”

“Focus.”

Oh, I’m focused. Just not on what she wants me to be.

“Okay, okay,” I say as I let out a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

“Believe me, you are so not ready for this.” She takes my arm in her hand.

“Ow… fuck, Lex.”

“Suck it up, buttercup. No pain, no gain.”

I take a deep breath. I trust Lexie implicitly. I just need to focus on something besides the pain she’s making radiate through my shoulder and arm.

“How are you?” I ask her.

“I’m fine.” Her reply is quick, without thought.

“Seriously Lex, how are you? After… you know.”

“I said, I’m fine.”

I rest my other hand on her arm.

“I heard but don’t believe you.”

“What do you want me to say, Carter? That I still have nightmares about it? Fine, I do. You want to know that when a man bumps into me or touches me, I jump? Fine, I do.”

My hand is still on her. “Not me.”

She softens. “Of course, not you. I…”

Say it, Lex, I silently urge her. Tell me you love me.

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