“Wait, why are you pissed off about that?” I ask, confused.
“I’m not, I… It’s just…” he stutters before sighing deeply. He’s still facing the other way, turning his back on me. “I’m your physical therapist. I don’twant her—or anyone to think that I’m taking advantage or…”
“Oh god, Nate, no,” I interrupt him frantically. “Look, you remember how she is, right? She just creates stories in her own mind when she picks up certain things. Maybe she misread your clear loathing of me for some repressed sexual tension or something. I’m sure no one thinks…”
“I don’t loathe you,” he admits with a deep sigh. “I’m still hurt by what happened back then, there’s a difference.”
“To-ma-to, to-mah-to…”
“Look, to be clear, I’m not gay,” he turns abruptly, his arms crossed over his chest. “I wasn’t amanwhorebecause of some repressed feelings for you, and I’m still very much into women.”
His brows are creased and his eyes cold. All confusion disappeared from his face.
“I know,” I say softly. “I was just joking, I didn’t mean to make you…”
“What Imeantwhen I said that I’d like to try something out waswalking. I think we should try to make you walk a little.”
Alright, that conversation is over then.
But walking? I haven’t properly walked in… Well, months. And even if the physical therapy is doing its job, I’m not sure I could walk on my own.
“Nothing too hard,” he continues when I’m not answering. “We could go to the park across the street with Evie or Ikram and take a few steps. They would follow us with your chair so you can sit at any time.”
“I don’t know, I feel pretty exhausted right now…” I admit.
“I know, and the walk wouldn’t be right now. Especially with the pouring rain outside. I was thinking more this afternoon or tomorrow.”
His face, confused and cold and embarrassed just a few seconds ago is now completely devoid of any feelings.
How I wish I could have my best friend back…
“Do you really think it’s a good idea? I mean, with my current state, wouldn’t it be too much, or…”
“It’s only too much if you think it is,” he interrupts me with a bland voice. “I think you’d be perfectly able to. I know the pain is real. I know the disease is weighing you down. But how you choose to live with it depends exclusively on you. What we do here is meant to help you in many ways, including your mobility. So,Ibelieve it would be beneficial for you. If you’re not ready or tooscared or whatever, we can try again later. Or not.”
“Do you scold all your patients like this or is this reserved exclusively for me?” I grumble.
A hint of a smile stretches his lips. “I’m straight-forwards with everyone. But I get results and my patients are grateful in the long run.”
I sigh. But as much as I want all of the pain to be over and die in fucking peace, I also want to repair my relationship with Nate. Make things right.
“Alright,” I concede, “we can go for a trial walk this afternoon if I’m not in too much pain, and if the rain stops.”
He simply nods before turning around to put all his stuff back in his bag.
My phone rings and my heart misses a beat when I see it’s Prudence calling me. Maybe she’s not mad at me anymore after all…
“Yes?” I answer with a careful voice.
“For the records, I’m still mad.”
Well, that solves it… I put her on speaker so I can start putting my clothes back on and place the phone on the table next to me.
“But I need your help. I’m stuck at the precinct, my car has been flooded in the underground parking lot, Grumpy Hot Guy is actually a married or not married detective calledRaph, and my only way back to the house is an Uber worth 700 dollars or a ride with fuckingRaph. My card will obviously decline for an amount like this one and I didn’t take the one you gave me. AndI won’tget into a car with Grumpy assholetakenRaph.”
“Wait, what? Grumpy Hot Guy is here? And married?”
“Not the point, Jack!”
