Chapter 13
Levi
Layla holds one hand behind my elbow and the other pushes back on my hand, stretching it.
“The stronger we get everything around your elbow and shoulder, the better it will be,” she explains.
Her fingers slide down my arm eliciting goosebumps and causing me to release a harsh exhale.
I love having her touch me, but preferably not for this.
“I get it. Unfortunately, I’ve had enough injuries in my lifetime that I understand the importance of listening to you.” Her soft brown orbs stare into mine making my heart race. Why did I ever think that Layla seeing me at some of my worst moments was a good idea?
Tearing her gaze away from mine, she steps away and reaches into a small freezer, pulling out two blue ice packs and slipping each one into a thin sleeve before shuffling back to me.
I wince as she places ice on my shoulder and elbow.
“Just rest with these packs for twenty minutes and then you’re done for today. ”
“This was your initial assessment?”
She nods. “I didn’t need to do a full assessment.
Most of what I did was more for me to see for myself.
Your team physical therapists and the one you went to down the road left a lot of notes, plus your medical records.
If I didn’t do that, I wouldn’t know that it was both your shoulder and your elbow. ”
“Yeah, I guess one injury led to another.”
“That makes sense. I’m also assuming you do all your exercises at home?” She pauses and I nod. “Good, but I’m glad I could evaluate you and get you going before too much time passed.”
“I promise, I’ve been doing everything I’m told. I’m not taking any chances. I want my arm back at its best. My career depends on it. Besides, you sure as hell didn’t take it easy on me.”
She arches her eyebrows and crosses her arms defensively over her chest. “If you don’t want to be pushed, I’m not who you want.”
“I can respect that, but you’re definitely exactly who I want and who I need.” Her cheeks heat, giving me my intended effect.
Flustered, she rephrases, stammering, “I um, I will get you back where you want to be. Your arm is fixable, both your shoulder and your elbow, as long as you do the work.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Good.”
“So, would you like to go out with me this weekend? We could go on the haunted hayride, and maybe grab something to eat?” I propose, watching her in amusement as she suddenly becomes super busy with the paperwork I’m almost positive is already complete.
Without looking at me, she mumbles a response. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, Levi.”
“Haven’t we already talked about this, Layla? It’s a fantastic idea.”
Finally meeting my gaze, she pushes her shoulders back and insists, “We should keep this professional now that I’m your physical therapist.”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “You’re not using this to get between us. I’ll find another physical therapist before I let that happen. My PT is not an excuse to keep me at bay.”
“It’s not an excuse.”
I arch my eyebrows in challenge. We both know exactly what she’s doing. “What about dinner tonight? You have to eat.”
“My brother is in town. He got in late last night and I should really have dinner with him tonight.”
Her phone pings, and I notice her brother’s name flashing on the screen, bringing a smile to my face.
“That sounds great to me. I’d love to get to know your brother.
We obviously have a lot in common and I’ve only ever played against him.
He’s a fantastic player.” I pause, and she stares at me, dumbfounded.
“He’s texting you now,” I advise, nodding towards her cell.
She grabs her phone and huffs, frowning as she reads. “Um… He can’t. Evidently, he has a date.”
My grin grows. “So, that means you’re available to go out to dinner with me tonight.”
“Apparently,” she grumbles causing me to burst out laughing only making her glare intensify.
Swallowing my amusement, I tease, “Good to know it’s such a hardship to have a meal with me.”
Her face falls, turning apologetic. “It’s not like that, Levi.”
“It’s okay. I know you don’t mean anything by it, but I promise, I will make it worth your while.”
“You really don’t give up, do you?”
“When it comes to you, I don’t plan on it.”
A giggle escapes, but she quickly covers it up, turning it into a cough. “Okay. I will have dinner with you tonight, but would it be okay if we do take out instead? It’s been a long week.”
“Yeah, I like that plan. Better yet, I’ll cook you dinner.”
Her eyes widen, brightening, letting me know I’m making the right decision. “That sounds wonderful. I can’t say no to that.”
“Good. I have to go to the grocery store and run home to take a quick shower. After that I could come pick you up?”
“I can drive over to your aunt and uncle’s.”
“Let me pick you up. My place is attached to their house. I’d rather show you inside than have you come in through their front door or wander through the back yard to get to me the first time.”
“Okay.”
“Do you have any allergies or anything you won’t eat?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“Good. Then, I’ll be over around 6:30.”
“All right.” She shakes her head in disbelief, as if trying to figure out what just happened. “Keep the ice packs on your arm. You still have another ten minutes. I’ll be right back.”
A smile curves my lips as I watch her walk out of the room. I feel like I’m making progress. One step at a time. Hopefully, I can keep moving in this direction when it comes to Layla.