Chapter 2
two
If Teddy had worried before that Finn might discover his actual age, that fear was now realized since the younger man had access to his medical records.
“Is this weird? Because you absolutely can reschedule with another therapist, Teddy. I won’t be offended.”
Finn also made it impossible to take the high road and just leave. Besides, Phineas Archer had come highly recommended, the best physical therapist in town, and honestly, Teddy didn’t want to make a fuss.
“It’s fine. As long as you promise to keep things professional.” He meant to smirk at the remark, but it turned out as disastrous as everything else lately and came out a grimace.
“Of course! And I’m serious, if at any point you want to switch to someone else, just tell me. If I didn’t already have a plan in place for you that I think you’ll really benefit from, I’d bow out myself.”
They were in a small room with a desk, computer, two chairs, and a massage table rather than a hospital bed. Teddy could not stop looking at the table. He’d already thought about getting a massage after the appointment, and now he was with Finn.
Those two things did not need to marry in his head right now.
“I’m sorry, I tend to ignore names until I’ve met someone,” Finn continued. “I just focus more on the injury and what’s needed of me while making a treatment plan; then once I meet the person, I’d never forget a name, especially with someone as memorable as you.”
Teddy’s eyes snapped to Finn’s glittering teal, and Finn blanched when he realized what he’d said.
“Sorry. Wow. Okay, fresh start? I really can be professional and help you through your recovery, I promise.”
“Finn,” Teddy said evenly, “it’s fine. Really. Let’s get started.”
With an obvious sigh of relief, Finn went through the usual questions Teddy expected from a doctor’s visit, making sure what they had on record was accurate and that there had been no changes.
“And don’t worry, we won’t go through this every time, since you’ll have frequent appointments.
Just the question about any changes. All we’re going to do today is go over your plan, hit the gym for a quick recap of the exercises you should be doing regularly, and prepare ourselves for the weeks ahead. Sound good?”
Finn was professional and knew what he was talking about. Teddy nodded.
“Great! Here’s the list you were given after surgery. Look familiar?”
The paper Finn handed him showed various simple exercises with descriptions and diagrams. Teddy thought maybe he had glanced at it before.
Once.
“Have you been doing your exercises at home?”
“Mostly.”
“Teddy,” Finn said like a scolding teacher.
“Not all or as often as I should,” Teddy admitted.
“I know this goes without saying, but ignoring your daily routine, especially now, so soon after surgery, will only set you back, increase risk of infection—”
“I’m aware.”
“Then you’ll be sure to be better while following my plan, right?” Finn smiled that dangerous sort of authoritative smile that skilled parents and dictators managed so flawlessly.
It did nothing to dilute how handsome he looked, even in scrubs.
“I get the impression you’re not going to let me get away with otherwise,” Teddy said.
“Well, I am the best at what I do.”
“Because you’re the pushiest?”
“That is one of my charms, yes.”
Teddy laughed, and when Finn joined him, the tension between them finally dissipated. Teddy could do this. Finn was all too easy to be around.
Once the formalities were out of the way, Finn led him from the exam room to the gym.
There were various machines, mats along the floor, a walking station with standing parallel bars for people to hang on to while they did their exercises, as well as a bar along the wall in front of a long mirror like in a ballet studio.
An elderly woman was being helped through the walking station by a lovely young redhead in seafoam green scrubs like Finn’s. Finn smiled at them in greeting before turning to Teddy.
“As a reminder, most of these exercises can be done in bed if it’s easier than getting on the floor, but for today, I’ll help you. The trick is to avoid rotating your hip. So first, slowly, get down on your knees.”
Maybe Teddy had jumped the gun, because hearing Finn say that in a soft, tender voice made his heart stammer, especially when warm hands gripped his elbows to assist.
Once he was down, Finn remained standing above him to guide his form. Teddy was sure to keep his eyes on the floor.
“Next, you’re going to roll onto your side and then onto your back, putting the least amount of pressure on the incision site and avoiding rotating where the top of your thighs meet your hips.
So, this way… yep… just like that.” He helped Teddy roll until he was lying down with his knees bent.
“See, look at you! Graceful even on your back.”
He blanched again.
“I mean….”
“I get it.” But it did not help that Finn was so adorably fumbling while most of the time being confident and capable. At least Teddy felt no pain after the movement, barely a twinge.
Finn released his arms and knelt beside him. “If you feel that getting down and up like that is too strenuous, we can switch to one of the exam rooms next time until you’re stronger. All on your terms, but don’t push yourself. Go ahead and stretch your legs out, and we’ll go through each exercise.”
Teddy did so, and Finn led him through the first few, starting with ankle rotations, which were easy enough.
“You’re going to want to do each of these three to four times a day. My recommendation is that we set up alerts on your phone to help remind you.”
“Fine by me, Doc.”
“Not a doctor the way you’re thinking. I just have a doctorate.”
“What’s the difference?”
“I can’t write you prescriptions.”
“Utterly useless, then.”
Finn laughed, the sound almost as captivating as the sight of his dimples when he smiled.
Teddy tried to focus on the ceiling instead of Finn’s face—and how close he was, hands occasionally moving to Teddy’s body to help him with his form.
“Great job. Next, we’re going to do buttock contractions.”
Or Teddy could die right now.
“Tighten your buttock muscles and hold to a count of five. Repeat ten times. Go ahead.”
“Right….” Teddy started to, but this move hurt a little.
“Slower. And count out loud, please.”
“Three…. F-four….”
“You all right?”
“Stings a bit. Not too bad.”
“You sure? Try even slower, and don’t lift your hips as much, just tighten.” Finn leaned over him and gently rested his hands on either side of the outside of his hips, holding just firm enough to keep him from lifting too far and stroking with his thumbs when he felt Teddy’s muscles clench.
He was just checking Teddy’s form and to see if the pain was anything concerning, but it made him suck in a sharp breath.
“Still hurts?”
“No.”
Finn’s eyes met his, and Teddy forgot his own name for a moment. “Keep counting.” Finn smiled.
“Seven…. Eight….”
As Teddy finished, he was able to shake off how drawn to Finn he felt, but only because Finn was professional even if Teddy’s mind wasn’t, and they moved on to the next set.
“How’s Smudge?” Finn asked once they were off the mat, doing standing exercises at the mirror.
“Good. Did you name him, by the way?”
“No, he came with it already. Why, thinking of changing it?”
“I was, but I think he’d resent me forever if I did.”
“Smart call. Cats are notorious grudge keepers. That’s why I’ll make sure to never cross you.” He chuckled, keeping up the joke from before.
He had no idea how right he was in Teddy’s case.
“You okay on prescriptions?” Finn asked.
“Thought you couldn’t write me any.”
“I still need to know. If you’re running low, you should make an appointment with your general practitioner.”
“I’m good. Anything else for today, Doc?” Teddy said, stressing the name despite Finn’s correction. He’d finished all the exercises, and while he was sore, he felt refreshed. He missed being active.
“Only getting the rest of your long-term plan in the books. Come on.” Finn brought him back to the exam room. “What’s your preference, then? Floor or bed?”
Teddy somehow managed to trip on his feet while sitting.
“For next time! For—”
“The exercises, I get it. Floor’s fine.”
Finn’s face was flushed as he turned back to the computer. “You’ll, um… need physical therapy two to three times per week for three months, then once per week for three months after that.”
“I remember.”
“How would you like our ongoing schedule to go? I recommend three days rather than two as the norm, but if something comes up, you can certainly cancel. I’ll get worried if you cancel on me too often, though. Any scheduling conflicts to work around?”
“Just my time with you.”
“What are you going to be doing while in town?”
“I’m still working on that.”
Finn remained thoughtfully quiet as he typed at the computer. “Same time as today, then, Monday, Wednesday, Fridays?”
“Sure.”
“Just let me know if anything comes up that might be physically taxing.”
“You’ll be the first.”
Finn’s fingers stuttered over the keyboard.
“To know. Because you’re my neighbor,” Teddy tried to explain, leaving them both fighting a blush this time—and laughter.
“I meant,” Finn said, “like getting into old habits with dance.”
“Not likely.” Teddy’s smile dropped.
“Oh? May I ask?”
“What?”
“Couldn’t you have stayed on with the ballet company as a consultant or other role? I know it wouldn’t be the same—”
“I wasn’t going to get stuck behind a desk planning events and schedules.” Teddy cut him off, having known this would come up eventually—it always did. “Watching others train and dance when I can’t.”
“You know,” Finn said with an awful look of pity, “even if it could never be the same—”
“Because of my age, recovery time, possible complications? I know the spiel, that I can overcome it all and make the most of what I have, but I don’t do anything halfway. If I can’t be all in, then I’m out. And when you’re out, you’re out. Time to move on.”