“Today, you’ll be with me. Then, starting tomorrow and for the first couple of weeks, you’ll be shadowing Helena. Get to know our facility, our setup, and get a real feel for the players.”
I bite my tongue at her comment. I already got quite a feel for Jensen’s face at the coffee shop. But I’m certain that’s not what she’s implying.
“After that, we’ll have you on your own schedule. Certain players will be assigned to you, depending on their area of need. For the time being, we won’t have you traveling with the players, as we already have the personnel assigned for our travel team. But if traveling interests you and we have openings, I’m sure we can find a place for you in the future.”
I hadn’t even considered travel being a part of it since it wasn’t listed anywhere in the description, but that would be so much fun.
“Yeah, if there is ever a need, please let me know.” I follow her down a new hallway as she fills me in about our day, trying to memorize our path in this insane facility.
“We’re meeting with a player this morning for their weekly session. No areas of direct need. Just an overall check-in to assess how they’re feeling and to make a plan for the week if anything needs attention.” She stops in front of a closed door and knocks twice.
“Come in,” a deep voice calls out, and a shiver shoots down my back.
Are you kidding me?I swear the universe is out to get me.
She pushes the door open and?—
Jesus Christ … keep your chin off the floor.
It’s just a body. He’s just a man.
Jensen is sitting on the exam table in a tank top that shouldn’t even be classified as a shirt and shorts that are riding up on his thighs, exposing a few tattoos on his quads that I didn’t know existed. But to be fair, he didn’t have any tattoos the last time we were friends, including the sporadic ones all over his arms.
I can still hate him and admire the work he’s put into his body simultaneously. Objectively speaking, he’s … attractive.Objectively speaking only.
Jensen’s lips tip up in a smile when we walk into the room, his gaze staying on me the entire time, only flicking to Caitlin when she starts to speak.
“Good morning, Jensen. How’re you doing?” she asks him, setting her binder down on the desk next to the computer.
He yawns and raises his arms up as he stretches, and I ignore the way his muscles flex, the veins bulging on his forearms. “Pretty good. You have a tagalong today?”
Caitlin gestures to me. “Yes, this is Lainey. She is our newest physical therapist to join the ranks.”
A moment that lasts a second but feels like an eternity passes between Jensen and me. Will we admit to knowing each other? Or will we pretend that we’re meeting for the first time today?
I quickly decide for the both of us, walking forward and sticking my hand out. “It’s nice meeting you.”
He takes my hand, gentle but firm. His eyes twitch and his thumb strokes the back of my knuckles, out of view from Caitlin. “It’sgreatto meet you, Lainey.”
I yank my hand away discreetly as my body temp spikes, despite my obvious disgust. He’s not surprised in the slightest to see me here, which leads me to believe that Luca gave him a heads-up about my new job.Of course he did.Those two haven’t skipped a beat in their friendship over the years.
“Anything to report? Any discomfort or pain anywhere?” Caitlin asks Jensen, who shakes his head.
“Nothing new, nope.” His gaze flicks to me for the shortest second, and that’s all I need to see to tell that he’s lying.
I know him, more than I’d like to admit. I’ve known him for most of my life. I can tell when he’s lying. I just don’t understandwhy. If something’s bothering him, then getting treatment is the best course of action, especially for his career.
“Great.” Caitlin claps her hands together. “We’ll just run through some stretches. The usual routine. You know how it goes.”
He smiles, nods, and leans back on the table, clearly accustomed to what’s next. Caitlin rubs some hand sanitizer between her hands before grabbing his right ankle and straightening his leg, stretching it out.
Studying him intently, I look for the slightest adjustment or resistance to indicate pain. But nothing is out of the ordinary as she bends that knee and moves it all around. She gently sets his right leg down before moving on to the left, her gaze on his leg.
But I’m not watching his leg, I’m watching his face, waiting for a wince or twitch. Jensen must feel my stare because his dark eyes drift over to find mine.
His nostrils flare, and I give him a moment to speak up and tell Caitlin about his discomfort. But he stays silent. My brows furrow, and I shake my head in disbelief.
When I part my lips to say something, Jensen clenches his jaw, the inner corner of his eyebrows twitching up in a silent plea. I bite down on my bottom lip to stop myself from saying anything.
