Never in her life had shechosento make someone feel that way. Never in her life had she walked away when she knew she could do something to make a person feel better. Never. In. Her. Life.
She clutched the quilt to her chest and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to drown out the voices in her head screaming that she was wrong when she knew at her core she was right.
_____
Penny awoke the next morning surprised she'd slept so deeply. The sun was high in the sky, and Kelty was already gone. She’d left her a note on the counter telling her there were boiled eggs and yogurt in the fridge. Penny gladly partook.
She was halfway through her key lime pie Yoplait when Sean walked down the stairs.
“Oh, hey.”
“Good morning.”
He strode into the kitchen. “I forgot you were here.”
“I don't see how. It's not like we didn't have this planned for weeks.”
Sean chuckled and walked to the fridge for a Dr. Pepper. He pulled the tab and took a drink, then stood there awkwardly in the middle of his own kitchen.
She scooted her chair closer to the table. “You don't have to say anything, it's okay.”
“Good because I wasn't going to say anything.” He took a step and winced, then flexed his toes against the floor and kept walking.
“Is your leg bothering you?’ Penny asked.
“No,” he answered. She nodded and looked back down at her spoon, but Sean paused by the stairs. “I think I might’ve tweaked my hamstring.”
“Oh, yeah? How long ago?
He shrugged. “I don't know, a month?”
“And it's still bothering you?”
“Not as bad as it was.”
Penny tapped the edge of her yogurt cup. “Do you want me to take a look? Thatiswhat I do for a living.”
“I don't want to—”
“Sean, I have no plans today besides sneaking back into my apartment and packing while Brett's at work. So I'd be happy to see what's going on. In exchange for the couch space.”
Sean nodded once, then stalked back toward the kitchen. Penny motioned to a chair and set down her yogurt. When he was comfortable, she gently lifted Sean's leg. “Let me know if you feel any pain.” Penny pressed along the muscle, feeling for abnormalities. Sean winced slightly as she reached a spot midway up his thigh.
"Right there," Sean murmured, his brow furrowing.
Penny paused over the spot. "That's it, isn't it? Feels like a strain, possibly a minor tear." The muscle fibers bunched under her fingers.
Sean nodded. "So, what do I do?"
"Stop going to practice for one thing.”
He scoffed. “That’s not happening.”
Penny pursed her lips. “You’re telling me that you have a player who's been working out in the bleachers for months so he can be healthy for next season, and you’re not willing to do the same?” Sean looked chagrined, and she sat back in her chair. “A couple of weeks. That’s all it should need, but if you keep stressing it on Monday nights, you won’t give it a chance to fully heal.”
Sean exhaled. “That’s it?”
“Ice it once a day, then do a couple of stretches before bed. Like the one you just did over there.”
