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 Finnwasprofessional even if Teddy’s mind wasn’t, and they moved on to the next set.
