I walk over, not waiting for him. I hear his groan once he’s on his feet, and it takes him a moment to hobble over.
He stops in front of me, holding my gaze with a challenge. For the briefest moment, he relaxes, but it’s quickly replaced by tension and that familiar need to annoy me. He holds his chin out, like he’s baiting me.
I don’t know what he thinks he has to prove here—with me, of all people.
“On your back,” I say. “Leg raises. Start with five, holding for three seconds.”
I get down on the mat beside him, needing to watch his form. These guys always come in thinking they know everything, and most of the time, they’re doing things wrong. If it isn’t done right, it won’t help a damn thing.
“Tighten the muscle in your thigh,” I instruct. “Lift it from here.” I tap his thigh.
“I know how to do a fucking leg raise,” he grumbles.
I bite my tongue as I watch him do the five raises, and to be honest, he does them pretty well. When he’s done, he looks at me, waiting for what to do next. But I don’t say a word.
“What now, Mr. Teacher?”
I wait a beat before saying, “Do you want to get better?”
“What the fuck kind of question is that? Obviously.”
“Then stop acting like you know more than me. I’m the one with the degree.”
He rolls his eyes. “Whatever.”
“Do five more.”
The rest of our session is pretty quiet. I tell him what to do. He does it. It’s only when he leaves that I realize something is wrong… because he wastooquiet.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Alex
I curl up on the couch, pulling the blanket to my chin as I zone out and try to ignore my mother.
“You can’t just lay around here like a lump, Alexander,” she bites out.
“I’m resting,” I say tiredly. “I had therapy today, remember?”
My mother rolls her eyes. “Yes, and you’ve been on that couch since you came home. You promised to help me around here. You also promised to go on a date.”
I close my eyes and grunt out a sound of frustration.
I had canceled my date with Kearstin on Wednesday because after my therapy session I was in too much pain. After collapsing in Mack’s office and driving home, I was fucking done. Which is why I texted Kearstin and told her we’d have to postpone our “date” since I was useless.
“Honestly, I think you are using your injury as an excuse,” my mother says as she stands in front of me, arms crossed, tapping her foot.
I can’t with this woman. Has she lost her mind? Has the hairspray seeped into her brain?
I sit up, grab my phone, and cast her an angry glare as I text Kearstin.
Hey, it’s Alex. Are you free tomorrow by chance?
I get a text back almost immediately. My mother takes two steps forward, looking over my shoulder and watching Kearstin’s response come in.
I only let her watch because she’ll say I’m beingdifficultif I don’t. Not that I care what she thinks, but I’m not in the mood to deal with any more bullshit today.
I am, actually! I can meet you, if you want. Just let me know a time and place.
