Inhale to prepare. Exhale and sweep my arm up.
Easy enough, right? Only, not so much.
My shoulder spasms halfway through this rep, my arm giving out swinging back down by my side, the strap snapping off my hand.
My opposite hand instantly wraps around my shoulder, hips hinging forward, jaw clenching due to the pain.
Scarlett gasps.
“Fuck.” I grit out as she reaches out, her soft hand grazing mine to support my shoulder.
“Okay, Levi.” Her voice is soothing. “Let’s get some ice on that shoulder of yours, yeah?” Her green eyes soften as she takes me in.
She guides me downstairs, seating me on the couch before rushing off leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Every time I feel like I’m getting better and like I might be on my way to getting back on the ice, I get a brutal reminder of how devastating this injury really is for me. For my career.
Two steps forward, one step back.
I hear Scarlett’s footsteps returning, breaking me out of my spiral.
“Alright, hotshot.” She calls out as she enters the room. “Let’s get you sorted, yeah?”
I nod my head shortly.
She tilts her head at me. “Shirt off.” She commands, waving her hand.
Carefully, I pull my shirt up my torso, wincing as I start to drag it over my head while trying not to jolt my shoulder.
Wordlessly, she places the ice down and moves toward me, placing her hand over mine and softly pushing it away.
“Let me.” She murmurs, my heart skipping a beat as her one hand grabs the hem of my shirt, guiding it up over my head and the other supports my shoulder.
Her fingertips brush against my collarbone, making me tense, my muscles rippling against her touch.
It feels so good to have her this close.
I wince again as she moves my arm slightly to better guide the shirt over my head. She moves one of her hands to rest against my ribs.
“Easy, Lev. Take it easy, I’ve got you.” She says as her thumb starts to stroke my ribs in a soothing motion.
I release the breath I was holding, focusing on her touch – the one that feels way better than it should.
I smirk. “Lev, huh? That’s a first from you. You starting to like me a little, Quinn?”
Dropping my shirt to the floor, she scoffs, a soft flush creeping up her chest.
“You wish, Carter.” She says as she rolls her eyes, turning back to get the ice.
I say nothing in return as she wraps a tea towel around the ice.
“Hold still, now.” She tells me as she positions herself in front of me, my legs widening subconsciously to let her fit between them.
Placing one hand on my good shoulder, she places the ice pack against my injured joint. I flinch slightly – though, I can’t be sure whether it’s from the cold or from Scarlett’s tender touch.
“Sorry.” She whispers, as she holds the cold against my bad shoulder, her other hand stroking the length of my neck and shoulder in a comforting motion. Shivers shoot down my spine.
“No, you’re good.” I murmur back, lifting my head slightly so our eyes meet, hers flaring with something that looks like heat.
