I was desperate not to lose this tiny link to Reese, so I worked up the nerve to ask, “How’s the therapy going? It looks like you’re walking a lot steadier now.”
“It’s good,” Reese said. Since I couldn’t see him, I was forced to try and pick up on his tone. As badly as I wanted to turn and look over the armrest and into the back seat, I knew that would just look strange and probably make him uncomfortable.
“Sarah – that’s my physical therapist – says I’m ahead of schedule. I should be able to ditch the cane in a few weeks.”
“That’s great,” I said. And it was great, but I also knew that once the cane was gone, he’d likely be leaving Gage’s house. “I’m sure you’re eager to get back home and have things go back to normal,” I offered.
If Reese responded, I didn’t hear it.
“I take it you’ll be going back home soon?”
I saw Nash stiffen out of the corner of my eye at Reese’s question.
“That’s the plan,” I murmured.
Reese fell silent and since I didn’t know what else to ask him that wouldn’t potentially piss him off, I didn’t speak again. It took us about twenty minutes to get to the clinic, and once the GPS guidance ended, Reese directed Nash where to go. He pulled over in front of the clinic door. It was a small building and the parking lot wasn’t very full.
“Well, thanks,” Reese said. “The session takes ninety minutes.”
“Okay, we’ll be back by then,” I said. I wasn’t sure what we’d do in the meantime, but I didn’t care. As awkward as the last half an hour had been, it had been heaven.
I heard the door handle engage, but when nothing happened, I turned to look over my shoulder and saw Reese staring at the handle like he didn’t know what it was.
“Everything okay? Is it not working?” I asked. I was about to ask Nash if maybe the child locks were engaged, but Reese spoke up before I could.
“You could… you could come inside with me, if you want. To watch or something.”
I was sure my heart stopped beating in that moment. I actually reached for Nash before I remembered that I couldn’t. I snatched my hand back before Reese noticed. Reese must have mistaken my silence for disinterest because he suddenly jerked the door handle and said, “Never mind.”
“No, Reese, wait,” I called, then I jumped out of the car and practically flew around to his side of it as he got out. His jaw was tight and I once again saw the angry, cold man I was becoming all too familiar with. “I do,” I explained quickly. “I do want to come in and watch. More than anything,” I admitted. I glanced around the parking lot. Nash had gotten out of the car as soon as I had, but he was pretending not to be engaged in our conversation as he scanned our surroundings.
But I knew he was. I also had no doubt he knew exactly what I was feeling and would have reached out to comfort me if he could have.
“I just… I don’t want anyone to recognize me,” I said lamely. “You, Gage’s family… you guys won’t get a moment’s peace if reporters get wind that I’m here,” I said.
I was actually more concerned about Reese than Gage’s family. Because Gage would just be inconvenienced by the whole thing. Reese was the one who would be transported back in time to when he’d tried so hard to avoid the spotlight that had somehow always managed to find him.
“Your cap and sunglasses are in the trunk, sir,” Nash announced.
Reese and I both glanced at him, then I looked back at Reese.I’d look ridiculous sitting indoors with sunglasses on, but if I didn’t sit too close to anyone else, maybe it would work.
“It’s up to you, Reese,” I said. “If I’m wearing them, people might not figure it out.”
“It’s just Sarah in the room we’ll be in,” Reese said. “Ronan paid for the clinic to not book any other appointments during my time… he wanted me to feel comfortable enough to focus on the session.”
I wasn’t sure what he meant about needing to feel comfortable until I saw him tug at the sleeve of his shirt. Understanding dawned as I realized the ugly truth.
He was embarrassed about his burned arms.
My heart broke for him all over again right then and there and I nearly pulled him into my arms to tell him that it didn’t matter what kind of scars were left behind. But of course, I didn’t.
I couldn’t.
He would have shunned me for sure.
“Sarah’s going to be focused on me, so if you just stay along the wall where the visitors sit?—”
“Yes, okay, absolutely,” I blurted. “Anything.”
