“Hey. Pay attention.” Tenny pushes the players back before checking on my colleague. “Daphne, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she mutters without looking up from her detailed inspection of the camera. “Ugh. They knocked the focus ring. Alex, just give me a minute to refocus, and we can continue.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Speaking full words is beyond me when my back feels like one hot pinch. I’ve had muscle spasms like this before, especially early on in my recovery when I pushed myself too hard or lifted something I wasn’t supposed to.
Daphne makes an irritated sound. “I forgot my microfiber cloth. I’ll be right back.”
I nod, but she’s not looking at me.
My breath slips out in shaky, short bursts as I use all my willpower not to rub my scar. Appearing unaffected fails miserably when I shift my weight, and liquid agony spreads down my spine. My whimper is absolutely pitiful.
“Alex.”
Tenny suddenly feels like he’s everywhere, he’s crowded so close. His hands hover over my lower back, and the warmth emanating from them has no right being so soothing. I want to sag into him. I want him to press those large hands over my aching muscles more than I’ve wanted anything in a long time.
“What’s wrong?”
I exhale through another painful spike, keeping my gaze on the blue stitching of his jersey collar. “Just a muscle spasm. I have…I have a bad back.”
That’sputting it lightly.
I have a formerly shattered spine held together by rods and screws and nothing short of a medical miracle. Oh, and I also have the super-awesome parting gift of occasionally setting off metal detectors.Funzies.
“Let me take you to Dr. Ramirez. She’s incredible.”
“No. I’m fine. I just”—another spasm has me clenching my teeth—“need a minute.”
“You need help.” His worried eyes sweep my face.
I move to wave my hand dismissively, but the action makes me wince.
A muscle in Tenny’s jaw pops as he leans in.
“I’m taking you to Dr. Ramirez.” It’s a command, not a request. “You’re not going to fight me on this. You can fight me later, about whatever you want, but I’m helping you, Alex.”
I glare at him out of habit, and because I hate appearing weak, but the throbbing around my battered spine makes my decision for me. A shaky breath leaves my pursed lips as I nod.
Tenny’s gaze softens. “Can I carry you?”
The way he asks this last question, low and protective, does weird things to my heart.
“No.” I accidentally hit his torso when I hold up a shielding palm. “Being carried right now would make it worse. Let me walk. It’s just…” I bite my lip to keep from crying when another searing burst rockets through my body. “I need to move slowly.”
“Then let’s go slow.” Tenny collects my hand in his, allowing me to offload some of my weight on him.
We’re three agonizing steps toward the exit when I remember Daphne. “I need to tell—”
“I’ll handle it,” Tenny interrupts. “I’ll handle everything. The only thing that matters is getting you taken care of.”
A hard swallow works down my tight throat.
“I got you, Alex.” This time his words are a soft promise. “I’ve got you.”
Chapter 6
Tenny
