Page 64 of The Goalie in Room 1

“God dammit, Cash. You had surgery two days ago. You’re taking pain medication. You’re injured. Dependent on me for basic care. Staying in my house. And on top of all that…I am still your physician.”

“I feel like a fucking burden.”

“That is not what I said.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“You are not a burden.”

Cash looked away.

“And I am not pulling away because I don’t want you. It’s because I do. So fucking much.”

His eyes came back to mine. I forced myself to hold his gaze.

“I’m pulling away because I have to.”

Neither of us moved.

Cash’s voice dropped. “I want you too, Doc.”

“This is not the time or place for this conversation. It’s also not a revelation. We knew how we felt. We agreed.”

“True, but⁠—”

“No. No buts. You are in an extremely vulnerable position, and I’m trying not to take advantage of it. Of you.”

“You think I don’t know what I want?”

“You’re a man. I would never make the mistake of telling you what you want, but wanting something doesn’t automatically make acting on it right.”

His chest rose with a slow breath. “I fucking hate this, you know that?” he asked.

“I do. And I hate it as well.” My hand cupped his face, my thumb brushing over his cheekbone, hating the lingering bruising under his eyes from how violently ill the anesthesia made him. “But…there’s a widget on your phone counting down to the end of the madness.”

“Just mine?”

“No. Not just yours.” I admitted to adding the same widget to mine with the exact same date.

Understanding gradually replaced the frustration that mirrored mine. Taking a deep breath, I opened the brace and carefully removed the protective covering, leaving the Steri-Strips in place.

“Everything looks good,” I stated once the dressing underneath was revealed. It had remained dry.

“You say that like you’re surprised. My doctor is the GOAT.”

I laughed and said, “Yeah, he is. And I’m never surprised when my work looks good.”

“Arrogant asshole.”

“You picked me.”

“I didn’t have many options.”

“You had other surgeons.”

“None I trusted.”

My hands stilled on the brace.