Page 105 of Heal Me, Love Me

Derek

That sucks but at least you know what’s wrong now

A few seconds later, Devon’s name appeared on my screen:

Focus on PT and getting healthy. The gym will still be here when you’re ready

The problem was that I didn’t want the gym to be there later. I wanted to be back on the mats now. I wanted to hit pads and drill takedowns. I wanted to feel like a fighter instead of a patient.

When Mason dropped me off at the house, my shoulder and head hurt, and I was already sick of being told what I couldn’tdo. He took my car to the gym, and I went inside, lowering myself onto the couch like I was eighty.

My phone buzzed a little while later:

Rowan

Sorry. I was in training when you called

A second text came through:

Can you call me or are you busy?

I pressed the call button, and he answered on the first ring. “Hey, baby.”

“Hey.”

“Sorry about earlier.”

“No big deal, you were training.”

“I still hate that I missed you. I’ve been wondering all day how things were going.”

My throat tightened before I could stop it. “Yeah, I was there for quite a while.”

“What did the doctor say?”

I looked down at the sling. “Pretty much what I texted. Small labral tear, shoulder’s unstable because it slipped partway out, but no surgery for now if I behave.”

“If?”

“Everyone’s really enjoying that part.”

“Because they know you.”

“I’m starting to feel attacked.”

“You should.”

I rested my elbow on the arm of the couch. “I have to do PT, and there’s no training until I’m cleared. Doc said fighting in five or six months is possible.”

“That isn’t as bad as it could have been.”

“I guess. I was also thinking I should probably stay here instead of going to Florida.”

He let out a breath. “You do?”

“Yeah. The doctor seems to really know his stuff, and he said the PT facility is one of the best in the state. Don’t think it would be a good idea to pass that up.”

“No, it wouldn’t,” he agreed, but he couldn’t hide the disappointment in his voice.