Honest Love (3 page)

“You’re sweet.  I’ll consider it.  Thanks, Andy.”

“All you have to do is call.  Karen thinks the world of you, especially knowing your story.”

“Okay!  I get it!  Geez…”  He laughed and stood up to leave.  Andy reached and gave me a big hug with his good arm. 

“You have people here who care about you.  Let us, okay?”

“Okay.  Thank you.  Now, go!  And hire someone to help you!  You certainly can afford it.”  He laughed and walked out the door. 

“See you next week, Claire.”

“Bye, Andy!”  I said with a snarky tone.

Chapter 3

Claire

Melissa handed me his chart without a word and walked away with some cocky grin on her face.  I knew nothing good was going to come out of the little ‘nugget’ of a patient she’d just handed me.  “Thanks?”  I questioned.

“You bet.” I could’ve sworn she was laughing.

I glanced inside his file and went over his injuries.  Hmm…fireman, 35 years old, knee injury, multiple surgeries…okay, not too bad.  Then, I saw a side note written in Melissa’s handwriting. 

G&R

I nearly laughed out loud.  I knew exactly what it meant and why she gave him to me. 

‘Grumpy and Rude!’  Below that she had written, “Don’t be offended by Derek.  He’s not as bad as he seems.  I promise.  Take good care of him.”

If I didn’t already love Melissa and know her reasoning, I probably would’ve thought I was her least favorite therapist.  But this was her way of giving me a challenging patient to distract me from my misery.  So, as soon as Derek London sauntered into my therapy room, I knew I was in for a fight.  He was the same gorgeous man I’d seen in our waiting room the week before.  He was tall and thin, but all muscle.  What really struck me, just like that day in the waiting room was the deep scowl on such a handsome face.  I hadn’t been able to get a really good look at him before because his head had been bent down looking at his feet, but now—holy hell!  He wasn’t just handsome.  He was perfect, strikingly rugged and fucking hot.  Even with the look of disgust plastered across his face, he was one gorgeous man.  I paused to take a look at his file one more time before I call his name.  I knew how to help him with the recovery, but wasn’t sure I could put up with some asshole that was pissed at
me
because his return to work all depended on my recommendation.  I took a deep breath.  “Derek?”  He stood and glared at me suspiciously, giving me a good look at his golden eyes. 

“Yeah?”

“This way, please.”

“Who the hell are you?”  Well, off on a good note, I see.

“I’m Claire.  I’m going to be helping with your therapy over the holidays.”

“Where’s Melissa?  I want to talk to her.”

“She’s probably spending the day with her family.  She gave me your case for the holidays and I can assure you I’m perfectly capable of handling your therapy.”

“Family, yeah right,” Derek mumbled.  “Look, I need to be released from therapy as soon as possible so I can get back to my job.  So, let’s get started.  I’ll call Melissa later.”

All I could think about was how
ugly
this gorgeous man had become the instant he spoke.  It was a shame.  “Follow me, please.”  I led him to my therapy room and resumed the exercises that were laid out in his chart.  I didn’t speak.  Not one question.  Not one word, except to call out the next set of exercises.  I had no energy for assholes like Derek London. 

Every now and then, during his session, I’d notice an odd glance or two from him, but ignored it.  I didn’t want his negative shit adding to my own.  This was my job.  I was his physical therapist, not his friend or counselor and this
job
was what would keep me going while I learned to wrap my head around my new life.  Derek didn’t say much either.  He grunted a few times when I pushed him harder, but other than that, he was speechless.  It wasn’t until we were just about done and I was giving him a relaxation massage, that I took the opportunity to really take a good look at him. Derek removed his shirt as he laid face down on the massage table in my therapy room and I let a little gasp escape. 
Wasn’t expecting that.
 

Most patients didn’t remove their clothing.  These massages were only meant to relieve the tension built up in the body as a result of the stress from working an injury.  He’d apparently heard me because a small, stupid grin turned up on one corner of his mouth.  I ignored him.  His tall, lean body was tan and smooth…defined and he had a few tattoos on his ribs.  I’d never been much into body ink, but he wore it well.  It was sexy on Derek and I couldn’t stop staring at it as I slowly rubbed the tension from his neck and shoulders.  The tattoos were some sort of poem or
something
written on his left ribcage.  Sheer force of will kept me from getting a closer look.  Yeah, you could say I was attracted to him. 

As our session ended, I turned my back, walked to the sink and washed the oils off my hands.  I took a deep breath.  “If you wish to have someone else treat you, check with Melissa.”

“Okay.” 

“I’m filling in for some of the other therapists during the holidays so that they can spend time with their families.”  Had I not turned to see his face, I wouldn’t have seen the slight twitch of his mouth and squint of his eyes. 

“Why are you filling in for everyone?  Don’t you have your own family to be with?  Are you some kind of martyr or something?”  His tone wasn’t one of genuine concern for me.  No, it was laced with sarcasm. 

“My personal business isn’t part of your therapy.”  I walked to open the door and step out into the hallway.

“Look…I didn’t mean…that didn’t come out…”

His tone had softened.  Maybe he realized he was over-stepping.  I simply waved my hand like I didn’t care and said, “Call Melissa.”

I led him to Allison’s desk to check-out and make his next appointment, then quickly said good-bye and walked back to my office before the tears I’d choked back took over.  I sat behind my closed door and worked to calm myself.  He didn’t know anything about me and obviously didn’t think before he shot off his fucking mouth.  I should expect questions like that from the other patients too.  They would all wonder why I was doing what I was doing.  Best to be honest.

*****

My next few clients were my own, then two more of Melissa’s.  This time one was a college tennis player with San Diego State who was nursing an injured elbow, while the other was a high school football player recovering from ankle surgery.  Both were super easy and grateful to be able to have extra therapy sessions over the Christmas break.  Their cheerfulness lightened my mood after my morning with Derek.  I was still having trouble shaking off his comments
and
my fascination, but felt confident that Melissa would pass him along to another therapist.

It was nearly six o’clock by the time I finished my paperwork and left the office.  Allison had attempted to talk to me a few times during the day but I avoided getting drawn into anything lengthy with her.  I was hypersensitive and didn’t want to talk about anything—at all.  I was ready to go home, grab a glass of wine and soak in my giant bathtub.  As I made the drive home, parked and walked into my lonely house, I mulled over the conversation Melissa and I’d had at the end of the day. 

*****

“
You need to pass Derek on to someone else.”  I announced as I stood at her office just before leaving.

“Why?  What happened?”

“He was pretty clear he doesn’t want me treating him.”

“He needs to do as much therapy as possible over the next few weeks.  I’d really appreciate it if you’d be the one to do it.”

“Then
you
need to explain that to
him
.  He doesn’t want my help.  I found myself being too sensitive to all his little jabs and I don’t want to appear unprofessional.”

“Well, I want to shift his case to you, permanently.  He takes up too much of my schedule and since you offered…” 
Shit.

“You’re right.  I did offer, but if he’s going to be rude and downright mean, I’m not sure I’m up for that challenge, Melissa, not right now, at least.”

“Claire…he’s had a rough few years.  I’ve known him a long time.  His grumpiness isn’t personal.  Believe me.  It’s his own demons that make him that way.”

I took a deep breath.  I understood demons.  I had a few of my own.  “Demons I get.  Doesn’t excuse being an asshole to a perfect stranger...one who is trying to help him.  I’d like for you to talk to him.  He was pretty adamant about getting in touch with you today anyway.  If you want me to continue treating him, I will.  But I’d appreciate it if you tell to keep his comments to himself.”

“I’ll talk to him.  I’m sorry.”  Melissa’s face had changed.  Something was off.

“I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have been so…”

“No, listen.”  Melissa held her hand up to stop me from talking.  “You need to know a few things about Derek.”

“Okay…”

“A few years back, he was a pro football player.  Got drafted the end of his junior year at the age of 21.  He was really good.  Had everything he ever wanted and was able to play for about seven years.  But he suffered a career ending injury that ultimately tore his world apart leaving him lost and broken hearted.  He and I worked
his
ass off for over a year to heal his knee and he trained like crazy to become a fireman.  He’s been doing that for…I guess close to five years now.  Things have gone wrong on a few calls and he’s re-injured that same knee.  So he comes back to me to help heal him up and put him back together.  He was 28 when he got hurt.  Now at 35, things just don’t heal as quickly as he would like.  He’s not a bad guy.  He’s just taken some pretty big lumps.”

I sighed but didn’t say anything.

“I knew you would be good for him.  He needs someone who won’t put up with his shit, Claire.”

How could I say no to that?  I sighed, bowed my head and said, “Okay, just please talk to him.  Let him know I won’t set his progress back.  I just want to help.”

“I will.  He’ll see how incredible you are.”  Melissa’s smile was infectious.

“Yeah, well we’ll all see, won’t we?”  Melissa laughed and I started to leave, but turned and said, “I know I’m all girly and may not understand the passion of football, but ‘broken hearted.’  Really?  It’s just football.  Was it the money?”  I couldn’t hide my sarcasm.  I just didn’t care much for the cocky, macho crap that I’d seen from many of the athletes I’d helped over the years.

Melissa’s face turned serious.  “No, it wasn’t the fame, game or money.  It was a girl… 
The Girl
according to Derek.  He met Abbi his sophomore year at San Diego State and fell hard.  They had just gotten engaged about a month before he was drafted, but postponed the wedding so she could finish her degree.” 

I listened intently to the story as Melissa continued.  “They’d been married I guess almost 6 years when he was injured.  She left him a few months later.”

“What happened?” 

“She loved the fame and fortune.  She’d had a really good taste of it during that time and didn’t want to give up the life.  So, she left him.  Said she never wanted to be married to ‘a nobody.’  He’s sure that had he never played, never gotten injured and never exposed her to
that
lifestyle, they would still be together.  So, every time that damn knee of his fails him, it’s a bitter, vivid reminder of what he’s lost.”

“Wow.”  I didn’t know what else to say.

“Yeah, so cut him a little slack.  Yes, he’s a major asshole.  But…”

“But what?”

“He’s my brother.  So, he
might
shoot his stupid mouth off a little too carelessly around here.”

“Your brother?”  I was sure my eyebrows shot up to my hairline.

“Yes, but no one knows.  He and I prefer it that way.  He gets a lot of recognition around town.  Just about everyone from San Diego is familiar with his story.  He’s like a local hero.  You know, this incredible football player, never partied or got into trouble and could’ve lived off his earnings for the rest of his life while whoring around after his breakup.  But instead, he worked his ass off to become, of all things…a firefighter, civil servant in the city that loved him so much”  Melissa threw her hands up in some grand gesture, teasing about her saint of a brother, all the while grinning and rolling her eyes, making me laugh.

“Wow.  He’s your brother.  I think that part shocks me most of all.”  We both let out a loud cackle.

“Right!  He’s a good man.  He just can’t seem to recover, I guess.  I know he’s dated a few girls, but from what he’s told me, they wanted the notoriety of being with ‘DEREK LONDON’ and ended up just adding more salt to his wounds.”  She paused.  “I don’t want him to know I told you his story.  He’s prideful…like you.”  She winked.

“Yeah, I kind of got that impression.  I thought it was more of an arrogance, but now that I think about it, it was just a wall.  I know all about putting up walls.  I’m a fucking expert.”  I let out a small laugh.  “Thank you for telling me.” 

“I was going to tell you earlier, but didn’t want Allison to overhear.  She doesn’t know the story.  And I was half hoping he’d behave himself and not be an ass.” 

I grinned.  “Well, I do have to say that I’m kind of impressed that he didn’t pull out the ‘sister’ card on me when he demanded to talk to you.” 

“Me, too.  Although, he usually wouldn’t do that.  I’ve always given him a ‘heads up’ if he had to see another of my therapists.  I didn’t get a chance to tell him this morning.  I’m surprised he hasn’t blown up my phone and tried to throw his weight around.”

“So, let’s talk a little more about his injury and what you’ve done in the past to help.  I’d like to try a few new things, if he’s willing.”

“Great!  Also, just so you know, his ‘ex’ does show up every now and then.  So, if he comes in and seems a bit off…well, more than usual…just know she screws with his head every now and then.”

“Okay.  Thanks for letting me know.”

We chatted for another half hour before I made my way to my car and home to my luxurious bathtub.