I waited for my two o’clock to show up for his appointment but as usual he was late. Finally, the door rang and in walked Brody Adams, smiling his signature cocky smile. He was the star quarterback on the school’s football team. He had a rupture in his tendon and had been coming in twice a week since then to work on stretching it and getting back into top shape. I had even created a recovery program for him to do daily. I loved working with his case. It was just his arrogance and cockiness that I didn’t much like but wasn’t that why I’d gone into this profession in the first place? To work with top athletes and he wasn’t even in the big leagues, so I could only imagine what they would be like. He smiled widely at me and came into the exercise room with me.
“Mornin’ Leah,” he said, with all his southern charm. I couldn’t help but laugh at the big oaf.
“Brody, it’s the afternoon,” I said at his foolishness.
“Maybe for you Leah; I just woke up. So, it’s still the morning for me,” he said.
“That explains why you’re always late,” I chided. He looked sheepish now and I liked it better than his cockiness.
“Sorry, I’ll try harder to be on time,” he said softly.
“Good because this time is important to help you with your recovery and I hate to see you missing any of it,” I admonished him and watched the thoughts going through his eyes. “How are the exercises going at home?” I asked him with a smile, so he knew I wasn’t mad.
“They’re going well, thanks. I’m feeling stronger every day, thanks to you,” He grinned and I was happy to hear that.
“Good, that’s my job,” I said happily. “But we still have lots to do. You’re not out of the woods yet,” I reminded him and directed him to the exercise equipment. The hour passed quickly; another reason I loved this job, the time always flew. I helped Brody up off the mat.
“You did good,” I told him and it always seemed to mean a lot to him when I did.
“Thanks Leah.” He grinned, standing up now, I smiled back.
“Okay. See you at five o’clock sharp on Tuesday, Mr. Adams and keep up with your daily exercise program,” I encouraged him smiling. He nodded his head at me and then with his signature cocky grin, opened his mouth to say something I knew I wasn’t going to like.
“Whenever you’re done with that tool Chris, let me know; I’d love to see you outside of the clinic,” he said before heading out the door. I just shook my head at him. It wasn’t the first time he’d made a comment about wanting to take me out or about not liking Chris, or both at the same time. I still didn’t know why he disliked Chris so much or if he just really wanted to go out with me but it still bothered me when he’d make those comments. Brody was nice enough and funny but I’d never be interested in a guy like him. He was too self-absorbed, cocky, and arrogant. Definitely not my type. Which made me think of Axel and wonder what he was like and if he could be my type. I quickly stopped that train of thought. No Leah, you are with Chris! I scolded.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Axel now, after last night he was the only constant thing on my mind but I had to get a grip, because Chris would be picking me up at any moment for our Saturday night sleepover. I grabbed my purse and left the clinic saying goodbye to my supervisor and my other classmate who still had clinic for another two hours. Chris’s silver Benz was parked out front of the clinic already waiting. I quickly jumped in and pushed all thoughts of Axel out of my head, as I went to kiss his waiting lips.
“Hey baby,” he said with a grin, his dark brown hair falling into his eyes. I wanted to cut it so badly.
“Hey,” I said, forcing out a smile.
“How was your day?” he asked, eyeing my appearance. “You look really tired,” he commented, making me feel self-conscious. I subconsciously touched my face.
“Yeah, I’m pretty exhausted,” I admitted. “It was a long day and Chels pressured me into going to a bar with her last night,” I told him honestly.
“Well let’s just stay in tonight then,” he said sweetly. I used to love how sweet and attentive he was but then I got to feel like he only wanted to be out with me when I looked good. He always wanted me to dress a certain way and would always tell me he liked it better when I wore makeup. At first, I liked it that I was a trophy to him and he prized me but now it just frustrated and annoyed me. I decided to be happy that we weren’t going out instead because I actually really didn’t want to go out tonight anyways.
“Sounds good, but can we go to my place?” I asked hopefully. I knew Chris didn’t like my place; it was too small for his big, rich boy lifestyle.
“Lee, come on,” he said frustrated now, his knuckles tight as they gripped the wheel. “You know my place is so much nicer and I have a huge TV and bigger bed, it doesn’t make sense to
