The Nice Guy and the Therapist (New Hampshire Bears Book 11)

by Mary Smith

  “Hi, girls.” Caryn tried to keep her voice even but obviously saw how broken hearted they were.

  Chloe sat down next to Bria and put her arm around the frail child. Caryn took a seat across from them. Unsure of what to say—for the first time in her life—she sat quietly, looking down at her shaking hands. Still feeling the adrenaline pumping through her, she tried her best to hide it but seemed to be failing at it.

  Leia came over and sat beside her. “Dad’s been hurt before and he always pulls through.”

  Caryn gave her a small smile. “He’s very strong.”

  Nodding in agreement she said, “I think it’s because he’s stubborn. I know he won’t be happy not playing hockey, but he will get through this.”

  A moment of silence fell around them as the sounds of the hospital surrounded them. Caryn kept her head down, still not sure what to do or say.

  “You’re definitely Dad’s type.” Leia leaned in, keeping her tone low.

  Her comment made Caryn smile. “Am I?” She looked up at the teenager. “How so?” Knowing she shouldn’t pry but curiosity got the best of her.

  “You’re a redhead, beautiful, and you seem very smart.” She easily ticked off the items on her fingers.

  “How did you know to call me?” Cabel never let on he told anyone about their relationship.

  “Dad’s horrible at keeping secrets.” Leia smirked. “He’s always smiling when he’s texting and the last few weeks I know the sadness on his face was because he’s in love, and it’s complicated.” She shook her head. “He always gives me his cell phone before the game. I used to play games on it. Lately, he’s specifically told me not to look at his texts. That’s when I knew.”

  Caryn’s cheeks heated up thinking of their conversations.

  “I promise I didn’t look. Well, just the last few and that’s when I knew you truly meant something to Dad. I know he’d want you here.”

  “Thank you, Leia.” Just then, Oliver walked briskly into the room. Unconsciously, Caryn leaped up, ran toward him, and hugged him tightly. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she confessed.

  “Me too. Me too.” He kissed her cheek, released her, and placed her feet back onto the floor. “Chloe.” He walked around Caryn to get to Cabel’s ex-wife and the children.

  She watched as he hugged each of them, giving them words of comfort and support. Oliver Matthews proved time and time again just how wonderful he really was to others. It made Caryn proud to be part of it and see it firsthand.

  As she continued to watch the interactions a doctor came up and asked, “Oliver?”

  They all turned and Oliver led them, including Caryn, into the hallway and down to a smaller room. Caryn began to shake again. She knew from her years of working in a hospital, this never was a good thing.

  “Let me give you an update,” the doctor began. “Cabel is stable. After an MRI, we have concluded he has torn his ACL very badly and there’s also a small tear in his MCL.”

  “Oh man.” Caryn shook her head. This wouldn’t be easy on him.

  “I’ve already spoken to him, and he’s agreed to have surgery. We’ve given him some pain meds and it’ll be performed tonight. He doesn’t want to wait,” the doctor continued.

  “What’s the recovery timeline?” Caryn spoke up.

  “Six to eight weeks in a leg splint. He won’t have much use of it. I’m thinking six to nine months of physical therapy, but he…” He paused. “With the early onset of arthritis in his knees, this was likely his last game as a professional hockey player.”

  Leia and Bria gasped as Chloe and Caryn glanced at Oliver.

  “Does he know?” Oliver asked keeping his face neutral.

  The doctor nodded. “He does and he’s not happy about it. I’ve been proven wrong before but with the damage that’s already been done to his knees and then this, I just don’t see him getting back on the ice.”

  “When can we see him?” Chloe questioned.

  “You can see him now. They’ve not prepped him for surgery yet. Follow me.” He led them down another hallway and stopped just short of the end of it and held out his arm to the left. “He’s in there.” He nodded and left them standing there.

  Chloe and the girls went in first, and Caryn made the decision to stay back in the hallway. She didn’t want to impede on family time. Oliver stood next to her.

  “Don’t want to see him?”

  “His kids should see him first,” she told him.

  “You’re his girlfriend. You can see him at the same time.”

  Caryn shook his head. “I was just a friend or a person who he hung out with occasionally,” she clarified to him.

  “I believe you’re wrong.”

  She didn’t say anything, only looked down at the floor.

  “What is it, Caryn?” Oliver called her out. “Tell me.”

  Tears burned behind her eyes. “I like him—a lot—and for some reason, I can’t seem to tell him how I feel. However, I can push him away and avoid him at every turn.”

  Oliver chuckled. “Oh, Caryn Hammonds, you’re more like me than you think.”

  She turned to him. “How so?”

  “I’m the exact same way.” He hugged her shoulders. “You just have to listen to your heart. Just like I did with you.”

  “I know, but right now, I’m certain he doesn’t want to see me. I just wanted to make sure he’s okay. And he is.” Every part of her being told her to leave and go back home. She knew she’d sit by the phone and wait for him to call her because she didn’t want to pressure him.

  “If you leave without seeing him, he’ll be very upset.” Oliver’s firm tone didn’t affect her the way he thought it should.

  “Just keep me updated.” She moved out of his hold and began walking down the hall toward the exit signs. She almost made it until someone touched her elbow.

  “Leaving so soon?”

  Caryn turned to see Chloe staring back at her. “No, well, I just figured he’s fine—”

  “Let’s get some coffee.”

  She couldn’t tell her no. Technically, she could, but she didn’t want to be rude. “Sure.”

  In silence, they walked down the hall and rode the elevator down to the cafeteria. Caryn couldn’t figure out if Chloe was mad, just being quiet, or trying to process who Caryn was and what happened to Cabel. Nonetheless, Caryn was in unknown territory.

  After making their coffee and standing in line, Caryn followed Chloe to a table near the back of the room where not many people were seated.

  “How is Cabel doing?” Caryn asked, trying to break the ice.

  “He’s okay. Well, no, not really. He’s pretending to be okay,” she told her truthfully. “I told him you were here.”

  Caryn nodded. “My concern has been making sure he’s okay. As long as he is, then I’m okay.”

  Chloe sipped her coffee, pausing for a moment before asking, “May I be personal with you?”

  Her heart stopped. The conversation began to head in a direction she didn’t know if she wanted.

  “I’ll take your silence as a yes.” Chloe sat up taller. “Cabel isn’t the type of man to date just anyone. You have to be very special to him for him to spend the time he has with you.”

  Caryn wondered how much she knew about their relationship. Cabel had said they were best friends, which probably meant she knew it all.

  “I’m curious about your intentions.”

  They stared at each other for a few seconds before Caryn confessed, “I care for Cabel. Deeply.”

  “And what about Oliver?”

  Caryn shrugged. “What about him?”

  “I know you’re seeing him as well as Cabel. I’m the last person to pass judgment on someone, but I see how Cabel lit up when he talked about you. I see the heartache in his eyes when he talks about the situation you’ve put him in. He cares about you. He cares about you much more than you think he does and probably more than he’ll admit publicly. However, having two men sharing personal
aspects of your life seems much more juvenile than you put off.”

  “Chloe.” Caryn leaned closer to her. “The relationship I have with Oliver is nothing, and I mean nothing, like I have with Cabel.”

  “Then why are you still having dinners with Oliver?” she questioned her. “If it’s so different, why still do it?”

  She didn’t know how to tell her. Saying the truth aloud turned her stomach into knots. The door of her and Oliver’s relationship needed to remain shut to the public. At least for a little bit longer. She knew, and Oliver did as well, it’ll have to open and the secret of what they meant to each other will have to be revealed.

  Just not now.

  “Thank you for the coffee. Please let Cabel know I was here.” Caryn stood up, leaving her untouched coffee, and swiftly moved away from Chloe.

  Running away from everything.

  Just as she almost opened her car door, hearing her name being called out stopped her. Turning she saw Chloe jogging toward her.

  “Where are you going?” she asked breathlessly.

  “Um…” Caryn completely forgot what she was currently doing.

  “I didn’t mean to pry and make you run away.” She had the saddest expression on her face. “Cabel still wants to see you.”

  “I need to go. Let me know, I’ll call him later.” Caryn gave a polite smile, got into her car, and drove away.

  She didn’t look back.

  Another week had passed, and Caryn threw herself into work. Oliver had kept her updated on the situation with Cabel. His surgery went well, but when the doctor took a closer look at his knee, the arthritis had been much worse than they thought. They truly didn’t believe Cabel would play hockey again. It broke her heart thinking the last game he played would be the one that ended his career. She knew he thought it would end on his own terms.

  As the workday ended, Caryn made her way to The New Outlook. The contract for the construction of adding an additional wing had been signed but nothing had been started yet. Caryn hoped the fundraiser, coming up next month, would be the bankroll for the rest of the costs.

  Walking through and doing her rounds and talking to the patients, Caryn’s heart still felt heavy with worry for Cabel. She wanted to talk to him, but he hadn’t contacted her. Oliver never said anything, one way or the other, and she didn’t press the issue. She glanced at her phone more and more, almost praying for him to text her. She wanted him to make the first move because he needed to want to be with her. If she contacted him, it might confuse him, and right now he needed to focus on his career and rehabilitation of his knee.

  It had been quite late when she left The New Outlook, so she decided to head to the store instead of ordering takeout. Grabbing a basket, she strolled over to the produce section. Inspecting the items in front of her, her mind wandered to Cabel and the first time she cooked for him. She had been extremely nervous and burnt the first pan of chicken. It almost felt like she was competing for some sort of food competition. He never complained once about the meal, even though she knew it didn’t taste the best.

  “How are you?”

  Caryn turned toward who asked the question. Chloe. “Oh, um, hello. I’m…well.” Telling her the truth about how she really felt wasn’t an option.

  “Are you? Because you look as exhausted as Cabel.”

  Searching for a way out, Caryn remained quiet. Hearing about how he was hurt her more.

  “I never get involved in Cabel’s personal life, but he is my best friend and the father of my children, and I feel I need to tell you something.”

  Bracing for the barrage of words about to hit her, Caryn stood tall and waited for the attack.

  “He is an incredible man. The nicest one I’ve met and probably ever will. I’ve known him since we were children and never, ever have I seen him like this. Ever. Please call him and talk to him. Right now, he’s going through a lot, and it’s like he’s drowning in a whirlpool of pain. I believe you’re the one person who can save him.”

  Tears burned behind her eyes from Chloe’s words. She felt the same pain not talking to him. They had become so close, so fast and to cut each other off in such a manner hurt her as well.

  “Have a nice day, Caryn.” Chloe gave her a small smile and left her standing there alone in a busy grocery store.

  Chapter Seven

  Cabel had been hurt before in his career, but this was different. His nice guy attitude had gone away, and it probably would never come back. Leia and Chloe had helped him out of the hospital and into his Hummer and the house. Leia had been waiting on him hand and foot, all the while keeping up with her classes. Yes, he was still proud of her success with the virtual high school, but he wished to be alone.

  He remained in his bedroom for the past several days. His cell phone sat on his nightstand and continually dinged and buzzed, but he didn’t give it a second glance. Instead, he listened to his audible account. Books he bought but never had time to listen to. However, it didn’t matter. He really wasn’t listening to them. It was just noise to drown out his emotions.

  Chloe had told him Caryn came to the hospital and everything she had said to her, but Caryn never spoke to Cabel and still hadn’t to this day. His heart and head still hurt and only became worse with the realization his career was pretty much over.

  “Dad?” Leia knocked on his closed bedroom door. “Are you ready to go to your doctor appointment?”

  Cabel would rather do anything else than go to his appointment. “Don’t you have class?”

  “I already emailed my teacher along with my homework. Everything’s fine. I’ll be back in time for my next class,” she informed him.

  He racked his brain trying to think of any excuse not to go, but nothing came to mind.

  “Dad!” She knocked harder. “Come on. Please don’t make me call Mom.”

  “I’m coming,” he finally called out and reached for his crutches. It’s been ten days since his surgery, and he’s supposed to get his stitches out. He knew the doctor would make him stay on the crutches and start physical therapy.

  Opening the door, Leia glared at him. “I see you showered.”

  Cabel scoffed. “No. I sat in the tub with my leg in the air and used a cup to wash myself.”

  “Maybe you should have listened to Mom and let her come over here and help you,” Leia quipped back. “Do you need help down—”

  “No, I can get down the stairs on my own.” He cut her off with a firm tone.

  “Fine, but you don’t have to be a jerk to me. I’m here to help. Remember? I’m on Team Cabel, Dad.” She spun on her heels and stalked off down the hall and down the stairs.

  He made his way down the stairs with great difficulty but wouldn’t ask Leia for any assistance. His leg throbbed, but he refused to take his medication as the doctor prescribed. He only took them at night, and it had been the only time he had slept without dreaming of Caryn. Leia’s car was much too small for him to be comfortable in, so they had to take the Hummer to give him more room. He needed a step stool to get in.

  In silence, Leia drove him to the doctor’s office, and his leg almost felt like it was on fire. He slightly regretted not having a pain pill with him, but he had to power through. He had to get back out on the ice and go out on his own terms. He wouldn’t let some puck-dirty player do it for him.

  Leia let him out at the door and then parked the car. After signing in, he sat down and Leia made her way in. They sat quietly as Cabel glanced around the room and saw a few others in the waiting room.

  “You think that’s a good idea?”

  He glanced at her. “Huh?”

  “The topic. For my paper? Weren’t you listening?”

  He shook his head. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention. What did you say?”

  “I was telling you about my paper, but just like the last couple of weeks, you’re not paying attention,” Leia mumbled.

  “Don’t start,” he growled at her. The pain in his leg caused his vision to blur, but
he tried not to think about it.

  “Whatever,” she huffed and pulled out her phone.

  They sat in silence until the nurse called him back, and Leia followed him. The nurse took his vitals and asked the same routine questions. All of which he gave the same answer to as he does every time. He sat on the table covered in the paper wrap waiting on the doctor.

  As the doctor walked in, he knew it wasn’t going to be good news. He already told Cabel once he couldn’t go back to hockey, but he knew he could go back. He knew he had to go back.

  “Hello, Mr. Dirks.” The doctor greeted him with a handshake.

  “This is my daughter Leia.” Cabel introduced him.

  “I remember you from the hospital. Nice to see you again.”

  She gave him a kind smile. “Nice to see you.”

  “Well, looks like we received all your images back and…” He stopped and sighed. “The surgery went well, but like I said before you have a very long road ahead of you with physical therapy. On top of that the arthritis…it’s getting worse. Are you taking the medications? Maybe we should discuss the knee injections once the therapy is over.”

  “When will I get back on the ice?” Cabel ignored everything the doctor just told him. “What’s the date?” He knew what he had said in the hospital, but he didn’t care.

  The doctor looked down at the tablet in his hand. “I already emailed the team doctor and Oliver. I recommended you don’t go back. I suggested you retire.” He stared at Cabel for a beat. “You’ve had a great career, Mr. Dirks, but I don’t believe—in my professional opinion—you’ll play again.”

  Anger, hurt, pain all coursed through Cabel’s blood. It almost brought tears to his eyes. This was his end. This was it. And he hated it.

  “Let’s get the stitches out,” the doctor announced trying to keep a positive tone, but Cabel was biting the inside of his cheek so bad he felt that pain more than his knee.

  Leia had her hand on his shoulder as the doctor and the nurse removed the stitches, but right now all he wanted to do was leave. From the time he came home from the hospital until this point, he hadn’t left his house. Leia had been fielding calls from the team and management, including those who came to the house. He didn’t want to see anyone. He spent a lot of his time staring at his cell phone debating whether to call Caryn or at least text her. He wanted to talk to her but had no idea where to begin. He had pain from his leg, but not as much as what he felt in his heart.