by Lacey Legend
“Get. Out.” A.J. set her jaw, eyes burned with hatred.
“But don’t you have to still do a physical?” Jared asked innocently, playfully, and turned on his boyish charm, the one that always worked.
“Get. Out,” she repeated, eyes blazing, jaw clenched.
Jared forced his body to stand, dipped his head respectfully and with his cockiest grin replied, “See you on Wednesday, same bat time, and same bat channel.”
He headed out, made a show of his struggle to open the door, and exited with a silly grin toward his new physical therapist.
Chapter2
“You really don’t like me, do you?” Jared asked as he started his second set of curls. His arms ached and he could feel the spasms in his biceps. He was really out of shape. But there was no way he’d show any sign of weakness to her.
“How I feel about you is irrelevant.” A.J. stayed true to her promise of cold, polite, professionalism.
“I just want to know why you don’t like me.” Jared’s curiosity threatened to overcome him. He usually only scored this level of animosity from the opposing team’s fans at an away game. It couldn’t be the preferential treatment. There had to be something more, a deeper vein of emotion that he couldn’t figure out and it truly irked him.
“Your muscles have atrophied,” A.J. observed. “You are straining to do two sets at this weight but you were regularly lifting more than this before your accident. If we are going to get you in shape for the season you are going to have to work harder on the muscles you didn’t injure.”
“It’s only my first day back in action,” Jared noted though he suspected she saw through the excuses.
“They shouldn’t have let you get lazy. Knowing how much work your leg and back would need they should have kept the rest of you in better shape.” A.J. frowned. “Did anybody say anything to you? Your doctors? Surgeons?”
“Not unless you count asking for my autograph.” Jared dropped the dumbbell. “I got whatever I wanted and basically lived in bed for weeks while they evaluated me, operated on me, and basically discussed my future without my input. This,” he gestured at the room, “was not even my idea.”
“Poor baby,” A.J. mocked him, again. “Poor rich athlete surrounded by so many people who care about his well-being and his money and making sure he has a chance to play his game again.”
“I wanted to stay in L.A.” he answered stubbornly. “I wanted to let them follow my recovery, let the media in, document it all so nobody can accuse me of cheating. Because you know that’s what they’ll say. If I make it back, they will say I cheated to get back.”
Surprisingly, this response affected her. He saw A.J.’s hard exterior falter for just a second. Then the crack filled with more anger. “Again. Pick it up and do it again. Give me another set.”
Now Jared felt the anger, too. She had no right to hate him. So what if they paid him millions to play a game? People made millions off of him, off his name and his face. Not that anybody could tell now with his unkempt beard and short, uneven hair. Jared didn’t remotely resemble the Jump Jackson that people came to love and cherish. He lifted the dumbbell and started another rep.
“Good.” A.J. complimented him when he finished smoothly and set the weights down. “That’s more like it. Use that. Wherever you went just now, use it.”
Jared regarded her for a moment. “Shouldn’t be too difficult.”
She ignored the angry undertones, maintaining her cool professionalism, as if he were just another patient. “Are you having any pain?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” Jared barked.
“Then hit the pool.” A.J. instructed. “We’re going to work that leg of yours.”
“Good.” Jared pushed off the bench, drew himself to full height and faced his therapist. “It’s about time we do what I’m here to do. If I needed a trainer, I would have hired one.”
“My job is to get you back in shape,” A.J. snapped. “And let’s face it, you have a VERY long way to go.”
“Just get me walking and I can do the rest,” Jared retorted.
“Right,” A.J. agreed and thrust his crutches at him. “Just get your ass to the pool.”
**
“What? No Speedo?” A.J. asked as she sized him up. For a second, Jared thought he caught a flicker of appreciation in her eye, but then it disappeared.
Jared regarded her simple one-piece and retorted, “What? No bikini?”
They silently stared each other down. Jared had to work to maintain eye contact and not allow his gaze to drift downward toward the swell of her breasts. He refused to give her that power over him, to let her know he found her attractive – or that he’d really like to see her in a bikini, or preferably, nothing at all.
Jared let A.J. help him into the pool, relished the feel of her skin on his. The warm water felt amazing on his leg, rolled around the scar tissue like a massage as they moved toward the center of the pool. A.J. helped guide him, gently maneuvering around his injured leg.
“Have you looked at it yet?” A.J. asked.
Surprised, Jared glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and answered simply. “Yes.”
Her voice changed but he couldn’t quite place the tone. “Most people don’t look at their scars.”
“They are a part of me now.”
Jared actually looked at his leg every day for the past month. He watched the transformation from inflamed surgical scar to swollen pinkish worm. It ended up much longer than he hoped but the doctors assured him it was healing as expected.
“That’s a good way of looking at it.” A.J. nodded approvingly. “Let’s just work on walking today. I’d like to see you off the crutches sooner than later. We can’t really start strengthening until you are weight bearing.”
“I’m good with that.” Jared longed to be rid of the crutches. They chafed his underarms and made his shoulders ache.
They worked in silence, walked slowly around the pool. She stayed close but gave him space. It felt strange at first, stiff, but got easier until he almost managed a smooth cadence. He sneaked glances at her, studying the way she carried herself, the shape of her eyes, the way her lips moved as she studied his leg.
A.J. focused on his movements, gauging every one of his shortcomings until Jared felt naked, stripped bare and on display in a way he’s never felt before. Walking around this pool with A.J. studying his every tic affected him far more than playing ball in front of millions. The silence made it worse, almost unbearable. But Jared couldn’t think of anything to say that wouldn’t be met with scorn.
When Jared didn’t think he could take it for another second, A.J. broke the silence. “I played basketball.”
He stopped and looked at her. “Power forward?”
“Point guard.” A.J. actually grinned, revealing even, white teeth. “I have mad ball-handling skills.”
Jared laughed in spite of himself. “Where’d you play?”
“Arizona.” A.J. started moving again, and spurred Jared to follow.
“Wait, whoa!” Jared remembered her all of a sudden. “You’re that Alexis Thompson.”
A.J.’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t really want to talk about it.”
“You set a record for three-pointers in the play-offs and then broke it the very next year.” Jared started rattling off her stats, the ones he could remember. “I watched you in the finals your senior year. You made me love women’s basketball. Wow. I thought for sure you’d go pro.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” A.J.’s tone changed, she turned stiffly toward him. “I think we should call it a day.”
“Okay.” Jared maneuvered to the edge of the pool and let her help him out. The cool air sent gooseflesh over his skin but she didn’t seem affected.
“I’ll see you Friday.” A.J. handed him his crutches and left him gaping after her.
Jared maneuvered his way to the locker room and changed back into street clothes. According to the clock on the wall he still
had thirty minutes of PT left. Jared texted Rick that he finished early and headed back to the lobby. He wondered what happened to A.J. and if anybody here knew her real identity.
“I’m parked out front, Jay.” Rick ran through the doors, slightly breathless.
“You didn’t have to run, Rick. I’m not in a hurry.” Jared smiled at his driver. “But thanks.”
“It’s what I’m paid for.” Rick held the door open for him and helped him into the SUV.
“Hey, Rick?” Jared asked casually.
“Yes? Did you have another stop you want to make?” Rick looked at him in the rearview mirror.
“No. I was just wondering if you ever watch basketball.” Jared watched out the window. “Like, women’s basketball?”
“Oh, no, not really.” Rick answered. “I am not really a sports fan, to be honest.”
And the world make sense again, Jared thought, no wonder Derek hired this guy to drive him. “No big deal, Rick. Just wondering.”
“Are you sure there isn’t anywhere else you’d like to go, Jay?” Rick asked expectantly.
“Nope, just take me home, please.” Jared put his head back on the seat. “I’m really tired from PT today.”
“That’s why you ended early?” Rick’s eyes flicked toward the review again.
“Something like that,” Jared mumbled.
“My daughter went to PT at Amherst last year.” Rick said. “She was exhausted after every session that first few weeks.”
“I can understand why.” Jared didn’t know what to say.
Rick must have picked up on his discomfort, “Ally’s okay now, she got hurt in one of those fitness races, some mud challenge thing. Anyway, Ally really liked the gal she worked with but she was real tired after their sessions.”
Jared’s ears perked up. “Who did your daughter work with?”
“Hmmm, what was her name? She understood my girl. They talked sports cuz I guess she was an athlete too.”
“Was it A.J.?” Jared asked, perhaps with a little too much enthusiasm.
“Yeah! That’s it.” Rick nodded his head. “She got my Ally running again. I think she’s even invited to the wedding.”
“You don’t say.” Jared couldn’t believe his luck.
“Yeah, Ally says she’s in better shape now than before and she says it’s all because of that therapist.” Rick bobbed his head a few more times. “Hopefully, you have the same luck.”
“I don’t think A.J. likes me quite as much. But I do hope she can get me back in shape.”
Rick looked at him in the mirror. “She’s good at what she does, Jay. I’m sure she’ll have you back to playing football in no time.”
Jared didn’t even try to hide his surprise, “I thought you didn’t watch sports, Rick?”
“Did I say that?” Rick smiled mischievously. “I may watch a little football from time to time.”
“Indeed.” Jared waited for his driver to ask a favor. He was used to it. Happened all the time.
“Sorry I lied to you,” Rick apologized, “I didn’t want you feeling self-conscious or worried that I would give you up to the press or something. I won’t, I promise you. I really am doing this just to make some extra money for my Ally’s wedding. She’s my baby girl, Jay.” Rick emphasized the last part with emotion that could not possibly be faked.
Jared relaxed in his seat. “It’s fine, Rick.”
“Incidentally, if you need somebody to watch films with, I’m more than happy to do that part for free.” Rick smirked and looked back at Jared briefly.
“Actually,” Jared arrived at an interesting idea, “I would really like that. I’m used to being surrounded by people and my house is so quiet. As you know my family can’t really visit right now, media following them around and all.” He trailed off, hoping Rick picked up on things himself.
“My family gets together on Sundays to grill out,” Rick began, “why don’t you join us?”
Jared smiled, “Really? It wouldn’t be too much of an imposition?”
“Of course not! My family would love to have you over,” Rick assured him. “My wife likes a full house and with our youngest about to be married off, she’s starting to feel the empty nest thing.”
“If you’re sure it will be okay,” Jared answered coyly. He almost felt bad for manipulating his way into Rick’s home and life. If he didn’t mean any harm, it couldn’t be that bad, could it?
“Absolutely.” Rick pulled into Jared’s driveway and turned to face him. “I’ll let my wife know to expect another person, but I will let you surprise her. She actually is a big fan of yours.”
Jared panicked for a moment but Rick chuckled. “She’ll be discreet, Jay. They all will. We will keep your secret.”
“I trust you, Rick.” Jared confirmed, as much for himself as for Rick. “See you on Friday?”
“Do you need help?” Rick moved to get out but Jared waved him off.
“I’ve got this, Rick.” Jared opened the door and slid out. “I have to learn to do some of this on my own, right?”
“Fair enough,” Rick clearly approved. “I’ll see you on Friday.”
**
“I hope you like burgers and brats.”
Rick’s wife, Marie, looked much as Jared expected. A modern-era June Cleaver with an edge, Marie was clearly born to be a force of nature and Rick remained smitten with her after years of marriage. She rocked a stylish but age appropriate hair style and opted for simple jeans and, not surprisingly, an L.A. Panthers tee. She didn’t try to hide her age with makeup or hair dye but youthfulness twinkled in her eyes, much like her husband’s.
“Love them,” Jared smiled warmly. “Thank you for having me over.”
“Of course! We can’t have you holed up in that house by yourself for the rest of your rehab!” Marie beamed. “Just consider us your family away from home. We’ve got you covered if you need anything at all.”
“Thanks, really,” Jared meant it.
He was practically climbing the walls yesterday and the thought of spending the next several months leaving the house only for rehab nearly drove him mad. Jared realized that he needed to have people around and that meant making new friends. Since A.J. seemed off limits for the time being, Rick and his family were the only alternatives and Jared felt they were safe.
“Well, come on in and meet the whole family,” Marie opened the door to give Jared enough room to navigate through the doorway. Rick followed him in and gave his wife a chaste kiss. Marie led the way to the kitchen and began introductions. “The tall one picking meatballs out of the crock pot is our oldest son, Paul. His wife, Monica, is somewhere around here. She’s the tiny one with the head of hair.” Marie walked around the table to playfully smack her eldest son on the rear. “The two playing cards are Micah and Max, our twins. Don’t let them try to confuse you, Micah has the shorter hair and his husband is milling around here somewhere, the dashing Puerto Rican fellow, you can’t miss him.” Marie continued introducing as she worked, picking and moving dishes in a flurry as her children offered Jared nervous smiles or waves. “Max’s wife is nursing our newest addition, Ashlynn, so you’ll meet her soon enough. Let’s see, Andie is our oldest daughter but she must be out back supervising her husband, Colin, on the grill. Ally and her fiancé are late, as usual, so you’ll have to meet them later.”
“Everybody, this is Jay,” Rick cut in. “Stop overwhelming the boy, Marie. He’ll get to know everybody soon enough.”
“Yeah, Mom, give the all-star a break.” Max chimed in from the end of the table, “it’s not like he memorizes playbooks for a living.” The sandy-haired guy looked about Jared’s age.
“Now, don’t go talking like that, Max. We are keeping Jay’s secret in this house and if I hear anybody does otherwise there will be hell to pay.”
Jared got a glimpse into Rick’s other side as his kids nodded their assent.
“It’s okay, Rick. We can talk football,” Jared blurted. He realized how much he misse
d the game and even if he couldn’t play there were other things he could do.
“Great!” Paul’s eyes lit up and he handed Jared a beer. “I’ve been watching your films and I think there are a few tweaks you can make to pick up an extra step on Glover when you play Dallas next season. It should make all the difference.”
“Excuse my brother,” Micah chimed in. “He’s a sports analyst and he’s been dying to share his theory with you.”
“Hey, anything that will help me is worth hearing.” Jared took a swig of cold beer. “And, right now, the only thing I can do to prepare is watch videos and practice theory.”
