THE POUNDING OF THE GROUND under my feet felt good. It cleared my mind and that was what I needed. After my first therapy session with Malcolm this morning, I was more confused than ever. Yesterday, I’d spent almost two hours going over all of his medical information and coming up with a treatment plan.
I came to a stop and leaned over, placing my hands on my knees as I sucked in deep breaths. I could smell the spring flowers in the crisp cool air. Something about the air out here made me feel alive. Closing my eyes, all I could see was how scared Malcolm’s eyes were this morning.
“Fuck!” I shouted.
The compound fracture had damaged some of Malcolm’s nerves. He’d be able to fully walk again, I just wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to get clearance to get behind the wheel and race. Not one single person had bothered to tell him how extensive the nerve damage was.
Then there was his knee. That was a whole other beast of its own.
Standing, I drew my arms up over my head and inhaled deeply. Right now I needed to get him walking and build up the strength in his leg. The whole time we were together this morning he didn’t utter a single word to me. I cut the session short only because I couldn’t take the silence anymore.
I knew my comment about finding another therapist pissed him off. I saw it in his eyes. I can do this. I can help him. I just need to pray and ask God to help me with these confusing thoughts I’m having. After looking over all the medical information, this job no longer was about the money. It was about helping Malcolm and I knew I could.
My cell phone went off as I pulled it out of my shorts.
Annie: Waco? What in the fuck are you doing in Waco?
I rolled my eyes as I let out a chuckle.
Me: It’s paying me really well. Plus I’m staying at a damn mansion and my patient happens to be utterly handsome.
Annie: Have you fucked him yet?
My smiled dropped. What in the hell? Does everyone think I’m a slut?
Me: Just three times last night and twice this morning.
Not a minute later my phone rang.
“Hey.”
“Are you kidding me? Tell me you’re kidding because I know you and you wouldn’t mix business with pleasure.”
With a giggle, I replied, “Yes, I’m kidding. Gesh. Do you really think I’m that much of a slut?”
Starting to walk, I could see Malcolm’s house. I swear his driveway was at least a mile long.
“Okay, well tell me why you’re there. Is this guy like a germaphobe who won’t leave his house?”
I nibbled on my lip nervously. “No. I kind of knew him before he had his accident.”
“Oh . . . this just got very interesting. Who is he?”
I lifted my hand up and waved her off like she could see me. “No one you would know.”
“Try me. You’d be surprised.”
“Malcolm Wallace.”
Silence.
Pulling my phone out, I checked to make sure the call hadn’t dropped. “Annie?”
“Malcolm Fucking Wallace? You’re staying at Malcolm Wallace the NASCAR driver’s house? In Crawford? His ranch?”
I pulled my head back in surprise. “Since when did you become a NASCAR fan?”
She let out a roar of laughter. “Since I saw him at one of my father’s benefit dinners. Holy fucking cow bells. Paislie, that guy is hot as hell. Where did you meet him and why didn’t you tell me?”
“Um . . . well, I met him at a race in Vegas. Trey had VIP tickets and I literally ran right into Malcolm. We got to talking and I don’t know, we hit it off. Then he sent me a ticket to the Texas race and I kind of had dinner with him one night and was there when he had his accident.”
More silence.
“You there?” I asked.
“I. Hate. You.”
Pressing my lips together, I shook my head as I tried not to start laughing. I knew she would be pissed I kept her in the dark about Malcolm.
“Do you know why I hate you, Paislie?”
“No, but I’m sure you’re fixin’ to tell me.”
“First, you fuck Trey Rogers for months. Then while with Trey Rogers you met the best looking guy on the planet, then go out with said hot guy, and now you’re probably massaging his upper thigh while you contemplate whether or not you’re going to accidently graze his dick. I hate you.”
And that was it. I lost it laughing. “When was the last time you had sex, Annie? I think you’re overdue! You could always call Trey. I hear he likes to keep one on the side from his girlfriend of six years.”
Annie made a disgusted sound. “Fuck him. He was an asshole. I feel sorry for that girl, but if she’s stupid enough not to see, then that is her problem.”
As I got closer to the house, I saw Sophie outside riding her bike. She still had the training wheels on it and I could hear her yelling out from way down the driveway. Man, sound travels out here in the country.
“Agreed. Anyway, Malcolm feels more comfortable here. So . . . here I am.”
“Huh. So do you like him?”
Now it was time for me to be quiet.
“Paislie? Oh my . . . you do, don’t you? Hold on. I need to shut my office door.”
I slowed my walking down a bit. I could see Sophie jumping as high as she could to get my attention.