Chapter three

Eli’s POV

My breath hitched in my throat and I had to grab the walls for support as I staggered to my office. My blood roared in my ears and my heart thudded in my chest. After years in therapy, I could swear that I was over the events from high school. What I didn't expect was seeing my bully laying in bed as my potential patient.

I couldn't bear it. I had seen his posters once and stopped watching hockey then. I hated him. I hated Adam Payne.

“Dr. Eli.” I could hear Dr. Broome’s footsteps quicken after me but I didn't stop walking until I got to my office.

I was about to shut the door when Broome pushed his way in. My usually spacious office was suddenly too hot and it felt like the walls were closing in. I walked towards the window and pulled the blinds. My chest heaved as I dropped on the couch. I grabbed a fistful of hair and groaned. My ribs burned like someone had wrapped a barbed wire around them.

Dr. Broome simply stood by the door with his arms crossed.

“What was that?” He finally asked, taking several steps towards me.

“You walked into a patient’s room, wished him dead and walked out. Do you have any idea who he is?”

“Adam Payne.” I spat his name out like poison.

“He could file a formal complaint.” Dr. Broome said. “Hell, he could sue the hospital.”

I chuckled dryly. “Do you remember when I had to go to therapy to regain my speech because I stopped talking?”

He nodded.

“That bastard caused it.”

“Language.” He cleared his throat. “So he teased you in…”

“Don’t,” I said, shooting up to my feet. “Don’t reduce it to teasing. That man made my life hell in high school. Do you know what it means forgetting you have a voice because a group of boys mocked you for a stutter.”

My lips quivered as the memories of me hiding myself in the toilet came at me quickly. I clenched my fist.

“I can't be his physiotherapist, Dr. Broome.”

He sighed and came to sit next to me. The silence between us weighed heavily.

“You’re in your late twenties now and so is he.”

“Crazy that he got to live this long.” I bit back.

“This isn't high school anymore.”

“Exactly, it's worse. He has a community and thousands of people praying and hoping for his recovery. I have no one. If I didn't wake up tomorrow, no one would notice.”

“I would.” He said quietly.

I kissed my teeth. “Don’t try to patronise me.”

“You have to take this case. You're the best physiotherapist in the state right now.”

“He’s rich and popular,” I sneered. “Other physiotherapists must be delighted to take on his case.”

Broome got on his feet, his eyes hard. “I did not stick out my neck for you two years ago for you to let your emotions affect your work ethics.”

I opened my mouth to speak and he raised his hand.

“Did you spend thousands on therapy for him to still control your life after all these years?”

“He’s not controlling my life.” I said through clenched teeth.

“Prove it.” He folded his arms. “You have ten minutes to return to Adam Payne or you clear out your office.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned around and left. The door clicked shut and a sob tore from my throat.

I stood still outside Room 329. I could walk away now. Clear out my office and hand in my badge. My pulse was pounding so hard and my mouth suddenly went dry. I didn't have to face Adam Payne after all these years. I remembered Broome. He had given me opportunities others could merely wish for and I couldn't let him down.

I drew in a shaky breath and twisted the door knob. The door swung open and I stepped in. Adam looked up from his bed. His mum sat beside him.

He looked horrible, like death warmed up. His face was pale and his hair was a mess. Dark patches circled his eyes and his lower lip was split.

“I remember you.” He said with a little smile.

“Can you please excuse us ma'am?” I turned to his mother. She glanced at him and he nodded.

“I never thought you would become a doctor, Eli.” His speech was slow.

“You never thought I would become anything.”

“I…” He started saying but I picked up the tab from his bedside and fixed my eyes on it.

“Eli, I never got a chance to…”

“Dr. Brooks to you.” I cut him short.

He nodded stiffly.

I dropped the board and stared at him. “I’m not here to be your friend. I am simply your physiotherapist and you do what I say.”

I looked him over.

“Unlike everyone else in this hospital, I'm not here to make you comfortable.”

I dropped the board and stared at him. “Roll up your sleeves.”

He raised a brow. “I injured my legs.”

“You have not always been the brightest.” I muttered as I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“I don't know what ESPN told you but your body has several joints and the longer you stay in bed the weaker everything gets.”

I opened the drawer and pulled out an elastic band. I threw it at him.

He picked it up and stared at it. “Am I going to be playing with these like a child?”

He chuckled and the sides of his eyes crinkled. I hated myself for noticing.

“We would start with shoulder flexion.” I raised my arm and he did the same.

“Straight.”

He did.

“Higher.”

He winced. “That hurts.”

“I didn't ask. Higher.”

He tried to lift it another inch and gritted his teeth in pain. I nodded.

“There.” I scribbled on the pad. “Other hand.”

After a few motor movements, he dropped his hands and sighed. “I’m tired.”

“You’re lying.”

Without thinking, I reached closer and adjusted his sleeves. The second my fingers brushed his hospital gown, my breath hitched in my throat. For a split second, I was running down the school hallway with tears running down my cheeks.

I pulled away quickly like I had touched a live wire. My pulse spiked. He noticed. My heart rate picked up too quickly.

“How long have you been doing this?” He asked.

The answer usually rolled off my tongue but not today.

“F-f-f-f-five years.” I stuttered. The pad slipped through my fingers and I stood there staring at him. I had not stuttered in the last eight years until Adam Payne showed up.