“After a shit ton of PT, I only deal with occasional soreness or scar tissue issues, primarily with weather changes. I got lucky.”
“For the most part. Because I’m a doc, I’m gonna ask–headwise–you hanging in there?”
“Yeah, I check in regularly with my therapist, Brett.”
“Brett from the next town over?”
“That’d be him.”
“He’s a really great guy.”
“Sure is. He’s kept me from losing it a time or two. Thanks for caring enough to check in though. Most people just avoid any discussion of it the minute they hear I served overseas.”
I nod in understanding. I’ve seen that first-hand.
“Always here if you can’t get ahold of him.”
“Thanks. That’s appreciated.”
Brynleigh pats Trystan’s knee.
“Time to get the wife home. We’ll see you at the lake Sunday?”
“Yes. Thanks for all of this. I will plan on Sunday. Snag my number from Brynleigh. She has it from the whole getting-in-touch-with-Colin thing.”
“Oh, and you know that even though she’s not happy you disappeared for a couple of months, that a lot of her beef has more to do with her past than you, right?” Brynleigh adds as she’s opening her truck door, shooing Trystan to his side.
“Yeah, I figured somebody did a number on her. That’s an absolute shame. I barely know her and can already see she’s someone that I have to have around. I like her.”
“Then don’t give up. Show up. Insert yourself until you’re blue in the face, and I’m pretty positive she’ll start to cave.”
“Planned on it.”
“I kind of hoped so.”
“Are there any other gentlemen callers I’m going to need to run off?”
“Not that count.”
“Ouch.”
“No, really, that dating app has not done her any favors other than get her back in the dating scene, which I guess is kind of good. Then at least you know you aren’t the guy after the guy who did her wrong.”
“There’s that.”
I wave at them before stepping up into my truck. It was nice being out with people that weren’t in scrubs or smelled of antiseptic. No shop talk. Along the drive home, I realize I haven’t been doing a whole lot of living. That’s going to change.
Chapter 5
Holly
Ah… There’s nothing better than a freshly washed and pampered face. Stuffing my things back in their homes, I flip off the light and crawl under my covers. I left the window cracked so that I can listen to the waves outside.
Buzz.
Brynleigh: He’s moving into Trystan’s old place in two weeks.
Me: Hmmm. Why doesn’t that surprise me?
