More than nice.
It’d made him want to believe he could have more in his life.
More with her.
“Hey, where did you go?” Hallie plopped down beside him on the couch and took his hand in hers. “Everything okay?”
He met her beautiful eyes and couldn’t bring himself to voice those dismal thoughts. What happened when she didn’t have to stay and help anymore? What happened if he had to find a job he hated and his frustration bled into their relationship? Would she stick around while he found himself again?
Jacob shook his head and turned his attention to the television. “Nothing. Just thinking. I’m good.”
She squeezed his hand and let out a sigh. “You know you can talk to me, right? I’m here for you.”
It was all he could do to squeeze her hand back.
“So, when’s the big day?” she asked again.
“Next week.” The time had flown by. Two days ago, he’d gone in to get additional x-rays to make sure they were ready for next steps but unfortunately, Dr. Drake wasn’t available for a consultation and Kai was trying to push another physical therapist on him. One who was renowned in the rodeo world but his practice was located on the east coast.
Jacob wasn’t going to get his hopes up. If he didn’t allow himself to believe that everything would work out, then he wouldn’t get his heart broken when everything inevitably fell apart afterward.
Hallie tucked herself into his side. “I don’t know how long you want me to stay after the cast comes off.”
He stiffened then prayed she didn’t notice. She was so attuned to him that there was little chance she wouldn’t sense something was bothering him.
She was quiet. Too quiet. What did she expect him to say? He couldn’t exactly ask her to stay, right? Not without a good excuse. Wouldn’t that make him look clingy? Or weak? But if he told her to go ahead and move back home because he didn’t need her, that would be a lie and she might feel like he was pushing her away.
Jacob wasn’t good at this relationship thing. He didn’t know what to do in situations like this one. His breathing grew ragged and spots swirled in his eyes. Was he having a heart attack?
“Anyway,” Hallie hedged, “the more I thought about it, the more I figured it would be best if I stayed until the doctor cleared you for practicing.”
If at any point in his life Jacob was rammed by two separate vehicles from either side, he was certain it would resemble the way he felt right now. Relief washed over him that he didn’t have to ask Hallie to stay. He didn’t have to make any excuses about his insecurities in this relationship. And she wouldn’t have to notice just how unpracticed he was.
While at the same time, he buckled under the anxiety that one word presented.
Practicing.
They’d both steered clear of his future in the rodeo. He’d gotten better about avoiding anything on the television related to the sport. When she asked if he wanted to get tickets, he shut her down with one look.
And yet, here she was acting like he’d be able to just swing his leg over the side of the saddle and return to what he was most passionate about.
“Would that be okay?” Her voice was timid and she pulled back to look him in the eye. “You’re going to be working harder than ever with your physical therapist and after long days of that, I’m sure you’re not going to be up for doing anything for yourself.”
He peered down at her, in awe. How had he managed to get so lucky? “You’d do that? Stay? Just to help me out?”
She released an adorable giggle. “Jacob, I offered to help when you were being a pain in the you know what. If I can deal with your surly mood, then I think I can handle the Jacob who’s driven and has something to fight for.”
His small smile faltered.
“What?” Hallie immediately noticed his mood shift and she placed a hand to his cheek. “Your doctor said?—”
Jacob pulled her hand from his cheek. “My doctor said I need to be prepared for any outcome. And while he was optimistic that I’d be able to return to the rodeo, he said I needed to speak to the physical therapist about what it would look like moving forward. It could take years of work to get back to where I was.”
She frowned. “Or it could take months. You don’t know until you set your mind to it.”
He closed his eyes and prayed for patience. She was just trying to help. This was the touchiest subject there was, and he didn’t want to scare her off just because he was in a mood. When he opened his eyes, he found her concerned gaze locked on him. “Just… can we not discuss any of this until I speak with that physical therapist?”
“He’s the best in the country, right? That’s what Kai told you?”
