Page 158 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

She tilts her head, studying me for a second.

"Did you drive yourself today?"

"I did."

Her smile widens. "I'd call that progress."

"So would Colby."

She laughs. "I'm sure he’ll miss being your chauffeur."

"I'm not convinced he ever liked the job."

"Oh, I don't know." She reaches for the visitor log. "He seemed rather protective."

"He'll deny that."

"They usually do."

Still smiling, I head toward the therapy gym.

***

Annette is reviewing a chart when I step inside.

She glances up and immediately notices the keys dangling from my hand.

"You drove."

"I did."

A genuine smile spreads across her face. "How did it feel?"

I shrug, trying to sound more casual than I feel. "Normal."

"Jamie..."

She folds her arms. "Normal is a wonderful answer."

I hadn't thought about it that way. She closes the chart. "I'm proud of you."

The words catch me off guard. "For driving?"

"For trusting your shoulder enough to get behind the wheel again."

She studies me for a moment. "And for trusting yourself."

I look down at the truck keys in my hand. Funny, yesterday they had simply felt like keys.

Today they feel like proof.

"Still keeping the trips short?" she asks.

"Doctor's orders."

"Good."

She nods toward the treatment mat. "Come on."