Chapter 24 TYLER
Something was wrong with me. I just didn’t know what it was. It became more evident the moment I felt Harper’s finger trail down my chest. Emotions coursed through me, my body responding on instinct. It was when I knew I needed to start setting some fucking boundaries.
It’s been a year and a half since I last had sex, so of course my body would react to a girl’s touch—not just Harper’s. But still, it was more reason to start being aware that my therapist was, in fact, a girl, and things were starting to get a little too comfortable between us. It felt wrong for so many reasons, yet I couldn’t bring myself to stay away—especially after seeing how vulnerable she’d been last night, drunk and in that dress that showed more leg than should’ve been legal.
But right now—holy fucking airball.
My brain short-circuited somewhere between “sorry, I forgot” and holy hell, she’s naked.
Water dripped from her hair down her shoulders, tracing paths that made those legs from yesterday look like chopsticks compared to the absolute cinema standing in front of me. I knew I should look away—but my eyes betrayed me. They just… refused to listen.
She gasped, stumbling back like I was the intruder. Which, technically, I was.
“Tyler!” she shrieked, diving behind the door—too late to undo what my brain had already recorded in high definition.
“I—uh—forgot to bring you a towel,” I managed, holding the said towel out like it was some kind of peace offering. “You’re welcome?”
She snatched it from hand. “Get out!”
“Sorry,” was all I managed before turning and walking out, blinking in awe, the mental image of her still stuck in my head.
I descended the stairs like a man entranced, the thought of her completely naked in my room tempting me to turn around and do things my mom would definitely not be proud of.
“I heard Harper scream. Did something happen?” Mom’s voice cut in—thankfully, a distraction.
“I think she scalded herself in the shower or something,” I lied. “She’s fine, though.”
She arched a brow, her gaze scrutinizing me.
I shrugged. “What? I’m guessing.”
“Hmm.” She resumed cutting the vegetables in front of her, and I figured I’d finally get a moment to think, settling onto one of the stools by the kitchen counter—boy, was I wrong.
“So, is something going on between you two?”
I choked on my saliva, coughing in surprise at the sudden question—especially when that mental image flashed through my mind again.
“She’s my fucking therapist, ma.”
She paused, pointing the knife at me. “Language. And besides, no one said you couldn’t date your stand-in therapist who also happens to be your classmate.”
“You know, other mom’s wouldn’t even want their kids dating until after college.”
“Yeah, but I’m not other moms. I’m your mom. And I’d rather be involved in my son’s life than act too strict that you end up sneaking behind my back doing inappropriate things.”
“Too late for that, ma,” I muttered.
She looked up at me, eyes lowering into slits. “What did you say?”
I got up in an instant, heading for the coffee machine. “I better go give Harper her coffee. Bet she’s done showering by now.” And probably has some clothes on this time.
“Aww, look at you—getting back to your old self. Not that grumpy, close-to-depression boy I was beginning to get used to.”
“I have nothing to say to you, ma. But I assure you, I still feel far from my old self. Whatever’s wrong with me right now is just temporary.”
“And so is that cast.”
“Hopefully. Because I’d hate for you to see the version of me that realizes he’s lost hockey for good.”
She went quiet, but I was already walking out of the kitchen—my mood fallen now, thanks to my mother.
By the time I reached my room door I didn’t so much as care if Harper was still undressed; all I wanted was to get right down to the damn session. I had a hundred and twenty days to go and hadn’t so much as held a hockey stick, much less stepped into a gym for training. I was falling far behind.
I knocked this time, waiting for Harper’s permission before entering. She was dressed in a hoodie that would have been regular size on me but looked oversized on her, with what should have been boxers looking like shorts on her. Yet, she somehow managed to look insanely sexy.
“You’re staring.”
I blinked, snapping out of it. I needed things not to get more awkward than they already were.
“Was thinking about something else.”
She didn’t seem convinced, adjusting her legs up to rest her elbows on her knees. “Oh. About what?”
“The big game.” I reached her and gave her the cup of coffee, then moved to my study table to grab a chair to sit. “Is there anyway we can speed this up? Can I at least start doing light workouts?”
“Tyler—”
“You owe me one, you know that. Just put in a good word to your mom so she can give me the go-ahead.”
“But it doesn’t work that way.”
“Yeah, I know,” I sighed. I tried lifting my cast arm, checking to see if it still hurt, but the sharp pain that shot up my shoulder was a clear indication I still very much needed these sessions. I fumed.
Before I could compose myself, I rose to my feet and tossed the chair aside in a fit of rage.
“How long has it been now? Twenty-eight days? Thirty? How long does it take for a fucking rotator cuff tear to heal?” She opened her mouth to speak, but I sneered at her. “Don’t you dare answer the question if you’re only going to spew bullshit figures at me.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line; her body went still at my command. Something in me died. I’d expected her to counter me and say something—anything to give me hope—but her silence was killing me.
I ran a hand through my hair, bowing low, veins bulging on my neck, trying to restrain my anger.
“I-I know it’s seems like you’re not getting any progress, but trust me—you’ll see the results soon.” I remained bent over, refusing to meet her eyes. She mistook my silence as a go-ahead to continue. “You were having sessions with my mom before I took over. I’m guessing you’ll be healed and allowed to play just before the big game.”
I lost my shit then.
I yanked her up from the bed and slammed her against the wall with one arm, pinning her in place. “What the hell did you just say?”