Page 108 of Reckless Skye

‘Are there any other precautions we should be taking?’ Skye asked.

‘Any means to reduce inflammation will help. As I mentioned earlier: anti-inflammatory diet, no alcohol, no activities that would exacerbate his injury. There’s a lot you can do day to day to help too. After the first forty-eight hours, hot compresses might alleviate some swelling and temporarily relieve pain. Orthopaedic massage therapy will help with sciatica. The hard part is going to be finding what works for you in addition to the demands of your mobile lifestyle.’

‘We can stop travelling—’

‘The hell we will,’ TJ interjected for the first time.

Skye geared up to argue, but before she could say anything, Dr Harris smoothly interjected. ‘You’ll find your balance. But you’ve just got to keep at it.’ He passed Skye a packet that had been on the counter. ‘This is everything you need to know about the next few days. Once the rodeo season is over, I’d strongly recommend enrolling in more extensive treatment options.’ He held out one hand. ‘Good luck.’

TJ returned the handshake, asked, ‘Can we go now?’

The doctor looked down at his watch. ‘Give it five more minutes in the lobby just to be sure you don’t have any immediate side effects. Otherwise, you’re good to go. No driving for twelve hours.’

‘Thank you,’ TJ managed.

‘You’re welcome. If there’s one last thing I can stress to you, it’s this: try to remember that the steroid doesn’t heal the injury; it’s only going to reduce inflammation and help with pain management. Healing is going to come down to how invested you are in rebuilding your life, one day – sometimes, one hour – at a time.’

The moment the doctor left the room, Skye moved closer. ‘Let’s get you dressed.’

TJ scowled at her. ‘I’m not an infant,’ he stated.

There was the slightest spread of relief soothing over his sciatica already, but oddly, that spreading numbness was as much a physical comfort as it was a mental torment.

TJ had accepted his fate. He had fought it for a long time, but slowly, the pain had worn him down and made him comfortable with, even ready for, the end. He’d lived with the knowledge that he’d leave for so long that he actually didn’t know how to digest the possibility that, maybe, things could actually get better.

‘Well, you might not be an infant, but you sure as shit are acting like a big baby.’ She walked to the counter and grabbed his clothes, which the nurse had carried in earlier.

‘For Christ’s sake, I’ve got it!’

Skye jumped. For just one split second, he saw the fear streak through her eyes. She inhaled a quick, shaky breath.

Shame swamped him instantly. ‘Skye—’

She dumped the clothes on the X-ray table. ‘I’ll wait outside,’ she said coolly.

Rather than chase after her in the gaping hospital gown, TJ slowly changed, moving with habitual precision. But even though it still hurt to move, to bend and pull and yank, even though those twitching muscles felt filled with needles, TJ was very aware of the fact that he could articulate his right knee without having to use his hands to support it.

Out in the hall, Skye was leaning against the wall, waiting for him. When he closed the door behind him, she pushed up from her tilt. She didn’t say anything, only watched him warily.

TJ went straight up to her, and even though he yearned to take her into his arms, he didn’t. He said, ‘I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be ungrateful, Skye.’ He tried to explain. ‘When you’re in chronic pain, other people’s optimism – their hope – hurts too much.’ Although he didn’t say it, it was so much worse with her, because Skye made him want to try again. When she fought with him – or maybe, for him – it terrified him, because there was a TJ who would choose a life of pain over the option of never seeing her again.

Skye sighed, but she didn’t move away. ‘I always assumed I knew …’

Confused, TJ asked, ‘What do you mean?’

‘I thought I knew how much pain you must have been in, how hard it was for you. But after seeing those needles in you, I realized that knowing someone’s in pain doesn’t necessarily mean that you can conceptualize what it’s like to live with it. I knew that you were hurt and scared and confused, but I don’t think I truly appreciated until today how consuming that must have been.’ She met his eyes. ‘And I think you were right. I don’t think I would have known how to handle it back then.’

‘No. But I knew that you’d try.’

‘Yeah,’ she agreed. ‘I would have.’ She extended her hand, and when TJ just frowned down at it, she explained, ‘We never actually shook on the truce.’

TJ returned the shake. ‘Truce.’

By unspoken agreement, they started for the doors side by side. It was only when they were in the elevator together that Skye added, ‘But don’t think this means you’re getting out of my ultimatum.’

TJ just growled.

Chapter 33