Waverly
TWO WEEKS LATER, I noticed Gio was back on my schedule. It was for a ho visit the next day, but I was still certain it was too soon. I pulled up his most recent x-ray, surprised to see he’d actually gone in yesterday to have new ones taken, and I frowned. Way too early to do anything significant.
And I had a feeling he knew that. So why did he want to co to him now?
There were no additional notes from Dr. Kraft, so I sat back in my chair and pondered all the reasons the drop-dead gorgeous Gio Rossi might need to co to him, and pay my exorbitant rate.
Outside of anything professional, I could co up with nothing.
A knock on my open door drew my attention to my colleague, Kelsey.
I smiled. "Hey, Kels."
"Hey, your ten o’clock is here. I offered to be the ssenger since I’m heading into a consult."
"Oh, great, thanks. Um, do you have a minute to give a second set of eyes, actually?"
"Sure."
I showed her Gio’s x-ray.
"Right there," I said, pointing to the x-ray. "See this area? There was a full-thickness tear of the subscapularis, and I’m concerned it’s not healing enough."
Kelsey examined the x-ray for a few monts and frowned.
"Uh, oh. Why the face? It’s bad, right?"
She shook her head. "No, it’s not the injury. I an, you’re right, this was a bad tear, but according to this x-ray it’s healing, but should still be rested. Heavily. Why the concern about the speed of recovery? Insurance issues?"
"No, insurance is fine." I let out a heavy sigh. "Never mind. I’m over thinking this case and part of just wants it to be over and done with."
"Are you having trouble with your patient?" Kelsey asked.
"Yes. No. Yes, I don’t know," I replied.
"Is he making you feel unsafe?" Kelsey asked, her tone darkening.
I waved my hands. "Oh, no. Nothing like that. You know what? Never mind. I think I’m just overly tired. I’m sorry to waste your ti."
"You don’t have to apologize for anything. I’m here any ti you need ."
"Thank you," I said, grateful she didn’t press any further. I was still trying to figure out how I felt about Gio and would hate to drag Kelsey through my work/life imbalance drama. I was probably already bound to face the ethics committee, and I’d hate for her to have to testify against .
"The x-ray looks good, Waverly. I an, this guy’s shoulder is jacked, but I don’t see any red flags for now but hit up any ti you need another set of eyes. And rember," she said, lowering her eyes. "You can talk to about anything."
"Thanks, Kels. I appreciate that."
I headed into my next appointnt, trying my best to put Gio out of my mind.
The next day, I pulled up to the sprawling house in Felida, and after grabbing my bag and walking up to the porch, I rang the doorbell. Gio ntioned he was staying with friends while he rehabbed, and my initial thought was, ’nice friends.’
The ho was in a custom neighborhood with giant lots, no less than three-car garages and beautiful landscaping that showed every single person took pride in where they lived. They also all appeared to have money.
The door opened, pulling out of my thoughts and a beautiful blonde woman appeared before like a vision. "You must be Waverly," she said with the soft lilt of a British accent.
"Ah, yes, hi. I am."
"I’m Maisie. Co on in."
I stepped inside and followed her through the house toward the back. I nearly tripped over my feet by the clear opulence of the ho, although, the décor was absolutely warm and inviting. It was like soone had taken all of my favorite things and put them in this giant house.
I was in awe.
"Jesus!" I heard Gio snap.
"Calm your tits," another deep voice snapped back.
"Oh, they’re at it again," Maisie said with a sigh, calling out. "Gentlen, we have a visitor. Best behavior, please."
We walked into the great room and a tall man with long, dark hair pulled back into a ponytail at the base of his skull was picking up glass that was shattered next to the chair Gio was currently sitting in, his leg still in a cast, raised on an ottoman in front of him.
"Waverly, this is my husband, Ha...uh, Connor."
Connor smiled, setting the glass on the table beside him and reaching his hand out to . "It’s nice to et you."
I shook it and nodded. "It’s nice to et you, too."
"Thank you for making the house call." Connor nodded toward Gio. "He’s dealin’ with a lot of pain right now, so gettin’ him in a car would have been tough."
I smiled. "Ergo, he would have given you hell if you tried."
Maisie let out a quiet squeak as she tried to stop a laugh.
Connor, on the other hand, didn’t cover his chuckle. "You’ve gotten to know him, I see."
"I’m sittin’ right here!" Gio growled.
"I’ll just finish cleaning up this glass," Connor said. "Then we’ll leave you to do your thing."
"Can I get you sothing to drink, Waverly?" Maisie asked. "Water, tea, coffee?"
"Water would be great, Maisie, thank you."
"All done," Connor said just as Maisie set a glass of water on the coffee table.
"Just give us a holler if you need anything," she said, and they left us alone.
Gio was focused on the TV which was on but the sound was muted.
I sat in front of him and smiled. "Lots of pain, huh?"
"Yeah, it’s been a shitty couple of weeks."
"How about we see if we can change that?"
He t my eyes. "We still keepin’ this professional?"
"Yeah, Gio, we’re keeping this professional."
He let out a quiet huff and I rolled my eyes.
"Let’s see your range of motion on that shoulder."
We started to do so work and despite his grunts, groans, and general cussing, he had improved.
"How’s the pain when I do this?" I asked, stretching his arm over his head a little.
"It’s fine."
"Can I get more than two words, please?"
"It’s all good, Fizzy. It doesn’t hurt when you do that."
"Okay, so is it your leg that’s giving you the most pain, then?"
"Ah, yeah." He shifted slightly, glancing at the TV again.
"What is so interesting on that screen?"
"Nothing, it’s the news."
"Do you want to turn it off?" I asked.
"It’s fine."
I frowned. "Okay, we are just going to keep doing so light stretches, okay?"
"Yeah. Sounds good."
"Hey," I said, and he t my eyes again. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." He sighed. "It’s just been a rough couple of weeks and I’m being shitty. Sorry."
I smiled gently. "I’m sorry you’ve had a rough couple of weeks. I’m going to see if I can’t make you feel a bit better right now though, sound good?"
He finally, finally gave a small smile. "Yeah, Fizzy, that sounds good."
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