November Rain by Daisy Harris Page B

noticed Joe’s frown, because he looked at his lap where he was twining his fingers together. “I like spending time with you, but I can’t move in. My brother and his wife—”
    â€œDid you see me asking you to move in?” Joe snapped, frustrated and leg aching. “We’ve only been together a few weeks. Sleep wherever you want.”
    Elias’s eyes clouded with hurt.
    Fuck, maybe Joe shouldn’t have said that.
    â€œJoe Klamath?” The nurse stood expectantly by the door, clipboard in hand.
    â€œYeah. That’s me.” Joe shuffled forward. He wished Elias didn’t look so upset, but there was nothing Joe could do about it. “I’m coming.”
    â€œAnd your partner?”
    â€œI’m…” Elias stood from his seat.
    â€œYou may as well come.” Joe swung on his crutches at top speed. The faster they got this over with, the faster Joe could get out of there. Get back to his place for a quickie to smooth things over.
    Elias followed. Once they scrabbled into the office the nurse pointed out, he took a seat in the corner.
    â€œHi. I’m Dr. Soren.” A man stood from his desk, towering a half foot taller than Joe.
    â€œJoe Klamath.” Joe shook his hand. “And this is Elias Abraham.” He jerked his head in Elias’s direction.
    â€œPleased to meet you.” The doctor reached out and greeted Elias as well. “Thanks for coming in.” The doc sat down, gesturing for Joe to do the same. “We’ll go into the PT room in a moment and start our assessment, but I wanted to get a few things cleared up ahead of time.” He was all business as he pulled out forms. “I’ve spoken with Sergeant Mainer, and I’ll relay to him directly your treatment plan, as well as my permission once you’re ready to return to work.” Dr. Soren pushed a form across the table, along with a pen. “But I need you to sign the release waiver.”
    â€œFine.” Joe figured there was no use arguing. “But I can work in the office pretty soon, right? I’m getting around fine now.”
    Dr. Soren raised an eyebrow at Joe’s crutches. “Those are meant only for use with an acute injury. We’re going to take you off those today and work on getting you walking with the use of a cane.”
    â€œTake me off them?” Joe grabbed a crutch and held it in front of him. He might not have liked walking with them, but at least he could get around.
    â€œAnd Elias will be available to help you around the house?” The doc turned in Elias’s direction, smiling. “You live together?”
    â€œNo.” Joe jumped in before Elias had a chance to answer. No way did Dr. Soren need to hear about their discussion in the waiting room. “He just gave me a ride.” That was a cruel way to put it, Joe guessed, but Elias had been the one to pull away first.
    â€œWell, do you spend a lot of time together? Enough so Elias could help you with household chores and make sure you keep aware of your limits?”
    Joe ground his teeth together because he didn’t want to answer.
    â€œYes. I can.” Elias’s voice was quiet, maybe even shaky. Joe couldn’t even look at him.
    â€œHe doesn’t have to.” Joe gritted his teeth.
    Dr. Soren exchanged glances with Elias. They were forming a pact, Joe realized, allying with each other like Joe was a toddler having a temper tantrum.
    â€œI could arrange for a home health aide to come to your house every other day to check in. How about that?” The doc made his threat with a cocked eyebrow and a breezy tone, and Joe knew in a heartbeat the guy was serious.
    â€œFine.” Joe crossed his arms. He would have crossed his legs too, but he hadn’t regained that ability after the injury.
    â€œGood. I’ll go and round up my nurse and my student, and we’ll go out to the PT room and get started.” Doctor Soren