Page 28 of Just One: Box Set

Chapter Two

A my stepped off the elevator and immediately caught sight of her brother. He had his arms around his new wife, Harley, who was a complete wreck. She jumped at the sensation of someone touching her shoulder.

“Sorry, sis.” Allison grinned as Amy turned toward her.

Amy pulled her sister into a hug, noticing Damon, Harley's oldest brother, holding her hand in a firm grip. “I see you went after her.” Amy gave him an approving look.

“I did. And by some dumb luck, she agreed to give me a chance.”

Amy watched as her sister nestled against him. It was apparent she had fallen for him despite the shitty heartbreak she’d experienced a few months earlier. As far as Amy was concerned, she was thrilled Damon was exactly what Allison needed. But right now, Damon needed her more.

“Any word on your brother?”

Damon blew out a breath. “No. He’s still in surgery. Wait—” Damon narrowed his eyes at Amy. “Not meaning to sound rude… but why are you here? You don’t know Phillip, other than meeting him at your brother’s wedding.”

“I’m going to be part of his rehabilitation team. The coach is friends with my boss… and well, here I am.”

“Plus, she’s the best.” Allison pressed her palm against Damon’s chest. “Amy is finishing her doctorate in physiotherapy. But more than that, she is one of the most sought-after rehabilitation specialists in Georgia.”

Damon’s eyes softened. “Thank you, Amy. Phillip will be grateful to have someone he kind of knows helping him. I just hope you’re ready. Soccer is his life and if he can’t play again—I don’t know what he’ll do.”

Amy reached out and grabbed his hand. “I’ll do my best to get him back. But until I know what I’m dealing with, I can’t make promises. Let me go hunt down the doctor or someone who can answer some questions.”

She tugged her phone out and shot her boss a text asking who his surgeon was. Slipping the device in her pocket, she scurried over to Archer. “Hey little brother.”

“Ames.” Archer released his wife long enough to pull her into a hug. “Glad you’re here.”

Harley gave her a quick hug and stepped back. Amy watched as she swiped her face, wiping off the tears staining her cheeks. “Archer says you’re going to be his therapist.”

“Yes. His physiotherapist. But first I need to find the doctor's assistant and see when he’ll be out of surgery. I don’t have any details other than the incident involved some kind of collision and that he broke his tibia.”

“Yeah. That’s about all we know.”

A commotion at the front had her turning around to find a man wearing turnout gear. His jacket was partially opened, revealing the unmistakable logo of the Atlanta Fire Department.

“Andre.” Amy rushed over to her brother. There were only two years between them, so she was closer to him than Archer or Allison. As the oldest of the four, her siblings often saw Amy as a caregiver instead of a sister.

“Hey squirt.” He tugged her against him. “Whatcha doing here?”

“I was assigned to Phillip’s case.” Amy shrugged out of his hold and stepped back.

Andre grimaced. “Fuck, Amy. It’s bad. I don’t know how he’ll walk normal, much less play soccer again.”

Amy was about to speak when someone called out behind her. “Cross family?”

Amy slowly turned, her heart dropping to her feet when she saw the doctor standing there. Fuck. This was going to make this more complicated. As she stepped forward, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She slipped it out and swiped the screen.

Mike: Just talked to the coach. The orthopedic in charge of his case is Dr. Brian Spencer… sorry Amy. But I know you’ll be professional.

She snorted at his text. Yeah, she’d be professional. She wasn’t so sure about Dr. Spencer. Amy wished she was someone else right then, but luck was not her friend. Taking a formidable breath, she stepped forward just as he was beginning to speak.

Dr. Spencer’s eyes roamed over her, a look of agitation and shock crossing his features. “Ms. Hunt. Is there something I can help you with? This is a private matter that doesn’t concern you.”

His cold greeting wasn’t unexpected, but it didn’t make it sting any less. Straightening her shoulders, she stepped closer. “Actually, it does involve me. I’ve been assigned as part of his rehabilitation team. And he’s family.”

Brian Spencer’s eyebrows rose in shock. “I see. Very well then.” He turned his attention back to Harley and Damon and continued.

“Phillip is out of surgery and will be in a room shortly. I had to place several pins and a metal plate along the tibia. The blow to his shin splintered the bone into two pieces. Not to mention the muscle damage. Phillip will require months of physical therapy after he’s allowed it time to recover.

If I had to guess, he’ll start PT in about six weeks if X-rays show the bone has healed. ”

“And what about soccer?” Damon pulled Allison against him, obviously needing the comfort of her touch.

Dr. Spencer glanced around the forlorn faces and sighed.

“It’s early to say, but I’ll be honest. I doubt his leg will be the same.

Injuries like this are typically career ending.

It’s something you need to prepare him for when he wakes up.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go call his coach. Ms. Hunt, if you don’t mind walking with me a moment. ”

Amy gave her family a sympathetic smile and followed behind Dr. Spencer. As soon as they were out of earshot, he paused. “How have you been Amy?”

Surprised, Amy stuttered. “Um f—fine.”

He stared at her for a moment. “This is where you ask me how I’m doing. And where I tell you, I’m still pissed.”

“Seriously?” Amy stepped back, shaking her head. “It was over a month ago, Brian.”

Brian narrowed his eyes. “Right. So, I’m supposed to be over you ending things after two years. I didn’t know there was a time frame for heartbreak or anger.”

Amy laughed, unable to hide the bitterness in her tone.

“Wow. Angry? I think you’ve seem too forgotten why I ended things.

But this isn’t the time or place to remind you.

I’m here as a favor of my family and boss.

Phillip is the only thing that matters.” She balled her fists against her legs.

“How about we just keep things professional? We’ll be working together to make sure Phillip has the best chance at a full recovery.

If you weren’t the best doctor for him, I’d tell his family to replace you.

So, tuck your anger away and don’t make me regret not doing that, Dr. Spencer. ”

Using his professional title stunned him to silence. He gave her a simple nod. “You know how to reach me if you need something. Call my office and set up a meeting to discuss our plan of action for his recovery.”

Amy watched as his backside retreated down the hallway. Sighing her relief, she went in search of a nurse. She needed to find out what room Phillip was going to be assigned to. With one uncomfortable hurdle jumped… Amy knew the toughest one was yet to come.

And she couldn’t understand why her heart was beating so hard inside her chest. Nor did she understand why saying Phillip was all that mattered right now to Brian felt like it was more than just caring about his recovery.