Page 9 of Not a Gift

I have to keep this appointment with the physiotherapist and start the long, hard road to recovery.Stepping inside, I appreciate the cool interior while I fill out the customary paperwork.Taking a seat, I listen to the monotonous music in the waiting area, wishing I was anywhere but here.

The receptionist smiles brightly.She is one of Lyrik’s friends, Pauline, I think.“You can go through, Malichai.The doctor will be with you shortly.”

She gestures toward a door on the right.I enter the office and allow the door to close behind me.The room has floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the river and the mountains behind it.There is a massive bookshelf on the left and a desk in the middle of the room.Sitting in one of the tan leather chairs, I survey the room, trying to get a feel for who this doctor may be.

In here, there isn’t a single personal touch.No photos or knickknacks to give an indication of personality or anything else.I haven’t met him before, but he comes highly recommended.

The door opens, but no one approaches or speaks.The scent hits me first—roses and rain.After a moment of tense silence, I turn to find Lyrik standing just inside the room.My dragon makes a contented sound at the sight, happy to spend any amount of time alone with her.

We stare at each other for long moments before she finally rounds the desk and sits, placing a folder on the surface in front of her.

“Doctor Phillips has had a family emergency and won’t be available for the next couple of weeks.You are welcome to reschedule,” she says, staring at a spot above my left shoulder.

What the hell did I ever do to deserve this kind of treatment from her?I know I ignored her for the majority of the time we lived together, but it was better than the alternative.I never thought she would hate me for it, though.We are still family, after all.

“Lyrik,” I say.“Look at me.”It feels like forever before her gaze finally locks on mine.“Is there a reason you’re avoiding me?”I ask.

“Avoidis such an ugly word,” she says with a blush.“I’m trying to keep this professional.”

“And last night at the bar?When you wouldn’t even look at me?”I counter.

“What do you want from me, Malichai?”The old telltale flush of anger I have never forgotten blooms on her cheeks.“It’s not like we have ever been close or even friendly.I’m treating you the same way I would any other male I haven’t seen for almost ten years.”

Fuck.Why does it feel like I got kicked in the nuts?Was that supposed to hurt?“Fine,” I grunt.“Then treat me.”

A deep frown mars her beautiful face, and I want to rub it away with the tip of my finger.“What?”

“You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t qualified.So, tell me what I need to do to get my leg back to normal, and let’s get this show on the road.”

I’m behaving like an asshole.But she hurt me with her words, no matter how inadvertently, and now I am doing the same.I’ve always acted like an asshole toward her, so I can just continue the same way I always have.

I’ve also gotten hard—again—in the time I have been sitting here, verbally sparring with her.Something I’m not proud of, but it is what it is.She has always had this effect on me.My dragon huffs at our silly sparring session and I want to tell him to shut up but he already knows how I feel.

She stares at me with shock before she recovers.

“You had a distal femur fracture as a result of the explosion.It is one of the most severe cases I have ever seen.”Lyrik never even opens the folder, proving she already worked through my case and memorized the details.“Even though you shifted in a reasonable amount of time after the incident, neither the magic of the shift nor your dragon was able to fully heal you.You had to turn to more traditional medicine to help.The surgery to implant the screws was six months ago, and it seems you’ve made a steady recovery.The only thing that remains is getting your leg back into shape.”

“What does that mean?Should I start running again?”I ask.“Should I shift more?”

“Shifting won’t help.You’ve already done all you can and now it’s just hard work from here on out.You need to do some leg exercises and work on your range of motion before you can go running again,” she counters.“I will get you a set of exercises you can do at home and the number of a therapist that can help you.”

“You can’t do it?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she replies, her frown still firmly in place.

“I don’t understand why you’re trying to get away from me.Am I not your family?Did I do something?”

She stares at me for the longest time.

“No, Malichai.You are not my family.You used to be my stepbrother, but now you are just a patient.I am busy and don’t have time for new clients.”

She has a tell.Beautiful little liar.She chews her bottom lip whenever she is being less than truthful.

“You’re still my stepsister,” I say, my jaw clenching.It’s the only thing that still binds us together even if I hate calling her that.“And if you wanted, you could help me after hours,” I counter, trying to bait her into spending time with me.

Anger flashes across her brow before she can mask it.She glares at me, breathing heavily, considering her options before answering.

“Friday, seven o’clock.Where do you want to do this?”

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