Page 2 of The Last Pirouette
“Hey, Dr. Reese! How’s it hanging?”
The voice again, booming across the room, followed by a series of rapid-fire questions about workout routines and protein shakes. Harper squeezed her eyes shut. He was like a human noise machine, a walking, talking violation of the sacred silence she craved.
“Alright there, Liam,” Dr. Reese replied, her tone laced with a weary good humor. “Knock it off with the gym-bro routine, okay? I’ve got patients trying to concentrate.”
Liam. Of course. She’d heard whispers about him in the hallways, the golden boy of hockey, sidelined by a shoulder injury that threatened his scholarship. She’d pictured someone stoic, a fellow sufferer navigating his own quiet hell. Not… this.
“Concentrating is overrated, Doc. Gotta keep the vibes high, you know? Positive energy only!”
Harper opened her eyes a fraction, just enough to catch a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye. He was taller than she’d imagined, all broad shoulders and easy smiles. His dark hair was tousled, as if he’d just run his hands through it, and his eyes were bright with an almost unsettling optimism. He was wearing a hockey team t-shirt, the fabric stretched tight across his chest, and his easy confidence radiated like heat.
She hated him. Instantly.
“Alright, alright,” Dr. Reese chuckled. “Why don’t you hop on the leg press? Just take it easy, remember what we talked about.”
“Easy is my middle name, Doc. Liam ‘Easy’ Hayes, at your service.”
Harper felt a surge of irritation so potent it almost made her gasp. Easy? He had no idea what easy was. Easy was glidingacross a stage, weightless and free. Easy was losing yourself in the music, every movement a perfect expression of emotion. This… this was anything but easy.
Dr. Reese, oblivious to the storm brewing within Harper, gestured towards the leg press machine directly to Harper's right. "Why don't you start there, Liam? Harper can show you the ropes."
Harper's head snapped up.Show him the ropes?Was she invisible? Deaf? Did she not radiate enough ‘leave me alone’ energy?
Liam grinned, flashing a set of ridiculously perfect teeth. “Sounds like a party. Ready to get those quads burning, ice princess?”
She didn’t respond, focusing her gaze on a spot somewhere over his left shoulder. She would not acknowledge him. She would not engage. She would simply endure.
He didn’t seem to notice, or perhaps he didn’t care. He sauntered over to the leg press, his movements loose and fluid, a stark contrast to the stiff, deliberate way she moved. He tossed his hockey bag onto the floor with another jarring thud, then began adjusting the seat and weights with an irritatingly casual air.
“So,” he said, his voice loud enough to carry over the hum of the machines. “You new here? I haven’t seen you around before.”
Harper remained silent, her jaw clenched.
“I’m Liam, by the way. In case you were wondering. Which, you know, you probably weren’t. But hey, a guy can dream, right?”
She ignored him.
“Guess not. Okay, well, nice to… share this moment of awkward silence with you.”
He paused, seemingly waiting for a response that wasn’t coming. Harper pedaled on, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps.
Finally, he sighed. “Alright, alright. Play it your way. But just so you know, misery loves company. And we’re officially rehab buddies now, so you’re stuck with me.”
He winked, then turned his attention to the leg press, completely unfazed by her icy demeanor. Harper stared straight ahead, willing herself to disappear.
“Alright, Harper, how’s that leg feeling?” Dr. Reese asked, her voice gentle but firm.
Harper barely glanced at her. “Fine.”
“Fine? Or are you pushing yourself too hard?”
“Fine,” she repeated, her voice flat and devoid of emotion.
Dr. Reese sighed softly. “Remember, it’s not about how fast you go, it’s about consistency. We want to build strength, not cause more damage.”
“I know,” Harper said, the words clipped and precise.
“Are you experiencing any pain?”
