Heart Waves

The rehabilitation room smelled faintly of disinfectant and eucalyptus. Jason Brand adjusted the treatment table for the second time, even though everything was perfect. He checked the patient file again: 

LEE STEPHEN.

AGE: 27

PRIMARY EVENTS: 200M FREESTYLE, 400M FREESTYLE

NOTES: SHOULDER TIGHTNESS, CHRONIC FATIGUE. RECOVERY CONCERNS.

He exhaled slowly and rubbed his palms over his black joggers. His reflection stared back at him from the mirror across him, clean white polo and clinic badge clipped neatly to the chest.

Dr. Jason Brand, DPT

He looked professional and composed, well at least on the outside. His pulse had been bothering him for the past ten minutes, all because of one name. Lee.

He hadn't seen Lee since Junior year, before the accident. They were not friends or anything just school mates. Lee was quiet and always carried a storm-cloud expression.

Jason was the Golden Boy  everyone adored, the one people expected greatness from.

The automatic glass doors slid open and Jason looked up and forgot how to breathe. Lee stood in the doorway, loose vest and track pants hanging low on narrow hips and dark slightly damp curls. Veins traced down his forearms and his shoulders looked like they could break walls. Hot, very hot… 

Jason's professional brain immediately pushed the word away. Inappropriate, extremely inappropriate!

Lee's face hadn't changed that much, still grumpy and intimidating. His gaze swept the room once before landing on him. He offered a polite smile, “Hello, sir. I'm Doctor Jason Brand and I'll be working with you from today onward." 

Lee lifted one brow and a smirk tugged at his mouth. “Come on Golden Boy." Lee said, voice low and smooth. “No need to be so formal.”

Jason froze, Golden Boy? Lee moved closer, the smirk deepening.

“After all,” he said, “We swam together in high school.”

Jason laughed softly, “Hey Lee.”

Lee extended a fist toward him. Jason stared at it for half a second too long before lifting his hand. Their knuckles touched, brief but warm.Suddenly  Jason saw the exhaustion on Lee's face and the shadows under his eyes. 

Professional instinct overrode whatever he was feeling and he asked, “When did you last sleep properly?”

Lee blinked and groaned.

Jason pointed at the treatment table, “Take your top off and lie on the table.”

Lee smiled and Jason's heart did something really unprofessional because apparently the grumpy kid from high school could smile like sunlight.

Silence settled over the room as Jason stood at Lee's side, fingers pressing carefully into the dense muscle of his upper shoulder, tracing along knots built from years of endless turns in swimming.Jason could feel Lee's heartbeat, strong and steady through muscle and skin where his hand rested near Lee's chest and shoulders.

Lee broke the silence, “So, how have you been? Your life, everything.”

Most people asked about his achievements, the Golden Boy. Not about him.

“My life is good. When I got injured I thought my life was over because swimming was everything to me.”

Lee didn't say anything, he just listened.

“I hated the water for a while.” That made Lee turn slightly.

“Stay still.” Jason said as he pushed him down gently.

“I eventually realized that healing is a part of sport. I couldn't become the swimmer I dreamed of becoming but I could help someone else keep going.”

That truth still stung.

“I am good with regular swimming now.”

“Just good?”

Jason laughed softly, “I can still swim, but not like before."

Lee was silent for a long time and then he quietly said, “I am glad."

Jason looked down.

“I am glad you are okay.”

The session continued as they talked about small and stupid things. By the end of the session the air between them had become lighter and comfortable. Jason handed Lee a  recovery sheet, “hydrate and sleep.”

Lee sat up slowly, “I feel better.”

Jason checked his tablet,"Good,same time tomorrow?"

Lee nodded, “Yeah.” He hesitated slightly, before saying,“Swim with me sometime."

Jason looked up, “What?”

“You said you still hit the water, so swim with me.”

Jason's heartbeat picked up again, the invitation was unexpected and personal. He tried so hard to remain calm and unbothered.

“Okay.”

Lee smirked and pulled out his phone,"You got a number?"

They exchanged numbers. “I will text you.” Lee said as they walked toward the doors.

Jason simply nodded.

At the doors, Lee stopped and turned, “Are you always this nervous with your patients?”

Jason groaned “I am not nervous.”

Lee smirked in a lethal kind of way, “Yes, you are.”

“I hate you."

Lee leaned slightly closer, “No, you don't.” His expression softened, “See you tomorrow Jason,”

“See you tomorrow, Lee.”

The doors slid shut and Jason stood alone in the treatment room, he could still feel the warmth from Lee's body in his palms. He dropped into a nearby chair and covered his face with both hands. “Jesus Christ.”