Second Chances by Kimberly McKay Read Free Book Online Page A

full of horror, as she spun back to sit across from her.
                  Natasha laughed.  “You’ll see.”

Chapter 7
     
                   Nick Granger rolled up his sweatpants in preparation for his appointment and grinned when his buddy came in wearing a polo and pressed khakis.
    “You clean up good, Sam.”  Nick teased from the therapy table.
    Sam chuckled, put Nick’s chart on the counter, and grabbed for the electrical leads.
    “Be careful or I’ll turn these things up to full capacity.”
    “What?”  Nick laughed.  “I was being honest.  It just throws me for a loop when I see you at work when the Sam I know prefers shorts and a tank top.”  Nick looked around the physical therapy office, where Sam had been treating Nick for his injured knee for almost a year.  “It’s so official looking.”
    “Life changes ...  It took me a while to get used to you on national television, in the big game.  It was even more surreal when I got the chance to see you play.”
    “You came to my games?”  Nick’s eyes went wide.  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I could have given you tickets down near my family.”
    Sam waved him off.  “Nah.  It was more exciting with the fans.  That way if you screwed up, I wasn’t harassed for coming to see you.” He laughed and placed the leads on Nick’s leg. 
    Nick gave him a look but said nothing.  He just smiled, knowing how lucky he was that Sam was still his friend after all these years.
    “Lift your knee.” Sam placed a round pillow underneath for support, and then turned the dial up on the machine before asking, “Is this strong enough, or do you think you go up some?”
    Nick nodded his head.
    “Tell me when the electric pulses become too much.”  Sam continued to dial it up until Nick lifted his hand.
    “Thanks.”
    “No problem.  It’s what I do.”  Sam smiled and lifted the patient chart from his counter.
    “No, I mean thanks for everything.  When I moved back here, after the divorce.  I was a mess. You were there for Katie and me.”
    Sam wondered if this was his chance to bring up his sister’s arrival to town.  He’d seen so much healing within his friend over the last six months and wasn’t sure if he’d be open to a friendly suggestion.
    “Like I said,”  Sam paused.  “It’s what I do.  Apparently it’s what I do a lot.”
    “Hey, man – I’m sorry.  If I’ve taken too much of your time. I know you have your own family.”  Nick instantly felt bad for the way he’d imposed on his friend since moving back.
    Sam sat across from him and patted his arm.  “No, it’s not you I’m referring to.  My sister is recently divorced, and has moved back to town.”
    Nick’s heart skipped a beat when he heard the news. 
    “Paige is back?”  His throat went dry.
    “Yup.” Sam pursed his lips to keep from smiling, as he entered some notes on his computer.  “I’ve been helping her move in and get adjusted to life back home.”
    Nick spaced for a minute, thinking about the crush most of the guys had on her – himself included.  With her fiery red hair and spirit to match, she stood out from all the others, but since she was Sam’s kid sister, no one dared approach her.  He wondered if that rule still applied or if
    enough time had passed that Sam would allow Paige to live her own life.  He blinked and wondered how to approach the subject without being obvious.
    “How long has she been divorced?”  He asked casually.  “Didn’t she marry that guy on the golf team, the one who thought he was better than everyone else?”
    Seeing his friend’s peaked interest, he slowly turned his back to him and pretended to look through his file while he secretly grinned out of view.
    “Yup, she did.  So, tell me about your workout today.  How tired did you feel afterward?”
    Nick lifted his hand with a dismissive wave.  “I felt just fine.  So how long has she been back in