Read Online I’ll Be There by Samantha Chase - Free Book Online Page B

natural to me.”
    â€œOkay, that’s a good thing, but didn’t you work out? Didn’t you lift weights?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œYou have to think of this as though you’re starting over at the beginning. It sucks and it’s going to hurt, but you know what the end result will be. Trust me. We’ll go over a list of exercises together. If there’s something that hurts you or if you don’t understand why we’re doing something, ask me. I’m not here to torture you. Believe it or not, I want you to get up and walk and jog and…hell, even climb another mountain, just as much as you do.”
    Somehow Zach doubted it. “I don’t think it’s going to be possible.”
    Alex crossed his arms across his chest. “Are you this doubtful and pessimistic in business?”
    â€œHell no,” Zach said adamantly.
    â€œThen why are you being so now?”
    â€œHonestly?”
    Alex nodded. “I expect nothing less.”
    â€œAll my life, things have come easily to me. But this? It isn’t.” He paused for a moment. “I know the fall wasn’t my fault. I know it was a series of unfortunate circumstances that caused it. But having to rely on so many people for my basic everyday functions? I hate it.”
    â€œAnyone in your situation would.”
    Zach shook his head. “It’s more than that. I vehemently hate anyone seeing me as weak. And whenever someone witnesses it, I need them to leave. I can’t bear to look at them and know they’re pitying me.”
    â€œHence the revolving door of therapists,” Alex stated.
    â€œYes. On some level, I know it’s counterproductive and it’s irrational, but I can’t seem to let it go. I’ve held my family at bay because I don’t want them seeing me like this. I even threw my own mother out of the hospital.” He snorted with disgust. “I mean, who does that?”
    â€œA guy who is struggling to overcome the biggest challenge of his life.”
    Zach found Alex’s direct candor somewhat startling, and yet it put him at ease, somehow. He felt like Alex was actually listening without judging, or worse, pitying.
    â€œYeah, maybe. But…I think most people would be a little more…receptive to having people around, especially their family. I know they love me and they’re concerned for me and even want to help me. It’s just too damn hard to accept their help because I’ve never really needed it before.”
    â€œIt’s a pride thing.”
    Zach looked up at him. “No…it’s…”
    â€œPride,” Alex finished for him. “Normally, I’d say a little pride is a good thing. But right now? In this situation?” He shook his head. “You’re only hurting yourself and screwing up your chance for a full recovery.”
    â€œSo…what am I supposed to do? Open my door and let everyone I know come in here and play nursemaid to me? Let everyone watch me struggle to walk or move or get myself dressed? Why not put some bars on the doors and treat me like a freak in a cage? We can charge admission.”
    â€œWhat’s your field of business? Entertainment?”
    A frown crossed Zach’s face along with confusion. “What? No, why?”
    â€œBecause that’s a pretty wild imagination you’ve got there.” He chuckled. “Do you think your family and friends are amused by your struggles?”
    â€œI’m sure some of them are.”
    â€œThere could be a couple of reasons for it,” Alex said. “But I think the people who genuinely care about you aren’t taking any pleasure in watching you struggle.”
    Again, Zach wasn’t so sure. “So…what do we have to do?”
    A wide grin crossed Alex’s face. “For starters, I need to know your schedule. I’m guessing that was your assistant here earlier?”
    â€œGabriella. My