Nikki Worrell - The Enforcer (NHL Scorpions)

“Jesus Lace, I swear, that feels better every time.” Lacey proceeded to show him exactly how much better it felt with each up and down motion she made.

Zoe was looking forward to spending the day with Lacey. They hadn’t had much girl time lately, and they were going to do some shopping. Zoe was looking for new living room furniture. She was bored with her other set, even though it was only two years old.

“What are you going to do with your other furniture?” Lacey knew Zoe wouldn’t just throw it out and waste it. She did quite a bit for charity. While Lacey was all about volunteering at animal shelters, Zoe volunteered at Social Services, and since she had a shopping habit, with the money to support it, she bought new things often. That left a lot of items to donate.

“I’ll put up a flyer to see if anyone from work wants it. If no one responds, I’ll donate it. The Veteran’s Society will come pick it up.”

As they were passing the medical center, they saw Vlad walking out rubbing his hip. Lacey told Zoe to stop in there.

When they pulled up next to him, Lacey put her window down and asked him what he was doing at the medical center.

Vlad looked like a deer caught in headlights. “Uh, nothing really. I was just … uh, getting a massage.” A massage? Dammit, I should have gone out the back.

“A massage? And you wouldn’t go to a spa for that, or the trainer for that matter? What’s up Vlad?” Zoe was leaning over Lacey to talk to Vlad.

Vlad could see right down Zoe’s blouse. God, she was a sight! Her breasts weren’t large, but they were perfect. They were perky, and he knew they’d fit in his hands perfectly. Shit, she asked him a question, didn’t she? “Huh?”

Zoe saw where he was looking and put her hand up to her chest to block his view. “Forget it. We have to go. Hope you had a good massage. See ya.” Zoe took off with more speed than necessary.

“That was kind of rude, Zoe. I know the deal with you two, but why are you so mean to him lately?” Zoe didn’t used to be so flippant with Vlad. Now she just barely tolerated him.

Zoe let out a long, heartfelt sigh before she answered, “I don’t know. Probably because I think I’m a little bit in love with him. Fuck, dammit and all the other bad words. If I analyzed myself, I think I’d find that, because we’re in an impossible situation, I’m trying to push him away, which makes me want him more.”

“Sorry Zoe.”

“I know. Forget about it. Wanna grab lunch before we hit the furniture store?”

Jody’s test results came out much better than they could have, and he was grateful.

“You do have some bruising, but that’s to be expected,” the doctor told him. “I still want you to take it easy for a while. Let’s say you sit out for tonight’s game and Tuesday’s, and I’ll re-evaluate you on Wednesday.” He then went on to ask whether Jody was experiencing any trouble with his vision, ringing in his ears or headaches.

“I don’t have any vision problems or ringing in my ears. I do still have a headache, but it is seventy percent better than last night.”

“Okay, that’s normal. I want you to continue with Advil for two more days, and use a cold compress a couple of times a day.” He stood up and shook Jody’s hand. “I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

After the doctor left, he sent Lacey a text.

Jody: Hey Lace. Tests came back good. Just slight bruising.

Lacey: Hi Jody. That’s great news! How long will you be out of the game?

Jody: Doc is going to re-evaluate me on Wednesday, so I’ll miss the next two games at least.

Lacey: Well, I’m glad they’re keeping you out. You need time to fully heal.

Jody: Yeah, yeah. So, I’m having some stiffness again …

Lacey read that last text and laughed. She and Zoe were sitting in a bar on the beach having some lunch. “His mind is on sex almost constantly.”

“Oh, you poor dear.” Zoe threw a french fry at her. “I’m so sorry you’re having too much sex.”

“Well, stop being so picky and go get some!” Lacey’s phone beeped again.

Jody: Lace? You thinking about how to help me? It’s really stiff!

Lacey: You’re incorrigible! I’ll see you tonight for dinner?

Jody: It’s a date. And Lace?

Lacey: Yes?

Jody: Don’t wear any panties, ok?

Lacey: I rarely do anymore. What’s the point? You just rip them off me. :)

Jody: How bout that? Just got stiffer.

In a million years, Lacey would never have believed that she’d dabble in ‘sexting.’ She wasn’t a prude, but she just wasn’t a wild girl either … until Jody.

Before Jody got back onto the ice, Coach wanted him to talk to Zoe about the incident. He invited Lacey to sit in with them, but she declined, thinking it might be better for Jody to talk to Zoe alone.

A couple of days later, Jody showed up at Zoe’s a little before two o’clock for his appointment. He still had a slight headache, and Zoe had the blinds mostly closed to keep the brightest light out of the room. Jody was not her first patient who had suffered concussions.

“Hi Jody, come on in. You want water or something?”

“Hey Doc, got anything stronger? Lacey hasn’t let me have a beer in days. The doctor says I’m good to go, and she says no.”

“One beer coming up. Not something I usually offer my clients, but I’ll make an exception.” Zoe left the room and grabbed Jody a Molson. She knew that was his favorite.

Jody popped the cap off and took a long pull. “God, that’s good. Thanks.”

“Sure thing. So, how are you feeling? I was glad to hear that your test results came back pretty well.”

“Physically I’m almost as good as new. I still have a little bit of a headache, but I can deal with that. Thanks for closing some of the blinds, by the way.” Jody didn’t know how much he wanted to delve into his mental state. Being knocked out for so long had freaked him out a little, although he played it off like it wasn’t a big deal.

“You’re welcome. So, you stated that physically you’re pretty good. Tell me what’s bothering you mentally .” Zoe was beyond pleased that Jody was willing to open up to her. She saw a difference in him already, just from their few sessions together. He was more willing to offer information, and she didn’t want to force any answers from him or say anything that might make him clam up. Therapy worked better when the patient didn’t feel cornered – when they felt like they were the offering up information freely.

“It’s really probably nothing. I mean I’m sure anyone would be a little freaked out being unconscious for so long, right?” Jody laughed self-consciously.

Zoe gave him half a nod. “Well, I would think so, but I’m really only interested in how you feel about it. There’s no shame in being afraid. I can’t imagine someone hitting me like that. And then going down so hard the way you did.”

Jody looked toward the door and then at Zoe. “Okay, well it’s Lacey. I mean, I’ve always tried to be careful with head hits, but it’s not always easy, especially since getting hit in the face is kind of part of my job. But now I feel like I have more to lose.” The next part was killing him to say. “I almost feel like I don’t want to do this anymore, and that scares the shit out of me. I feel weak.”