“I will pay,” he said automatically. “Do not worry. I will take you home.”
He motioned for the waiter, whispered something to him and handed him his credit card. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, forcing myself not to let the pain show on my face with so many people around.
The waiter practically jogged back to the table, Lars signed something, and then he got up. My eyes widened as he approached my chair.
“Wait. You’re not going to…?”
“I am very strong. Do not worry.”
“Lars, don’t—”
My heart hammered as I imagined him trying to pick me up and falling over or dropping me in the middle of a crowded downtown restaurant. I’d be a laughingstock.
He scooped me up from the chair and away from the table, his expression as stoic and unconcerned as ever. He wasn’t straining and he wasn’t going to drop me. No one had carried me since I was a child, but this strong, huge hunk of a hockey player managed to do it.
“Lars Jansson!” a man called from a nearby table. “It’s Lars Jansson from the Mavericks.”
“Yes, I am Lars.”
If I hadn’t been in so much pain, his response would have made me smile. Lars was the most unique, straightforward man I’d ever known.
He stopped walking, and I cringed.
“Hey man, can I get a picture with you?” the man asked. “I’m a season ticket holder.”
Lars looked at my face and asked, “Do you mind?”
I arched my brows, stupefied, and forced myself to unclench my teeth. “Do I mind? Yes, I do. Will you please get me out of here right now? People are already taking pictures of us with their phones.”
He nodded and turned to the man. “I am sorry. I can’t do a picture right now.”
“Sure, it’s okay.”
Lars opened the door to the restaurant with his foot, not missing a beat. When we got to his SUV, he gently placed me in the front seat and latched the seat belt so I wouldn’t have to twist. Then he jogged around to the driver’s side and got in. He pulled into traffic and glanced over at me.
“You are okay?”
“Not yet.” I grimaced. “I have medication that will help the muscles relax. A good night’s sleep and I should be fine tomorrow. I guess I spent too much time on my feet today.”
He looked like he was going to say something but then didn’t.
It only took a few minutes to get home and he double-parked in front of the building. He jumped out and opened my door, waving at Barney.
“What’s happened? Does she need a doctor?” Barney came running out.
“No,” I gasped, wincing as Lars lifted me out of the SUV. “Just a bad cramp.”
“Don’t let anyone…take my car,” Lars called to him. “What is the word?”
“Tow,” I responded automatically.
“Tow!” Lars yelled right next to my ear. “Don’t let anyone tow it!”
Ouch. That kind of hurt. But my back hurt worse.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Jansson. I’m on it.” Barney yelled as the elevator doors closed.
I somehow managed to get out my keys and Lars unlocked the front door without even putting me down, which was something.
“Where is the medicine?” he asked, taking me directly to the bedroom.
“Top drawer of the nightstand.” I told him the name of the prescription and he put me down gently before opening my drawer and pulling out the pills. I swallowed two dry, unwilling to wait for water, and rested my head on the pillow. This hurt so damn much, no matter how much progress I made. My physical therapist said it was the muscles trying to protect themselves from strain, which happened often as I became more active. But damn, it had been over a year and I was so tired of this.
“What else can I do?” Lars asked, sitting on the edge of the bed, one hand on my hip.
“Nothing,” I whispered. “Thank you for taking care of me. This happens sometimes. Can you bring me a bottle of water from the fridge, please?”
“I’ll be back.” He disappeared for a minute and came back with a bottle of water and a napkin. He opened the bottle and then set it on the napkin on the nightstand.
“I’m probably going to fall asleep on you,” I said. “This stuff is strong.”
“It’s okay. Just sleep.”
He took off my shoes and pulled the blanket over me.
Before I knew it, I was fast asleep.
Sunlight was streaming through the windows when I opened my eyes and I turned over stiffly. The spasms were gone, but I needed to call my physical therapist for a session today. I sat up and, once again, Lars was gone. I didn’t remember him leaving, but I didn’t remember much of anything when I took the muscle relaxers. They were strong, and I tried to only take them when I absolutely had to because they knocked me out hard.