importantly, you have to rest, Blaine. I know that’s hard for you, but the body can’t repair itself without downtime.”
I put up a hand like an oath. “Rest and cream. Got it.”
Her eyes light up as she rifles through the leaves. “I already knew you’d be stopping by. The cards told me that you were injured but could heal quickly if you’d only listen to reason.”
I chuckle. Even though I’m not a big believer in all that woo-woo stuff, I have to admit that Gwen is usually dead on when she whips out her favorite tarot deck. “Did the cards say anything else interesting?”
She tugs her lower lip between her teeth and glances down at the plants. It isn’t like Gwen to be unsure of herself. I wait until she feels safe enough to tell me. God, I pray she’s not going to say something about me and Cora. I don’t care to have what I already know thrown in my face.
A little sigh escapes her lips. “You have a good friend who has a broken heart.”
Cora has a broken heart. And I’m the one who shattered it.
My brain comes to a shit-screeching halt. “Um… did the cards say which friend?”
Her eyes narrow as she thinks. “Someone who’s like an advisor to you. A friend and mentor.”
Dylan. It has to be him. Because after what he’s been through, having a broken heart is about the understatement of the damn century. “Yes, our assistant captain. His heart is more like shattered. A woman in his past did him dirty.”
She flicks her wrist. “I don’t need to know the details. It’s really none of my business, but…” There she goes glancing down again. And blushing. But she doesn’t even know Dylan. At least I don’t think they’ve ever met.
“But?” I prompt.
That smile. As if God created Gwen’s lips to light all the dark places. “The cards said that I could help this broken-hearted man heal. Do you think he’d be open to something like that? The cards were very clear that he’s a little… closed off.”
I scrunch up my nose, trying to think about how to be delicate. They’re both my friends. My good friends. I don’t want to weave my way into the middle of anything. “Yeah, you could say that. I don’t think CBD or Arnica will be enough for what ails him. What did you have in mind for healing?”
“Reiki. I strongly feel that emotional healing should be hands-on.”
I pause, because that sounds a lot more like sexual healing. “Ah. It probably would be helpful, but as for Dylan being open to energy healing, I really have no idea. He seems to kick it pretty old school when it comes to his training. Some of the guys do yoga and acupuncture and Swedish massage. I’ve even heard of some doing ballet over the years. D pretty much just lets Bob torture him with assisted stretching and then he heads to the sauna or whirlpool.”
Her face falls as if I just told her that Jupiter doesn’t align with Mars. She sighs before she mumbles, “Do you think you could ask him? The cards were very clear I should help this man.”
My mind races. “I could ask him, but I think it would be way more well-received coming from you. He’s lonely and he only leaves his condo for team functions. It would be good for him to get out more. Maybe you could make a date out of it. Reiki and Ratatouille.”
Her eyes widen. “Do you really think so? If he’s staying inside his condo and only going out with the guys, that means he doesn’t like anyone intruding on his personal space. He feels safe in that space.”
I twist one side of my mouth. “Nah, that’s just his personality. He’s like that stoic man of few words dude. Seems like he only talks if he has something important to say. He would probably enjoy having you in his space. If you want to come to Spud’s for the next after-game get-together, I can make sure he’s there. You guys could meet – see if there’s a connection. Then you could talk to him about it after a few beers. He always loosens up. Just maybe start with healing his muscles before you move on to his hardened old heart.”
She runs her long fingers down the leaves of the plant in front of her. “That sounds like a good plan. I can’t wait to meet him. At least, the cards