“Nearly. I had to stop going out on weekdays to stay home and study. Bleh.”
I chuckle softly. “You poor thing.”
She sticks her tongue out at me. “But Grace and I are loving the new place. You need to come by and see it. It’s so cute. I’m pretty sure Ty is renting it to us at a steal, but I love it too much to protest too loudly. When he and Piper have kids, I’m gonna owe them so much free babysitting.”
Her brother bought a house near campus for Everly to live in while she’s going to college.
“He’s happy to do it, and real estate near Whittaker is smart.”
“I guess so. It’s a three-bedroom, so Grace is going to ask her cousin if she wants to move in. Or we’re going to turn it into one giant closet.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket. Little Callum, who’s slept through everything else, protests swiftly and loudly.
“Uh-oh.” Everly reaches over and takes him from me. She holds him away from her body like she’s scared of him while I dig my phone out. I scowl at the message.
“I’m guessing by your expression that it isn’t from the nurse.”
“How do you know about Bridget?”
“Oh, please. You’re the hottest gossip around right now. Now that you and Jack are the only ones still single, Ty and the others just sit around talking about their women and any fresh gossip about your dating life.”
Yeah, that sounds about right.
“I heard she turned you down. Several times.” She’s still holding Callum all awkward, so I slide my phone back into my pocket and motion for her to hand him back.
“She only turned me down once. We were going to have coffee but then it didn’t work out.”
“Okay. So text her and ask her to go out tonight. What else are you doing?”
“Thanks for the reminder I’m out of commission,” I grumble. “I didn’t get her number.”
Everly’s eyes widen. “Oh, crap. So she really is playing hard to get. I like her already.”
“There was something there. Her ex was a dick, so she’s hesitant, but I’m patient.”
“Of course, you are. You have random girls texting you to fill the void.” She pointedly glares at my pocket where I slid my phone.
“It was just Talia and I’m not interested in seeing her again.”
“Good. She was kind of a bitch when you weren’t around.”
Which is exactly why I ended things. My team is family. I could never be with someone that didn’t get along with them.
“Are you going to Jack’s party for Meredith?”
“Yeah,” I say. “I was hoping to bring Bridget, but that’s not looking like it’s going to happen.”
“I was summoned to stop by but not touch the alcohol.” She gives another eye roll.
“Jack invited you?” Those two are at each other’s throats more often than not. Mostly because Jack is an asshole. He’s a great captain and friend, the best actually. But when Everly came to live with Tyler, we all took on some of the responsibility of looking out for her. Jack’s way of doing that was just a little more abrasive than the rest of us.
“Yeah, but probably just because he wants Grace to come and talk baseball or whatever.”
“Ah.” I nod. Grace’s dad was a pitcher for the Twins before he retired.
“I’m thinking of filling an empty bottle of vodka with water and bringing it with me just to watch his head explode.”
Knowing Jack, that’s probably the exact reaction he’d have to an underage girl getting bombed at his party.
“Let’s not poke the bear.”
The girls stay for the entire game but leave as soon as it’s over. Another loss to a team that should have been an easy win.
My house is too quiet as soon as they’re gone. I should go to bed, but I’m not really tired. It feels like all I’ve done this week is sleep and rest. Tomorrow I finally start physical therapy. I’m anxious to get to work. The sooner I can get back my full range of motion, the sooner I can get back on the ice and help my team.
8
LIKE A KNIFE TO THE CHEST
BRIDGET
As soon as I step outside of the hospital, I exhale and tip my head up to the sky. The sun is out and there’s a hint of warmth seeping through the fall morning.
I survived another week of working the night shift. Only three classes stand between me and a weekend of sleep. Thank goodness. I’m dead tired.
Distracted by my overwhelming exhaustion, I don’t see Ash until he’s right in front of me.
My steps come to a halt and my backpack slides off my shoulder. A cocky smile tips up one side of his mouth. I feel my face heat as he stares at me.
“Hey.”
“Hi,” I reply slowly. Seeing Ash Kelly out in the world, walking around like he’s a normal human, is incredibly strange. “What are you doing here?”
“I remembered you said you got off at seven.”
“You’re here to see me?” The question comes out squeaky, my voice high-pitched and full of surprise.
“Yeah, I’m sorry about our breakfast date last week.”
“It wasn’t a date,” I say quickly.
“Good. I feel less like an ass for not showing then.”
“I heard they’d taken you to imaging. I had to get to class anyway.” Was I disappointed? Maybe.
He nods thoughtfully.
“How’s the shoulder?” I motion toward the sling cradling his left arm.
“Better.” He glances down at it, then turns his gaze back to me. “Are you headed to class now?”
“Home first.”
“Time for coffee?”
“Oh…uh.” I look around. No one else seems aware that Ash is… Ash, and they’re just walking by like this incredibly hot, talented guy isn’t standing here asking me out for the second time. It’s bizarre. We’re in bizarro land.
“Trying to come up with an excuse?” He chuckles softly. “It’s just coffee.”
I have a feeling nothing with Ash is just anything, but since my brain isn’t functioning well enough to come up with an excuse, I lead him back inside. There’s a coffee shop on the first floor next to the gift store. He orders black coffee with one sugar and a splash of cream. I get mine with lots of both.
With our drinks in hand, Ash and I find a small table out front.
“So…” His light brown hair is tucked behind his ears and he wears a playful smile that promises fun and flirting. I could probably use a little more of both in my life. “How’ve you been?”
“Fine.” I blow lightly on my coffee and then take a sip. An awkwardness that I don’t remember from the other night stretches out between us. “You?”
“Bored. Restless. I’m not used to sitting around so much.”
“Have the doctors said how long you’ll be out?” Medical talk, this I can do.
“Three more weeks minimum.” His mouth is tight at the corners.
“I’m sorry.”
His expression shifts and he veers us to another topic. “How’s the apartment hunting coming?”