Page 68 of Winning Play

Spencenoticed the exhaustion etched into her expression.Sheblinked her eyes and rubbed her forehead.Heknew she needed rest but didn’t want to leave her.

“Hey, why don’t you get some rest?”Spencesuggested. “Ican hang out here and keep you company.”

Kimhesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay… maybe for just a few minutes.”

Spencemoved to the chair near the bed, watching as her eyes closed and her chest rose and fell as she breathed.

Aftera while,Davetouched his shoulder, nodding toward the door. “Let’schat,” he said, his voice low.SpencefollowedDaveto the kitchen area.

“Coke, water, tea?”Daveoffered.

“Watersounds good.”

Davewaved at the counter. “Graba seat.”Spenceperched on a stool and watchedDavepull water bottles from the refrigerator.Heset one on the counter forSpence.

“Ihired an investigator, actually investigators.Onehere and the other inVancouver.”Davedrank from his bottle. “First,Iasked them to construct a timeline ofHendricks’ movements sinceKimleftToronto.”

Spencenodded. “Good.”

“Alsorequested a complete background check, especially for the years before and during the timeKimenrolled at the university inVancouver.SameinTampasinceKimarrived inJanuary.”Dave’sexpression hardened. “Ifhe jaywalks, we’ll know.”

“Excellent.Ihope they find something to turn over to the police.”

DavemetSpence’seyes. “Ifhe’s lucky, he’ll land in jail.”

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Kimhad expected to bounce back from her concussion.Sherarely got sick, and her only prior injury—a broken arm during elementary school—didn’t stop her from most activities.Butthe reality of the effects of a concussion surprised her.Plaguedby headaches and hypersensitivity to light and sound,Kimfound that even though she set her iPad to night mode, she could tolerate only short sessions.Itleft her exhausted and unable to recall much of what she had read.EvenSpence’stexts throughout the day required energy to read and respond.Shehad to ask for assistance when she wanted to go to the bathroom, shower, and get dressed.Afterthat, exhaustion beckoned her back to bed.

Davehelped her walk to the large family room so they could watch theStormSurgeplayJacksonvilleonDave’scolossalTV.Kimcurled up with a plush cover and settled against throw pillows on the couch.

“Ican’t believe you connected the livestream to your ginormousTV.Thanks, awesome brother.”

“Tellme ifIneed to adjust the room’s lights—Itried to make it reasonably dim.Hopefully, no glare.”Davehanded her the scorebook. “I’llget some snacks and water.”

Kimflipped to the next open page and squinted to focus on the entered words.Lookslike both teams’ starting lineups.

“Howdid you get this?”Sheturned the page soDavecould see it.

“Ihave connections.”

Shelaughed atDave’splayful tone—he always knows how to make me feel better.“I’mgood,Dave—you can take your pregame nap without guilt.Don’tmiss it because of me.”

“Nota chance,Kimmy.I’mlooking forward to watching the game and seeing how theSurgecompares with last year’s squad.Didthey lose many players to graduation?”

“Ihaven’t askedSpence.HeandToddput off graduation to play this year.”Kimshrugged. “Iassumed they were the seniors that the team would have lost.”

“Yeah, that would define a huge loss.Theteam’s lucky neither entered the draft.”Daveset a tray of fresh fruit, cheese, and crackers on the table and handedKima water bottle.

“Youdid all this?”

“Don’tsound so surprised, sis.Ican fend for myself.Lauren’smeeting withCarynand a potential new client, so you’re stuck with me.”Dave’saffectionate smile remindedKimhow much she enjoyed spending time with him.Shehad denied this luxury for too long, allowingFinn’smanipulation to change her life.Neveragain will anyone influence whoIsee or when.

“Kim, where’d you go?”Dave’svoice pulled her from the self-recriminations.

“Nothingimportant.Idon’t know what’s going on in here sometimes.”Shetapped her temple. “ButI’mokay.Justtired,”Kimreplied, taking a sip of water.

“YouknowI’llalways have your back.”Davehanded her a small bunch of grapes. “DidItell you thatJake’strying to get the stream inVancouver—wants to ‘scout’ yourChathamSpencer?”

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