Page 25 of Dirty Play

With perfect timing, her parents walk in, wrapping her in a hug while she collapses in their arms, sobbing, as they all grieve the life they thought she’d be living. I am praying and hoping it’s not too far out of their reach.

An hour later, I’m ready to head down to the cafeteria for lunch, only this time I’m not going alone—I hope. I have a surprise. Slipping into Kennedy’s room, I find her and her mom curled up in her bed, her dad has already headed out for the night, so they’re just watching more Gilmore Girls, their nightly routine.

“So, what do you two say about going down to the cafeteria and having milkshakes with me? I need to have lunch, but nothing sounds good except a big chocolate peanut butter milkshake.”

“Deal,” Denise says, perking up and looking down at Kennedy, who is smiling at the thought of dessert. “I think we could all use a little cheering up today, and some fresh air out of this room might do us all some good.”

“Meet me down there in fifteen minutes?”

“Awesome.”

Quickly heading out of her room, I check in on Benny and his dad one last time, making sure they have what they need before letting them know where I’ll be.

When I found out one of the coffee stands makes milkshakes, I was in heaven. Even if my hips continue to scream at my desire to order one every single day.

Not like I’m complaining, they’re just more to hold onto… and if you have time to judge the weight on my hips, you’re not fucking me good enough.

Scanning the cafeteria, I look for Kennedy and her mom, knowing they probably already beat me down here, but instead of spotting the two bubbly blondes, I see a set of brown eyes watching me from across the room.

My whole body freezes. Why is he here?

What is Cade doing at my hospital?

My heart starts to race as I just stare at him, my brain trying to make sense of why he would be here.

It isn’t until he starts talking that I realize he’s not alone.

Nope. Cade’s standing with Denise and Kennedy. They are both beaming up at him while Denise FaceTimes with who I can only assume is Josh—one of the biggest hockey fans I know.

I want to stay here, not let these two worlds collide, but the moment he nods for me to come over, my feet start moving before my brain even realizes what’s happening.

Chapter 10

Cade

After two hours of texting Sawyer and promising her all the desserts she could carry the next time we went to the store, she caved and told me Gwen would be at work tonight. I feel kind of stalkerish, but honestly, I haven’t been able to sleep lately, wondering how many of these nights she’s spent walking alone late at night while I was home warm and safe in bed.

It doesn’t sit right with me, so today, I’m here to make sure she knows I’m walking her home. I was in such a rush to get here I forgot to throw a hat on, which is, unfortunately, the easiest way to limit the number of times I am recognized and stopped for autographs. This time, though, I don’t mind at all. When a young girl and her mom stop me, their faces light up the moment they realize who I am.

Although the young girl, Kennedy, wastes no time telling me Miles is her favorite.

Apparently, I’m her dad’s favorite player, so they end up FaceTiming him, and the look on his face matches the surprise on his daughter’s. It takes me a moment of talking to these two to realize these are the girls Gwen was with the night I saw her. We spend a bit talking before Kennedy looks at me and says, “Why are you at the hospital this late at night, visiting hours are over.”

Her mom looks appalled at her honesty, but I just laugh.

“I’m here looking for my friend. She works here, helping people.”

“Oh, then I like your friend. Maybe she’ll be able to get me a new kidney.”

With her words, my stomach drops. The pit that’s always sitting deep in my stomach worsening as every memory of my sister lying in that hospital bed comes flooding back.

“I-I’m sure she would love to be able to help you. She’s one of the best people I know. I’m sorry you’re going through that, it’s a challenging fight, but you’re strong. Always remember that, and even when you’re not feeling that way, you’re surrounded by people who care about you.”

Looking around the cafeteria once more, I glance at the clock, hoping I didn’t get her lunch break wrong. But then I see her, and our eyes lock, my whole body relaxing.

“Did you find your friend?” she asks, her eyes following mine. “Oh hey, it’s Gwen. Do you think she has my milkshake? Maybe she’ll be able to get you and your friend one, too!”

Gwen must be her nurse, and that’s why I saw her with them that night. With a quick nod at Gwen, she starts to make her way over to us. Her body is confident, but I can see the uncertainty in her eyes, probably wondering what the fuck I’m doing here with her patient.

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