Page 177 of Offside Devil

Hanna pushes through the back exit and Jace clicks his tongue. “What?” I ask.

“Aside from the fact that every woman who works for you is desperately in love with you?” He bobs his head. “Nothing at all.”

I wave off the comment. Partially because it's bullshit. Hanna has been acting weird, but she's worked for me for years. There's nothing going on there.

There's also nothing going on with Mira. Not anymore.

I take another long shower. For weeks, I’ve been the first person out of the locker room after practice. Now, by the time I shut off the water and wrap my towel around my waist, the locker room is empty.

I towel off and change slowly, as if five extra minutes out of the house will make going home easier.

Aiden is home today, which actually does make things a little easier. He’s a nice buffer between us. It’s easier to handle Mira’s secrets when I see how much Aiden loves her. She’s good for him, at least.

For now, that means she stays.

I grab my phone out of my bag on the way out the door, mostly checking to see if Owen’s P.I. has gotten back to me yet. It’s been a few days of radio silence. I only paid the man half of his fee up front, but it was a hefty amount. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s ghosting me.

Instead, I see a string of texts and missed calls from Mira.

Aiden isn’t doing well. He has a high fever and is exhausted. I think we should call the doctor.

Aiden is really sick. Evan is coming to pick us up.

We’re on our way. I’ll text when I know more.

She followed up with the hospital’s address and then… nothing. For hours.

I drop the dead weight of my duffel on the locker room floor and sprint for the parking lot.

Nothing makes time crawl like being in a rush.

Traffic is a nightmare and each unanswered ring of Mira’s phone feels like a minute, an hour, an eternity. When I’m finally squeezing through the emergency room’s automatic doors, I’m ready to tear through walls to find my son.

I’m charging towards the nurse’s station when a massive wall of a man steps in front of me.

I have a hand ready to shove some power-tripping security guard out of the way when I realize it’s my security guard.

Evan doesn’t waste any time. He tips his head towards the elevators. “I’ll take you to Aiden’s room.”

“Is he okay?” I demand. “How long has he been here? Why the fuck isn’t Mira answering her phone?”

Memories of the days Daniel spent in the hospital float to the forefront of my mind. The smell of the lobby, the glare of the lights… even the wobbly slide of the elevator doors brings it all back.

Along with the feeling I’ve been trying to outrun for years. Five undeniable words.

This is all my fault.

“Reception is shitty upstairs,” he explains, jabbing the fifth floor button. “And Mira has been talking to a lot of the doctors and nurses. She might not have had time.”

“She should’ve made time,” I grit out. “I’m his father.”

His father, who wasn’t around when he needed to be admitted to the hospital.

His father, who spent half an hour roasting in the shower after practice instead of checking his phone or rushing home to be with his kid.

The elevator doors open and I’m already through them and moving down the hall when Evan calls after me, “Room 518.”

I break into a jog.

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