Page 140 of Cruel Steps

“Broken ribs, concussion, and first-degree burns. They’re keeping him overnight.”

“Shit.” He pulled off his cap, rubbing his balding head. “Do they know what happened?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but Holden squeezed my hand hard, and I stopped. “Something with the car. They’re investigating.”

“Dammit.”

I wanted to yell at him for being more concerned about the game than his player, but thankfully, Holden did it first.

“This better not be about the game.” His voice came out all growly, perking up my arousal. I had to scold myself. This was not the time or place.

The coach reared back like Holden had slapped him. “Of course not! Donovan’s a hell of a player, but he’s not the team.” Holden relaxed slightly. “It’s still early in the season, so I don’t want the school to take away his scholarship.”

And there was my fear.

“Is that possible?” I asked.

“If he’s not able to play the rest of the season, it’s possible,” Coach said glumly.

“Fuck. I didn’t...” Holden shook his head, pulling his hair. “We’ll figure something out. I don’t want him to worry about this.”

Coach nodded. “I won’t say anything. I’ll push off the athletics department as long as I can.”

“Thanks, Coach.” Holden reached out and squeezed his shoulder. The older man nodded, patting his hand. “He’s being moved up to room 439, but he can’t have a lot of visitors.” His eyes scanned the team; brotherhood and admiration filled his eyes.

“No worries. Just let Donovan know we’re here,” a big guy said. A few others nodded in agreement. Cody hugged me, whispering to update him on the hand-holding situation later.

“Fuck. Who knew broken ribs would hurt so much?” Colter cursed, clutching his side. We’d only made it up four steps.

“Do you want me to?—”

“Nope. I’ll make it. Just let me whine about it,” he teased, winking at me.

Twenty minutes later and about four more stops, we finally entered my room. Sweat beaded along his brow, and his face was red from the exertion. He collapsed onto the bed, panting as he caught his breath.

“Damn. This bed is nice. Why have we been sleeping in my crappy one?”

“Because your crappy one was sans nosey parents.”

“Ah! Right. That is a good reason.”

I helped him prop up against the pillows and snuggle onto his non-injured side. Holden was already on campus since he had a test this morning he couldn’t miss, and Art had been canceled. He’d used Hope’s car, and I’d ride with Rose this afternoon so I could get Colter situated.

“Your room is nice, Merbear.”

“Thanks. It’s not really my room, though. Hope took mine when she moved in.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. In the end, though, I’m kind of glad. If Holden and I hadn’t shared a bathroom, we might not have ended up here.”

“I don’t believe that. You two were destined.”

“Maybe. But I’m glad about how things turned out. I just wish you hadn’t gotten hurt.” I tilted my head up to look at him. Colter was already staring at me. He lifted his hand to cup my cheek, his thumb sweeping back and forth.

“I’d get hurt a million times if it meant you didn’t, Mer. You know, it’s funny. The doctor said if I’d been closer to the car, my injuries would’ve been more severe.”

My forehead creased. “Why were you so far away? Weren’t you getting in?”

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