Page 8 of Heart of a Fighter

A surge of irritation whips through me. Daniel has no business scolding me about what I do on or off the ice. My temper burns hotter on the ice, but we’re all ramped up on adrenaline during a game. I’m not looking for a fight. I’m delivering justice when and where it’s necessary. Too many guys play dirty, and I’m not letting them get away with it.

Once Daniel’s cleared the room, Lauren looks at me. Her eyes have lost their spark, sending my gut spiraling.

“This was a mistake. We shouldn’t be doing this,” she says so softly, it’s barely a whisper. “We got caught up in the moment, and I can’t afford to lose this internship opportunity.”

I approach her, the noisy locker room chatter across the hall barely registering. The pain lacing through my head increases with each pounding heartbeat. I can’t be this close to perfection and allow it to slip away.

“This isn’t something I can ignore, Lauren.” The more I want her, the more complicated things get. “Not when everything in me is drawn to you. I came here to tell you that yesterday, but then–”

I trail off and reach for her, gently touching her arm. Our eyes lock, and I see the same turmoil in her eyes that I feel inside myself.

“I feel the same way. It’s been like that for me since we first met when Zach joined the team.” Her eyes soften. “We can’t just do what we want––not when so much more is riding on this. I could lose the internship if we get caught.” She frowns. “And how am I supposed to explain this to Zach?”

Her shoulders sag a little, deflating under the weight of the complicated mess we’ve unleashed between us. This is my fault, and maybe I should have thought it through rather than plowing straight ahead, but damn, I’m not about to let Lauren slip away.

“Growing up, my dad’s expectations were always there, looming over me like a dark cloud. I was told to play fair, take it on the chin when things were unfair, do the right thing, even when others didn’t.”

“That sounds tough.” She rests her hand on my arm and gently squeezes, understanding etched in her eyes.

“It was,” I admit. “I’ve always struggled with authority, especially when things feel out of balance. No one should dictate how another person feels or reacts in a situation, especially where a person’s heart is concerned. Sometimes, you have to fight to tip the scales in your favor.”

“I’m not like you. I can’t just make things up as I go along.” She inhales deeply and releases my arm. It feels like I’m losing her before I ever even had her. “If what we feel is real, eight to ten weeks won’t change things.”

I clench my jaw, wrestling with the desire to defy the constraints. But I see her point. What she’s suggesting is reasonable. It’ll give me time to prove that I’m in control of my temper. And there won’t be any women adding to the womanizing reputation the tabloids love to splash across the sports page.

“All right. We’ll see where we stand after your internship.” I growl and pull her in for another quick, hard kiss. “But I’m not giving up. I’m a fighter, remember?”

“And I’m worth the wait,” she whispers.

Damn right, she is.

CHAPTER 4

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?

***

Lauren

After spending a long week at the arena, it’s good to be back at the children’s hospital, spending time with some of my favorite patients. My schedule’s usually pretty packed with nursing school and volunteering. With everything bubbling below the surface with Granger, I’m glad to have the distraction––even if that distraction is a sweet little girl going through another round of chemotherapy.

Emily, my patient for the evening, is an avid hockey fan. She’s also bright, funny, and wise beyond her years. Despite her illness, she has an amazing, positive attitude. Since I have connections with the Saints through Zach, Emily’s care team chose me from the volunteer nursing pool. When her chemo treatments coincide with a Saints game, Emily and I bond while her parents take a much-deserved break away from the hospital.

Emily settles in for her treatment, and I do my best to keep her comfortable and distracted. We snuggle up with her favorite blanket and tune into the Saints’ game. Her eyes light up as she watches the players glide across the ice, swerving and zigzagging the puck toward the goal.

“Did you see that pass?” Her face breaks into a wide smile as she points at the screen. “That was amazing.”

“They’ve been working on their passing drills a lot lately.” I nod, eyes glued to the screen.

“You’re so lucky you get to work there,” Emily says. “Don’t you just love it?”

“Uh, huh. I do, but I’ll only be there for a few weeks.” As grateful as I am for the opportunity to broaden my nursing skills, I miss my younger patients. They are at the heart of my love for nursing. “Then I’ll be back here again with you.”

I dot her nose with my fingertip, and we continue watching the game. Emily calls plays like a seasoned super fan. She talks animatedly, excited when a play goes the Saints’ way. At one point, a player on the opposing team takes a swing at one of our guys and gets sent to the penalty box.

“You can’t just go around punching people. You big meanie,” Emily balls her hand into a fist and shakes it in the air. “He got what he deserved.

“I wholeheartedly concur,” I agree, relieved that no one on the Saints were penalized. “Let’s hope they all keep their cool tonight.”

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