Page 103 of The Dating Pact

I know, babe. I miss you too.

A week later…

Brooke

Don’t panic. I’m fine.

No one in the history of ever has NOT panicked when someone says not to panic.

Brooke

I’m in the hospital.

I’m panicked. What happened?

Brooke

A little mishap on the farm. Gunner’s with me. I’m getting checked out to make sure my ankle isn’t broken.

I’m coming. I need to drop the kids off, and then I’ll be there.

Brooke

No. It’s fine. You don’t need to come.

Don’t tell me that.

I called Brooke, and she picked up immediately. “Don’t tell me you’re in the hospital and then not to come.”

“I’m fine, really.”

“And I really don’t give a shit.”

“Oooh, Daddy, you said?—”

I covered Amelia’s mouth with my palm so she couldn’t repeat the curse, and Brooke’s breathy laugh in my ear hit me at the same time a kid hit the ball out toward third base.

“Where are you?” Brooke asked, and I placed my elbows on my knees, holding my cell phone closer to my mouth as if that would help block out the sound.

As if I didn’t already know what she would say when I told her, “Sebastian’s baseball game. It’s his last one for the summer.”

“You definitely can’t come.”

“Br—”

“No. I’m fine. Really. Gunner’s here with me, and as soon as I talk to the doctor, I’ll text you.”

“I love you.”

“I know. I love you too.”

Hours later…

Brooke

Only a sprain. I have to stay off it as much as I can for two weeks, and I got a nice-looking little bootie to wear.

Thank god it’s not broken.

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