Page 24 of Gossip Game

“You handled that well,” Asia said as they exited the elevator, taking them to the stadium’s private suites. “I know it wasn’t easy.”

He didn’t bother to answer, afraid that he might take out his frustrations on the woman who’d had his back the previous season. Especially when the media were piling on.

“Thank you for doing this today,” she continued, her trendy sneakers squeaking on the concrete floor.

“I’ll do anything for the kids. Especially the sick ones.” He shifted one of the game balls from one hand to the other. Most guys would hold on to a keepsake from a monumental game. But Noah knew the ball would do more good to a kid recovering from a heart transplant than it would sitting in a dusty display case.

“Charlotte is already inside.” She handed him a surgical mask. “Dalton is vulnerable to germs. He’s also a bit worn out from all the excitement of the day. His mom asks that we keep this brief.”

“I should have skipped the presser,” he murmured as he secured the mask over his mouth.

Asia laughed. “If only.”

Noah was prepared for a subdued mood to greet him when he entered the suite. The little boy still wasn’t out of the woods. He should have known that wouldn’t be the case with Charlotte there. Despite her leather pants and willowy peasant blouse, she was on the floor with Dalton on her lap. The two were playing a game on her phone. Beside her, a girl who appeared to be about middle school age sat hanging on every word Charlotte said, a worshipful look in her eyes.

“Here he is,” Charlotte exclaimed. “The man destined to be named the player of the week.” Her eyes were smiling as she led the room in applause.

Dalton gingerly rose from her lap and extended his fist for a bump. “I knew you could do it,” the little boy said. “You’re going to be the MVP for sure this year.”

Noah’s throat grew tight. It was humbling to have this kid believing in him with such blind faith. This is what it is all about, he thought. This right here.

He crouched down on his haunches. “Well, that would be cool, wouldn’t it? I’ll do my best. But you have to promise to do what the doctors and your parents say so you can come to the ceremony with me.”

Dalton’s brown eyes went wide. “Really?”

“Really.” Noah bumped the kid’s fist again. “And to seal the deal, I brought you a game ball. How do you want it signed?”

They spent ten more minutes with Dalton and his family before Asia herded them toward the elevator.

“It’s time for your press conference, little man,” she said.

Dalton looked up at Noah with pure delight in his eyes. “I’m going to be on TV,” he said.

“Try not to get nervous up there,” Noah advised. “Just pretend they’re all in their underwear.”

The little boy belly laughed. His parents thanked both Noah and Charlotte for meeting with their kids.

Charlotte tousled Dalton’s hair. “Next time I’m in town, I need some Minecraft tips. You play better than anyone I know.”

The doors to the elevator headed to the players’ exit opened first. Asia inclined her head in that direction.

“That’s your ride,” she said to Noah. “Remember, just smile and walk.”

Noah followed Charlotte into the elevator, where both shed their masks as soon as the doors closed. Charlotte gulped in a breath. Then another before bending over at the waist.

“Hey, are you okay?” He laid a hand against her back.

She trembled beneath his palm. Then he heard the sobs. He punched the stop button, causing the elevator to lurch to a halt. No way was he going to let the media see her like this.

“Shh.” He gathered her up in his arms. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not,” she cried. “He’s just a little boy. It’s not fair.”

It wasn’t fair. But then Noah already knew life wasn’t fair. He tucked his hand beneath her long hair and skimmed his palm along her back. Her eyes were shining when she looked up at him.

“It just as easily could be Grayson or Vivian needing a transplant,” she said between gasps.

Her devotion to her niece and nephew was endearing. Noah pulled her into his arms. “But it’s not either of them. And even if it were, they’d survive.”

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