Page 77 of Game On

Carly swallowed deeply, eyeing the glass of liquor. “It figures.”

“Let Asia handle it,” Matt said, tersely.

“No, Matt.” Carly had had it with him bossing everyone around. “They won’t let it go with just a statement. They’ll hound me for days. It’s okay. After what I just when through with Joel, what’s a little dustup with the paparazzi, right?” Carly forced a smile at the four men surrounding her like a group of warriors. She was alive. Joel was gone. And Shane loved her. Her smile became genuine as she realized she actually could face a room of reporters.

C.J. placed an arm over her shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze. “Atta girl, Aunt Carly,” he whispered before placing a kiss on her cheek.

With a decisive nod, Hank and C.J. headed out of the room. Matt stopped at the door, asking over his shoulder, “Do you love him, Carly?”

“A lot more than I love you right now,” she answered belligerently.

He turned his head and winked at her. “As it should be.”

“Oooh!” Carly tossed a pillow at him as he walked out of the door.

The game was in the third quarter by the time Carly made it to the hospital. Fortunately, the New Jersey detectives hadn’t asked too many questions. The occupants of the owner’s box were a different story, however. Everyone present wanted to know the details. Carly had spent an agonizing twenty minutes on the phone with Lisa reassuring her that she and Molly were fine. Molly was happily ensconced at the stadium, reveling in the attention. Earlier, Donovan relayed the news that Troy had sustained a concussion but no other head injuries. As Dr. Mittal predicted, he was being kept overnight in the local hospital for observation.

Carly knew where she needed to be.

Slipping into the darkened room, Carly stood inside the door, taking in the scene. Both Troy and Shane were lying in the hospital bed. With one hand propped behind his head and his feet crossed at the ankles, Shane’s oversized body didn’t look too comfortable hanging over the edge. The football game played on the TV with its sound muted, its light illuminating their faces. Troy’s eyes were closed. Shane touched a finger to his lips before sliding off the bed. Tucking his hands in the pockets of his shorts, he stopped in front of the door, leaving a foot of space between them.

“Hey there,” he whispered.

“Hey yourself.” Carly bit her lip, unsure why she was so nervous. “How is he?”

“Fortunately for him, he inherited the hard head of the Devlin men.” He laughed softly. “His ears will ring for a few days, but he should be fine otherwise. He doesn’t remember anything after lunch today, but the doctor said that should come back slowly.”

“It’s probably better he doesn’t remember.”

“And let Molly have all the glory? No way. He needs details to be big man on campus the first day of school.”

It was Carly’s turn to laugh. “I brought your overnight bag,” she said, placing the bag on an empty chair.

“They let you in the locker room?”

“I still have friends on the team. Mr. Potato Head threw two interceptions for touchdowns in the first quarter.”

“Yeah, how ’bout that,” Shane said, a slow, sexy grin crossing his face. He didn’t seem too concerned about his starting job at quarterback.

“I caught the press conference before the game,” he said. “That had to be hard for you, letting the media have a go at Darling Carly.” He reached over and ran his knuckles down her cheek.

“Actually, you’re the one getting all the press. You’ll be happy to know the Devil of the NFL is now officially a hero. Hank couldn’t be prouder.”

Shane laughed again as he put his hand back in his pocket. Carly wanted to hear his laugh over and over. Every day. She also wished he would take his hands out of his pockets and touch her again.

She wrung her hands, unsure what to say. “Shane, about before,” she began softly. He took a step forward, but still didn’t touch her.

“Were you . . . were you serious?” she asked.

“About which part?” he whispered, taking another step closer so his body was nearly flush with hers. She could feel the heat radiating off him. The scent that was uniquely Shane’s thrilled her senses. It was a comforting smell and it gave her the courage to continue.

“All of it. Especially the part about the baby?” His hands left his pockets as she spoke, creeping around her waist to pull her closer.

“Every word,” he breathed into her neck. “Especially the part about the baby.”

She turned her mouth toward his. “Even those three little words?” she spoke against his lips.

“Even those three little words,” he said before sealing his mouth to hers. Carly pressed her body against him, opening her mouth to his kiss. This was what she wanted. This man. This life. Forever.

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