Page 73 of Worth the Risk

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t. At least I don’t think so? I swear I heard someone talking.”

“Well, you were muttering something in your sleep, but I don’t know what.”

“I don’t talk in my sleep.”

“Okay. But you absolutely do.”

Luca rubs his eyes before looking at me. “How are you feeling?”

“Alright. My hand really hurts.”

“I’d expect it does. The wound was deep enough you needed some internal sutures, as well as a shitload of external ones.”

“How many?”

“I don’t know how many internal ones, but the doctors said they did close to twenty externally.”

“Why am I still here? If it was just stitches, why couldn’t I leave?”

Luca chuckles. “You wouldn’t stay awake. Even though you claimed you didn’t have a head injury, they were apprehensive about letting you go. Plus Claire’s apartment is a crime scene, so you couldn’t go back there anyway. I got us a room at the hotel. As soon as you’re cleared, we can go there.”

“Don’t you have a game tonight?”

“No. Your uncle pulled some strings and had them put me in as a healthy scratch so I could stay with you.”

“Won’t that cause more issues with Woodward?” I ask.

“At this point, I don’t care. They can drop me today. If last night was the last time I played professional hockey, so be it. There are so many other things that are worth my time. Never thought I’d say that, but a little Georgia Peach steamrolled into my life and taught me what’s truly important,” Luca tells me, a hint of a smile on his face as he brings my hand to his lips and kisses is reverently. “Besides, someone has to help you right now. I’ll have you know, I’m an excellent sponge bath giver.”

“Exactly what I wanted to hear, Santzy,” my uncle says dryly from the doorway, an expression of mild disdain on his face. “Hey, kiddo. Sorry I couldn’t be here earlier. Coach wasn’t exactly kosher about Luca being gone today.”

I turn to Luca, worry etched in my expression. “I’ll be fine. Just go. I don’t want him doing anything else that could cause problems for you.”

“No, I’m not leaving you, Hannah. I don’t care what Woodward does. I don’t even know if he actually has a tape to release.”

“I’m worried about other things he could do, Luca. Ways to make you pay.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know!” I shout, exasperated. “He’s slicker than pig snot on a radiator! I don’t trust a damn thing that comes from that man.”

“I’m sorry — slicker than what now?” Luca asks.

Uncle Bennett chuckles. “It means he’s a snake.”

I pout. “My expression is better.”

“I know you think that kiddo, but you’re not in Georgia anymore. Some of those more regional sayings need to be left at the border.”

“Seriously, slicker than pig snot? Is that what you said?” Luca asks, his face screwing up adorably as he visualizes it.

“Slicker than pig snot on a radiator. It’s a fine saying, and y’all should use it more. Perfectly defines Woodward. He’s a shady person, and I don’t trust him at all.”

Uncle Bennett clears his throat. “Hannah, do you have any reason to believe that your ex-boyfriend may have been in cahoots with Coach Woodward?”

“I wouldn’t think so. They don’t exactly run in the same circle,” I respond.

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