Page 167 of Miami Ice

“Thank you. I know that wasn’t easy for you,” I say. Then I clear my throat. “Did you get my phone?”

“Yes,” Ella says, reaching for her purse and rifling through it. She picks it up and hands it to me, but I wave it away.

“I need for you to do something for me. We have to help Beckham.”

“What do you mean?” she asks, furrowing her brow.

“He had a game tonight, and he refused to go,” I explain. “You know how athletes rarely get to miss games. Usually, it’s like a birth or death. And with his previous reputation in Denver, he’s risked a lot to be here for me tonight.”

Fury flashes in Ella’s eyes. “Oh my God! His girlfriend was in a serious accident, where else would he be?”

“I know, I agree with you. But we need to get the team to see this was serious and get the public on our side. And I need your help with that.”

“You name it. It’s stupid we have to even do this in the first place, but I’ll do anything to help Becks.”

I smile. I knew Ella would come through for me. I tell her my plan and give her the password to my phone.

“On it,” she says. “And Georgie?”

“Yes?”

“This will work. Even if the Manatees coaching staff and front office have a problem, what you’re going to do will get social media on your side. They don’t stand a chance against the Goodwin twins.”

I smile at her.

And pray that she’s right.

* * *

By the time I’ve been moved into a private room, more people have shown up at the hospital. Jordan came to see me and support Ella. A tearful Chloe came, too, vowing I’m never to walk on stairs again.

And by my side during all of it was Beckham, who reappeared less than an hour after being told to eat and only left me to use the restroom.

Right now, it’s back to me, Ella, and Beckham. Jordan took my key and went to retrieve Winston and take him back to the apartment. Chloe went home and promised to be at my house tomorrow to help with anything. Ella told me Becca texted back asking what she could do to help. Emilee is with her family in Orlando, but said she’d be in the rotation as soon as she’s back in Miami.

I frown. The only person Ella hasn’t heard back from is Scarlett, because she would have told me if she did.

I wonder if Scarlett thinks Beckham should have played tonight. After all, she grew up in an old-school hockey household.

“Are you okay?” Beckham asks.

I blink. He must have detected my frown.

“I think I need some caffeine. Would you please get me a peppermint latte?” I ask him.

Beckham, still holding my hand, leans over and presses another kiss on my forehead. “Yes, I’ll get you one.”

Then he rises and looks over at my sister. “Do you want anything, Ella?”

“I’d love a vanilla latte. Thank you.”

He nods. “I’ll be right back.”

As soon as he leaves, Ella brightens. “That was the money shot we needed!” she says excitedly. “I got it!”

“So you can put up the post now?” I ask.

She frowns. “The only thing is, Mom and Dad will probably get wind of it. I just thought of that. They’ll be pissed they’re hearing about it secondhand on Connectivity.”

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