Page 86 of Sack

“X-Ray showed no break, but I’ll have an MRI tomorrow to make sure no ligaments snapped.”

From the corner of his eye, he saw her flinch. “When I think of a sprained ankle, what comes to mind is when I fell down the stairs a few years ago and twisted mine. It was sore for a few days, tops. You guys take sprains to a whole new level.”

“I’m just glad it’s not broken.” He adjusted himself again, this time careful to hide his wince. His ankle was throbbing, and the cramped quarters were not doing him any favors. “With our bye the week after next, if I’m lucky, I’ll only miss one game.”

“Don’t go back too soon and risk permanent injury.”

“What I don’t want to risk is our standings. We have a bit of a cushion since we have no losses but if I’m gone too long that could get shot to hell.”

“You don’t know the team will lose the next few games.”

“You’re right, I don’t. Skalitzky, our second-string quarterback, is good, but he’s not used to playing under stressful situations. I also have to take into account that my winning streak may not last. We have a three-game lead in our division. We need to stay number one to guarantee a spot in the playoffs.”

“Then we need to concentrate on getting you better.”

“That’s the plan—following doctor’s orders and staying off my foot.”

“Then it’s a good thing you’ve got me.” She threw him a grin before turning her eyes back on the road.

He tipped his head back and closed his eyes again. “You’re better than Oz any day of the week.”

Ivy

Ivy pulled into Colt’s driveway, turned off the engine, and turned to her sleeping passenger. He looked so peaceful, she hated to wake him. His body, always a powerful force of energy, was relaxed in slumber as was his expression. His features were softened, giving him a boyish quality he never displayed while awake and the stress of his world weighed on his shoulders. She’d love to be able to take that stress away, but he was a man on a mission. And until he accomplished his goal, he would never find peace.

She just wished she knew what drove him so hard. Maybe then she would understand. But as things stood, she knew he would never make room for her in his life. At least not the kind she was growing to need. A fact, as she’d told Emerson earlier that day, she’d come to terms with over the past few weeks.

She was too attached and knew as the next couple of months went on, with games becoming more and more important, it would only get worse. And what about when the season ended? Would she get attentive Colt back for a brief time only to have him ripped away again once the next season started?

Rinse and repeat.

She didn’t think she was up for more of that and knew her heart definitely wasn’t. It’d been hard enough to keep fooling herself into believing she didn’t love distant Colt. It would be damn near impossible to keep fooling herself once attentive Colt rejoined the program.

Her mind was made up. She’d help him over this latest hurdle, and when he didn’t need her anymore, she was calling it quits. Maybe after a time they could be friends again, but for now she needed a clean break. A chance for her broken heart to mend.

Not wanting to startle him from sleep, she laid a hand on his forearm, to wake him. “Colt.”

His eyes snapped open, and he glanced around, disorientated.

“You’re home.”

He sat up straighter, wincing.

“Come on, let’s get you inside and put that foot up.”

Ivy got out of the car and around to his side first opening the rear door to grab his stuff before opening his to help him out. He was slow and a little awkward, but he managed to get out and situate himself on his crutches.

“Are the keys to the house in your bag?”

“Yeah. In the side pocket.”

It was slow going into the house, but she soon got him set up on the couch, his foot resting on the coffee table.

“Let me get you some ice.”

He leaned his head against the back of the sofa. “I’m sorry to put you through so much trouble.”

“Don’t worry about that. Just concentrate on getting better. Besides, the more I do for you now, the less time I’ll have to do it for.”

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