Page 173 of Puck Prince

After almost destroying the hospital dessert buffet, they all start making their way past the media and out to their cars. But Miles hangs back.

“You’re putting on a good face, but you can tell me if you need anything.” He reaches to squeeze my shoulder, but stops when he sees the sling. “Alisha and I just want to help.”

“Thanks,” I tell him. “Right now we just need to get better and get out of here. I’m exhausted.”

“All the visitors probably don’t help.” He looks towards the waiting room. “Is anyone else coming by?”

I check the clock on the wall. Visiting hours are almost over. I saw Kennedy sneak out five minutes ago. Coach said he’d be back in the morning. The team has already dropped in. The only other person I can think of is Summer.

Just as her name crosses my mind, she texts me.

Summer:I’m looking for a sitter, I want to come see you.

And I want the twenty-four hour news cycle to get a life and stay out of mine, but we don’t always get what we want. There’s no way in hell I’m letting my sister near this place with the cameras stationed outside.

Owen:It’s not safe, Summer.

Summer:It’s a hospital, Owen.

Owen:This place is crawling with reporters. One pretended to be Callie’s cousin to get inside earlier. You’re not coming here.

Thankfully, security dragged the lying schmuck out before I ran into him. I would’ve gladly fucked up my other shoulder to teach him a lesson about minding his own business.

Everything I’ve put Callie through the last few weeks was to protect Summer. If Summer comes here and gets found out by her ex, it will have all been for nothing.

Owen:I’ll keep you updated. I promise. I love you.

“Everything okay?” Miles asks.

“Fine.” I shove my phone in my pocket. “Visiting hours are almost over. I think the parade is done for today.”

He glances at my phone. “Who was that?”

“My sister. She wants to visit, but I told her to stay home. She’s the last thing I need right now.”

“Are you two not close?”

“No, we are. We—” I sigh. “She’s got a lot of shit of her own to deal with right now, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to cross pollinate our drama right now.”

“Family,” he breathes, shaking his head. “Well, I’ll get out of your hair, too. But if you ever need a strong line of defense between you and visitors—family, reporters, teammates—give me a call.”

He leaves, but his words ring in my ears.

I’m not the one who needs a strong line of defense. It’s Callie and Summer who need help. Because of me.

Summer’s personal life could blow up the second someone finds out she’s related to me. Her ex would probably scurry out of whatever hole he crawled in just to soak up his fifteen minutes.

Callie moved to Houston to get away from her past, but now it’s following her around because of me. The only reason her ex showed up in that cafe today was because she was photographed on my arm and at my games. She was stalked because of me.

She was also almost killed because of me.

I pull the sonogram picture out of my pocket and stare down at it. My heart squeezes in my chest.

This has to stop.

“Mr. Sharpe?” I turn to see Callie’s nurse cutting across the cafeteria towards me. Worst case scenarios flash in my mind as I stand up, limping towards her. “It’s Callie.”

“What is it? Is she okay?”I knew I shouldn’t have left her.

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