Page 144 of Play Book

He frowns. “I’ll take care of it.”

He and Grim leave the room, and I look over at Saylor. The doctor has given instructions and has also left, so now it’s just the three of us. As much as I hate to do it, I need a minute with Saylor.

“Ally.” I clear my throat. “Do you think?—”

“You need alone time.” She nods. “Got it. I’m good.” She ambles out into the corridor without another word, and I stare after her for a second, confused. When did the most hormonal kid in L.A. suddenly become cool, calm, and collected?

I’ll think about that later.

Right now, I need to talk to Saylor.

“How are you doing, baby?” I ask, reaching for her hand.

She closes her fingers around mine.

“I’m okay. Especially now that you’re here.”

That’s good to hear.

“Look at your neck.” I reach out to gently stroke my fingers along the bruises that are already turning purple. “God, I want to hit him again.”

“It’s okay. You got to me in time.”

“I wish I’d been there sooner.” I shake my head. “I stopped for flowers.”

She smiles. “Where are they?”

“Still in the car. Why?”

“You can bring them to me. I like flowers.”

“I know. That’s why I bought them.”

“Why were you bringing me flowers?”

I meet her gaze directly. “I was coming to get you. Both literally and figuratively.”

“You were?” She frowns. “I thought…well, I thought you were focused on Ally.”

“I’m a thousand percent focused on Ally. But that doesn’t mean I can’t focus on you too. Just a little bit less until the playoffs are over. I meant to tell you that the night we ended things, but you broke up with me before I could explain what I was thinking.”

“I wanted…” She chews her lip. “I wanted to make it easy for you. How do you choose between a woman you’re falling in love with and a kid who has no one else? But Ally needed someone—or maybe a few someones—to have her back.”

“Oh, baby.” I lean forward, resting my elbows on the edge of the bed next to her. “I’m sorry things got so complicated. Because here’s the thing. I’m not falling in love with you anymore. I am in love with you. The timing sucks, and I know I’m not great at this relationship stuff, but?—”

“Canyon.” She reaches out and puts a finger on my lips, shushing me. “Stop saying that. You’re a great boyfriend. You just saved my life. You’re always here when I need you. I don’t need a different kind of boyfriend. I just need you.”

“I’ve almost beaten two men to death in my life,” I say, meeting her gaze. “I wouldn’t blame you if that scares you.”

“Scares me?” She reaches up, pulling my face close to hers. “You saved my life. You protected Ally from something horrible. I’d love you less if you’d just stood by and waited for someone else to do something. Seriously. I love everything about you, Canyon Marks. Every single thing.”

“You are truly a woman like no other,” I whisper, touching my forehead to hers.

We’re quiet for a few minutes, just taking it all in and letting a sense of peace wash over us.

“Things are going to be rough for a while,” I say finally, brushing my fingers along her cheek. “Between the playoffs and Ally, I’m not going to have a lot of time for romance until summer. But I love you. More than anything. And I want us to start building a life together.”

“I don’t need romance. Like I said, all I need is you.”

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