Page 26 of Hard to Break

Being with him, I enjoyed not having to watch myself. Miles himself told me he likes me when I let my guard down.

But this was a reminder that even if Miles wasn’t going to judge me or hurt me, there were still forces out there in the world that could hurt us.

Nova approaches with her phone. “Harrison wants to know if Miles is okay.”

“Tell him…” I search my mind for an answer that will put his mind at ease and is more or less true. “It was probably too much to drink after a busy day.”

My friend types and hits Send. “Harrison says he’s sending a limo and booked a private suite for him to recover, plus medical staff to keep an eye on him for the next forty-eight hours.”

Gratitude fills me.

I accept the water from the nurse and run it back into Miles. He’s already sleeping, so I set it on the table next to him before returning to my friend to watch through the doorway.

Nova steps closer.

“I’m sorry.” Her whisper makes me hiccup a shaky breath.

“Thanks.” I lean my head on her shoulder.

I’m tough. Still, it’s one thing to deal with problems yourself and another to watch someone you care about go through them.

“Miles wouldn’t take drugs. Everyone knows that.” Nova’s voice has a strange lift to it, as though it’s a question and not a statement.

My chest tightens as staff and equipment continue to fly past us.

“Everyone knows it,” I echo.

8

MILES

HOOPSNEWS UPDATE: GARRETT RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL AFTER ALL-STAR GAME AMIDST RUMORED DRUG USE

“Ipromise I’m not lying in a ditch, Grams,” I insist over the phone. “I’m fine. Good as new.”

“But HoopsNews said?—”

“Don’t listen to that crap. I’ll come visit tonight. We’ll play Monopoly and you can finally sell me Indiana Avenue.”

She chuckles, and for a moment, it’s as if she’s here at the practice facility with me. “I’m grateful Brooke was with you.”

My chest twinges. “Me too.”

I’m thinking back to that night. Too much of it is hazy, and my regret deepens.

“Miles. Doctor’s here to see you,” one of the trainers says from the doorway of the locker room.

“I heard that,” Grams says over the line.

“Abundance of caution and all that. I’m healthy as ever. Promise.” I say goodbye and click off.

I go to review my reports with the doctor and one of the assistant trainers—a fit guy named Josh I haven’t worked with much before—and do some physical tests.

“This really necessary?” I grunt as I lift progressive weights while Josh watches and the doctor makes notes on his tablet.

“Unfortunately.” He grimaces. “I get it. When I was injured at division finals for high school, it felt like all I did were tests.”

“Yeah? How’d that work out?”

---