Page 106 of Double Play

Cheetah sucks in a loud breath. “Holy shit. That’s the hottest nurse I’ve ever seen. I think I once saw a porn that started just like this.”

Dr. Alexander throws an unimpressed look Cheetah’s way. “This isDoctorHarley Lawrence Cooper. She’s a heart surgeon. Averygood one.” He scowls at Cheetah.

She smiles in a way that tells me she gets this kind of reaction all the time. “I was paged, Dr. Alexander?”

He nods. “Yes. Thank you for coming,Dr.Cooper.” Again, he scowls at Cheetah for a moment before turning back to her. “The patient was greatly agitated, and his heart rate was spiking to concerning levels. He seems to have calmed down now though.”

She nods. “Why don’t I just take a quick look to make sure everything is in working order?”

Cheetah interrupts, “He pulled his groin muscle. You should check there too.”

Everyone collectively yells, “Cheetah!”

Dr. Cooper simply glances at Cheetah as she begins to look through a clipboard at the foot of my bed. “Hi, Layton. As Dr. Alexander mentioned, I’m Dr. Cooper. I believe you all know my sister.”

Cheetah shakes his head. “I don’t know anyone that looks like you, but I’d love an introduction.”

Ezra smacks him in the arm. “Be quiet, dickhead.”

Dr. Cooper does her best to hide her smile. “Reagan Lawrence Daulton. She’s my sister.”

I nod. “I met your mom a few weeks ago. Come to think of it, you look a lot like her. You don’t look anything like Reagan though.”

She sighs. “Yep, we get that a lot.”

Cheetah asks, “Your mom looks like you? Is she available?”

Ezra hits him again.

Dr. Cooper lets out a small laugh. “Sorry, she’sverytaken.”

Arizona and I exchange amused looks, both remembering when we saw them being completely taken in the closet at theSports Illustratedparty.

Cheetah lifts an eyebrow. “And you? Are you taken, Dr. Cooper?”

She holds up her left hand, wiggling her ring-covered finger. “Alsoverytaken.”

He mumbles, “Lucky fuckers.”

After reviewing my file, she checks something on the machines and then pulls out her stethoscope and listens to my heart. “Layton, try to remain calm. Your body just endured a considerable trauma. If I see any more significant spikes, we’re going to have to sedate you.”

“I was upset about something. I’m okay now. It won’t be a problem. I don’t want to be sedated. Please.”

Dr. Alexander thanks Dr. Cooper and she leaves. He then turns back to me. “I’ll check on you in a couple of hours. In the meantime, Nurse Edna will stop by in a few moments to clean you up.”

“Thanks, Dr. Alexander.”

Dr. Alexander leaves the room and closes the door behind him.

Cheetah scrunches his face. “Nurse Edna? Are you getting a sponge bath from an eighty-year-old grandma? How about Dr. Cooper gives the sponge baths? I could use one from her.”

Tanner rolls his eyes as he approaches the bed. He pinches his lips together, clearly trying to contain his emotions. Placing his hand on my shoulder, he says, “I’m so sorry this happened Layton, but you’re strong. You’ll bounce back better than ever.”

We both know his words are hollow. I will definitely not be better than ever.

“Thanks.”

“The play you made at the plate was incredible. Few athletes in the world could have made it. You’re a legend in this sport, whether or not you pick up a bat again. Don’t ever forget it.”

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