Page 17 of Shoot Your Shot

“You all right?” Paige whispers behind me, pushing the wheelchair I’m in.

“Just ready to get the fuck out of here,” I grumble. “I hate this shit.”

She surprises me when her hand pats my shoulder softly, and I feel that one fucking touch everywhere. For a second, it feels like we’re our normal selves again. Almost.

“I know,” she says gently, and when she lifts her hand from my shoulder, I instantly miss her touch. “I know you do.”

When we get to the end of the hallway, I’m just starting to think I’m finally in the clear of thissorry you’re hurt, but we love youcheering shit, but when the doors slide open, I see the front of the hospital is lined with Bay Sharks and fans too.

“Sorry,” Paige says in my ear. “I swear, I didn’t tell anyone when you were going to be discharged. I knew you wouldn’t want all the fuss.” She gives my shoulder a slight squeeze. “Think of it this way: you’re loved.”

“Fuck love,” I utter.

I know I’m being a dick. But I don’t want my teammates to see me as anything less than they usually do. Someone they know not to fuck with. Someone who’s always had their back. A dude who’s good under pressure when his back is against the wall.

Not someone with a weak heart, being pushed out by his estranged wife because she feels fucking sorry for him. I’m not stupid. I know that’s the only reason why she’s here.

If it wasn’t for Amelia running up to me first, I probably would have leaped out of the wheelchair and stormed to the car. But when I see her, I push myself up from the chair and kneel down in front of her.

Her tiny arms wrap around my neck. “Uncle Kolty, you scared me.” She sniffles, squeezing my neck tighter. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

I hold on to her for a minute, patting her back. “Oh, yeah, I’m going to be just fine.”

Releasing me, she looks at me, her large blue eyes swollen with tears. “Promise?”

My heart feels like it’s being squeezed by the world’s strongest hand, but I nod, swiping a tear from her cheek. “I promise.”

She peeks behind me at Paige, suddenly looking bashful. “Hi,” Amelia says sweetly, looking down at her feet shyly for a split second before glancing back at Paige. “Are you Uncle Kolty’s nurse?”

I can’t see Paige’s face, but I bet there’s a stunned look on her face as she tries to decide her next move. It’s been a long time since she’s seen Amelia. And given how young Amelia was when she left, she doesn’t remember Paige.

She clears her throat awkwardly. “I’m … actually a friend of his.”

“I thought I knew all your friends,” Amelia says to me. “But she’s pretty.”

I chuckle at her honesty before changing the subject and nodding toward the small stuffed animal I gave her. “You left the huge one at home?”

Her eyes widen. “Daddy wouldn’t bring it. He said it’s too big.”

“Course he did,” I say, rolling my eyes dramatically. “No fun, is he?”

“Yeah, right. Itistoo big,” Logan mutters from behind her before he grins at me. “How you doing, you studly man you?”

Slowly, I stand, trying to hide my lightheadedness from just the action of standing up.

He pulls me against him for a second before he nods toward Paige. “Hey, Paige. Good to see you. How are you?”

“I’m good,” she says quickly. “Amelia has grown so much!”

“She has,” Logan agrees, sounding bummed. “Gonna sound like a total dad, but it doesn’t take long.”

“I bet,” Paige utters sweetly before touching my arm. “Hey, I’ll go get the car and bring it closer.”

I’m not surprised she’s trying to get out of here suddenly when I notice the rest of my team all waiting to greet me. I’m sure she doesn’t know what the heck to do right now because shit between us is complicated.

When she passes by me, heading toward the parking lot, she lifts her hand up to my team, but darts past before anyone can pull her aside. I get a perfect look at her plump ass through her leggings, and, fuck, some things don’t change. Of course, Logan is quick to distract me.

“Stop checking out your wife’s ass,” he murmurs. “And you didn’t answer me. How the hell are you?”

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