Page 75 of Shoot Your Shot

“Klay is FaceTiming me,” he utters, staring at his phone.

“Go on,” I say, smiling. “No time like the present to tell your little brother how things are going, you know.”

Kolt slides his finger across the phone, and Klay’s handsome face comes on the screen.

“Why the fuck are you in the dark?” He grins. “I can hardly see you.” He moves closer. “The fuck are you wearing?”

Kolt squirms in his pajamas beside me. “Today was Christmas tree day, and—”

“You’re watchingElf, wearing matching pajamas, like a couple of nutjobs,” he says, still smiling. “Is that the side of your wife’s head that I’m seeing?”

Poking my face in front of the phone, I wave. “Hey, Klay.”

“Hey, sis.” His smile reaches his eyes, and he runs his hand over the top of his head. “About time you two figured your shit out. Holy shit, I might shed a tear, just looking at you guys right now.”

I glance at Kolt, who nods and says, “Yeah, yeah. We know.”

“Seriously, when did this happen?” Klay asks, happy yet confused. “I knew she was taking care of you while you healed, but I had no idea she was …taking care of you while you healed.” He pauses, his eyes widening. “Wait, does this mean she’ll be at family Christmas this year?”

Kolt gives me a side-eye, a knowing smirk teasing at his lips. “I don’t know. Ask her.”

“I’ll be there.” I nod, grinning big. “Wouldn’t miss another.”

He seems pleased with that answer and gives me a cheesy thumbs-up. “Good. Sucked with just grouchy balls there last year. He didn’t even wear a Christmas sweater.”

I laugh, knowing damn well the only reason why Kolt ever wore a hideous sweater to Christmas was because I’d made him. So, of course, when I wasn’t around, he wouldn’t willingly do it.

“I’ll pick out the gaudiest, homeliest, loudest sweater for him this year to make up for it.” I wink. “I got you, brother.” Scootching to the edge of the couch, I wave. “I’ve got to pee. I’ll let you two—the grump and the sunshine boy—catch up.”

I head toward the bathroom and glance back at Kolt on the couch. I have to stifle the snort that comes from me at the sight of him in his pajamas. It’s a good thing he’s a confident dude because not many men would wear matching PJs with their wife and FaceTime with their brother.

Listening to them talk about Klay’s season and Kolt’s recovery sends a warm sensation through my chest. Even though I’m fortunate enough to have an amazing family of my own, Kolt’s family is as much my family too. And I missed them all. So much.

“Are you nervous?” Paige whispers, squeezing my hand and resting her head on my shoulder.

I know she’s keeping her voice low so that Coach doesn’t feel uncomfortable. I figured him coming here today made the most sense. That way, we could all be here, in one room. When I get the news for what comes next, good or bad, he’ll be here to hear it from the horse’s mouth. The horse being my doctor.

Glancing down at her, I wink. “Nah. It’s all good.” I inhale, knowing that’s bullshit.

Of course I’m anxious because any second now, the doctor is going to come in and read all the results from my tests. If he tells me my heart is still fucked, I can’t go back to work. But if he tells me my heart is healed … I have to make a decision about what I want to do, moving forward.

Paige is right; I could get hit in the same spot again. Could my heart really take that? I don’t know. I know no matter what, she’ll be beside me. Paige would never make me walk away from hockey, even if that meant she had to continue sitting in the stands, scared at every game. But do I really want that for her?

Shit, do I really want that for myself?

“It’s okay to be nervous, baby,” she says softly, her eyes filled with empathy. “Just remember, one day at a time. And one step at a time.”

“Thanks.” I blink a few times, giving her a tiny smile. “Love you.”

“Love you more.”

There’s a slight knock at the door before it pushes open, and in walks the doctor with his clipboard. First, he bobs his head at Coach, greeting him before shifting his gaze toward us.

When he holds his hand out, Paige unlinks hers from mine so that I can shake his hand.

“Mr. Kolburne, how are you feeling?” He gives my hand a firm shake before moving to Paige and giving hers a small one.

“I feel good,” I say honestly. “Have for a while now.”

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