Page 210 of Vegas Heat

I know I should go home since that’s where my mother is, but as I leave the hospital with Cooper, I find that I don’twantto go home. I just want to feel the calming tranquility that I feel when I’m with the man I love. It feels like everything’s going to be okay, versus the complete opposite feeling when I’m in the same room as my mother.

And so I don’t go home.

Joanie forced me to leave after I went in to see him, citing my need for sleep as the reason. She said she’d stay with my father, and I could come back tomorrow once they got him out of recovery and into his own room.

Cooper agreed with her, and I knew they were both right.

Once I’m buckled in the passenger seat of Cooper’s truck, I text my mom to let her know the doctor said Troy is stable, and I leave it at that. I don’t tell her I’m leaving the hospital as I let Cooper take me to his home, where he plants me in a bathtub and slowly washes me by candlelight. It’s not for romance, but it’s exactly what I need to relax after the terrifying moments of tonight.

I haven’t been able to stop replaying the part in my mind when my dad just crumpled to the ground.

He’s such a strong man. Young and full of life, energetic and important. He’s not supposed to fall to the ground in pain. He’s supposed to stand tall like he always does, a pillar both in the Vegas community and the baseball community. He’s a legend.

And now, people will remember the moment when he grabbed his chest and collapsed. I’m certain that’s not how he’d want people to think of him, but it’s the image that keeps coming to my mind—at least for tonight, anyway.

He’s okay. He’s stable. The bypass was a success, and while there’s certainly a healing period, he’s on the road to recovery. He’ll know how to care for himself better now—weallwill, but I also know that the stress of his career will continue to stresshis heart to the point at which we may end up losing him far too early.

And that’s a terrifying thought to have.

“What are you thinking about?” Cooper asks me once we’re settled into his bed. He’s the big spoon as his front aligns with my back, his arms around me and his face near my neck. I’m wearing one of his old Dodger t-shirts, and it’s big enough that it feels like a nightgown. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so comfortable in my entire life as I am right in this moment.

I only wish that comfortable feeling extended to my mental state.

“About how my dad’s career is going to take him from me far too early,” I admit.

He presses a soft kiss to my neck. “I won’t let it.”

“You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.”

“Who says I can’t keep it?” he asks. “I heard what the doctor said. We all need to work together to reduce his stress, and I can help out on the field. You can help at home. You’re not losing your father, and I’m not losing my best friend.” His voice is fierce and determined.

“I don’t want you taking on the brunt of it and burning yourself out, either.”

“I won’t. I’ve got a gorgeous woman keeping me young, virile, and virtually stress-free since August. You know, barring a few instances.” He thrusts his hips against my ass.

“You think sex is going to keep the stress off?”

“It can’t hurt,” he points out.

I giggle, but it fades to serious pretty quickly as a sobering thought plays in my mind. “What about the club my father supposedly owns, then?”

“He’s stressed by the business side of it, not by the activity that may or may not happen inside it. But he already admitted to me a few weeks ago that he’s stepping back from the club abit once the season gets underway. He’s going to be the silent partner for a while. Besides, he and Joanie need to lay low since the news of their engagement will likely hit the media any time now.”

I wrinkle my nose at the idea of him and Joanienotlaying low. What exactly were they doing at his club?

Never mind. I don’t want to know.

When morning rolls around, Cooper offers to drive me home. After he makes me breakfast, I change back into the gown I wore to last night’s event even though I want to wear his shirt forever. He takes me home.

“Do you want to come in?” I ask once we pull into the circular drive.

“That’s a loaded question. I mean, I want to spend time with you, but your mom’s already suspicious of us. And I should get over to Mike’s place to see if there’s anything they need me working on before I head to the hospital to visit your dad.”

“I’ll see you there,” I say, and it’s an automatic response to lean in and press a soft kiss to his lips.

He leans his forehead to mine. “Love you, Sunshine.”

“Love you more, Captain.”

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