Page 67 of Shot Through the Heart

“Dominik just texted me that they’ve finished the game. A few of the guys are coming over to wait with us,” Lilly offers, nodding her thanks at Ari for the coffee.

“Did they win?” Ari huffs before Lilly can answer her. “The Bobcats better have won because losing with a man down is just salt in the wound.”

Lilly smiles, though it’s pulled tight. “Yes, they won. The asshat who rammed into Grey was ejected from the game too.”

“Hope that dipshit gets suspended,” Ari grumbles and I find myself agreeing with her.

Fighting is a part of the game. But the whistle was blown. From the stands, it was clear that Greyson was pissed at the guy who knocked over Dean, but he was keeping it relatively cool. The player who went full speed into Grey with his stick to the jaw crossed a line.

The two of them pass the time with mindless chatter while we wait. Almost an hour later, Dominik and Landon show up with food for all of us.

“Where’s Dean?” Ari asks while shoving a French fry in her mouth. In the short time I’ve known her, I already know that she could survive off anything made from a potato.

“He hung back to get an update on any further action being taken against the guy who hit Grey. He should be here soon. I think Coach said he was gonna come by as well.”

My heart swells as I look around at the support system Grey has built for himself.

During our holiday away, he opened up about what it’s been like for him over the past five years. How he shut himself off and didn’t let anyone get close. The only reason he went out with the guys that he did was because Landon and their coach feel that bonding time is important.

He told me that before I showed up, he couldn’t remember the last time he laughed, let alone smiled. He damn near broke my heart with that admission.

However, looking around the room, it’s clear that the people who have truly been in his corner saw the light inside him. They were willing to ignore the thorns that he encased himself with as if the prick to the finger would be worth the pain.

After another thirty minutes of waiting, I decide to go find the nurse and ask for an update myself. I’m approaching the information desk when a familiar voice stops me in my tracks.

“You have no right to be here.” Kelly Moreno sneers from a few feet away, forcing hospital staff to move around her.

“Pretty sure you have that backwards,” I tell her and move to go around her, but she just sidesteps and blocks me. Crossing my arms, I stare back at her. “Greyson told you to leave.”

“My son is in the hospital. I am exactly where I should be.”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, because we know from experience that hospitals bring out the best in you.”

“How dare you!” Kelly gasps, literally clutching her pearls.

“Look, I don’t have the energy to deal with you. Greyson told you to leave, so maybe for once in your life, listen to him.” I try to step around her, but she once again blocks my path.

“He is my son. Mothers always know what is best for their children, and that’s exactly what I’m doing by making sure you and that spawn don’t ruin his life.”

I close the distance between us, getting up in her face but making sure not to touch her. She’s definitely the kind of person who would cry assault if I so much as poked her.

“Don’t you dare mention my daughter. You don’t even deserve the right to think about her.” I seethe, taking joy in the way she flinches away at my words. “As for Greyson, you have never had his best interests in mind. You have only ever done what you thought worked out best foryou. I don’t know what you hoped to gain by my absence, but until Greyson himself tells me to leave, I will be right by his side.”

I turn on my heel, deciding I’ll find another nurse’s station to help me out so that I’m not wasting my breath on pointless conversations.

Except Kelly has other ideas.

“My son comes from money. He is meant to be with?—”

“Don’t even fucking think about finishing that sentence.” I whirl around and stare at her in disgust. “Grey has never cared about money. He has no interest in your lifestyle. At all. If he were here, he’d tell you to take his inheritance and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.”

Kelly sneers at me, unfazed by my words.

“That doesn’t matter. I’m here now and you need to leave.”

“Like hell I will.”

She smirks and my heart sinks at the sight.

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