Page 119 of Cross Check Hearts

She laughs softly, then draws back a bit, swiping at her tears as she looks me in the eyes. “But what about whatever this is? What will happen if I’m sick?”

I shake my head. “We’ll deal with it, whatever it might be. I’m not leaving your side, now or ever. Do you understand me?”

Her breath hitches, and she nods. “Thank you.”

She melts into me again, clutching at my back and shoulders, and I stroke her hair carefully and murmur into her ear that everything’s going to be okay, that she has nothing to worry about as long as I’m here. We’ll get her the best medical care money can buy. I’ll drive or fly her to the furthest reaches of the world to see any specialist she needs.

I hold her until she finally falls asleep, then gently lie her head back on her pillow. I lose track of time as I keep stroking her hair, hoping it’s helping her sleep.

After a while, the door clicks open, and I glance over my shoulder to find Dunaway standing in the entrance to the room, his tie loosened and his jacket a bit askew. He looks exhausted—like a man who’s been through hell and back.

He steps into the room and sets a small bundle he’s been holding in his hands down on the chair just inside the door. Clothes, I realize. And shoes too.

“I brought you these from the locker room,” he tells me. “Since you left in your…”

He gestures to me, indicating the hockey gear I’m still wearing. I didn’t even bother to take any of it off yet, too focus on making sure Hannah was okay.

“Thanks,” I tell him.

He nods, then comes to stand at my side. We look down at Hannah silently, and although Dunaway and I have plenty in common when it comes to hockey, for the first timeoutsidethe arena, I feel a real sense of solidarity with this man. We’re both completely focused on the amazing woman lying in front of us.

“Any updates on the tests?” I ask quietly so I won’t wake Hannah up. I’m assuming he probably stopped to talk to a doctor or nurse on the way in and got whatever the latest update is.

“Still waiting,” he responds, his voice rough with emotion. I can see the strain etched into the lines of his face.

The room goes quiet again, except for the low noises of the machines monitoring Hannah, and I clear my throat, glancing over at him. “How did the rest of the game go?”

Dunaway blinks, then lets out a rueful chuckle. “Honestly? I have no idea. Everything after Hannah collapsed is just… a blur.”

I nod, understanding that feeling completely. A ghost of a smile crosses my face. “I guess we can both find out tomorrow.”

Dunaway snorts softly. Then his expression shifts, becoming more serious. “Listen, I wasn’t fair to you before,” he says quietly. “When I found out about you and Hannah, I shouldn’t have tried to stop you from seeing each other. After everything that happened with Casey, her mother and I are just very protective. Maybe…tooprotective.”

I cross my arms, turning to face him more squarely. Ever since I started with the Aces, I’ve looked up to this man—and maybe been a little bit terrified of him too. But right now, it doesn’t feel like we’re talking as coach to player. It feels like we’re talking man to man. “I understand wanting to protect her, sir. I really do.”

Dunaway studies me for a long moment, then speaks with raw emotion. “She means everything to me. And I can see now that she means a lot to you too.”

“I’ll always take care of her,” I promise, my voice low but absolute. “I mean it.”

Our eyes lock, and he claps a hand on my shoulder, squeezing once. “I know.”

Chapter50

Hannah

Declan’s beautiful, sleeping face comes into focus as my eyes flutter open. He’s right by my side, and it’s obvious that he slept there overnight. His hand is still clutching mine, and seeing it is almost too much to take in. The words he said before I fell asleep echo in my mind, and my entire body swells with gratitude for him.

I’m so thankful he was there. And that he’sstillhere.

I sit up carefully so I don’t wake him and spot my parents sleeping in the room too. They’re sitting side-by-side in uncomfortable looking chairs, my mother’s head resting on my father’s shoulder. She must have come back into town when she heard what was happening with me and seeing her there warms my heart.

But my stirring must be louder than I thought because all three of them slowly start to wake up, blinking their sleepy eyes as they try to get their bearings. My mother’s the first one up, and she hurries over to my bedside to stroke my face.

“Oh, thank god, you’re awake. I’ve been dying to see those beautiful eyes all night. Are you okay?”

“I’m feeling alright,” I tell her quietly, and it’s the truth. Iamfeeling a little better this morning, but anxiety is still writhing inside me waiting to hear what’s actually wrong with me.

Declan and my parents fuss over me a little, all three of them clearly determined to make sure I’m as comfortable as possible, but we’re interrupted when the doctor knocks on the door and steps inside. We all look over at him, and I can feel the subtle shift in the atmosphere of the room. I’m not the only one who’s been anxiously awaiting an update from him.

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