Page 124 of One Night Only
Oh, God. He’s known this whole time? I feel sick to my stomach. I desperately want to ask him what he’s going to do, but I can’t get the words out because I know the answer, and I don’t think I’m ready to hear it just yet.
Suddenly, the door behind me opens, and Dallas is wheeled out on the gurney, surrounded by the team of medical staff.
“Goldie?” he calls out, his voice a little panicked.
Staring at Andy, I hesitate only momentarily before spinningaround and rushing toward Dallas, gently taking his hand in mine. “I’m here, baby.”
“We’re taking him to the hospital for an MRI,” the doctor explains to me.
I nod.
“You’re comin’ still, aren’t you, baby?” Dallas asks hopefully.
Giving him a soft smile, I lean in and whisper, “Always.”
As we continue through the tunnel, Dallas grips my hand tighter, and it causes something to clench around my heart because, despite the façade he wears so well, the big, tough, fun-loving hockey player who doesn’t take life too seriously… I can tell he’s scared.
“I’ve got you,” I say again, hurrying alongside the gurney.
And with one last glance over my shoulder, I spot Andy still standing there where I left him, watching us leave with that same veil of indifference masking his face.
CHAPTER 52
DALLAS
Jace is goddamn sadist, I swear. The more I bitch and moan about the pressure, the fucking harder he digs in. I’m forced to limp out of his treatment room, wincing in pain as I shuffle into the weight room where most of the guys are working out. I stop by the bench press where Happy is spotting for Robbie, watching him finish his set.
It’s been a week since my injury, and I’ve been benched the whole time, with another week to go. Thankfully, after that dirty fucking hit, my injuries were limited to a broken nose that’s healing nicely, two missing teeth that required root canals and a couple of fake teeth the team dentist is having made for me, and a concussion which is the real asshole because it means I’m off the ice for two weeks. I feel fine, but it’s protocol, and it fucking sucks. But it could have been worse. Much worse.
Ben Harris received a game ejection, and he’s suspended pending a review by Player Safety, which has made Robbie’s year.
“You guys wanna go grab some breakfast after this?” Happy asks when Robbie finishes his set.
“I’m down,” Robbie says, pushing up from the bench and wiping his face with a towel.
I check my phone, trying not to think too much of the silence. Today is Emily’s first day back in the office after the holiday break. And she’s terrified of what’s going to happen with Andy. I didn’t even know Andy had been there in the tunnel after my injury. Hell, I didn’t even know he was at the damn game. But he was. I felt terrible that Emily had to deal with it by herself. I tried reaching out to Andy these last couple of days, but aside from flowers he sent to the hospital and a cute video Jenn sent from Dotty and Jack wishing me to get better soon, I haven’t heard from my manager at all. And of all the things I ever thought might possibly come between me and Andy Hoffman, a woman was never even on that list.
“Still nothing?” Robbie asks.
I tuck my phone back into my pocket and shake my head.
“No news is good news,” Happy says with a shrug.
“Yeah…” I try not to sound like a total downer, but I can’t help it. If Emily loses her job, she’ll be crushed. I told her not to worry about a thing, that I can take care of her for as long as she’ll let me, but I also know her job isn’t just a pay check; it’s her independence and a big “fuck you” to everything cancer took from her.
“Where’s Loges?” Robbie asks, looking around the gym.
“I don’t know, man.” Happy shrugs. “He’s been super sus lately. I think he’s got a girl…”
“Agirl?” I balk. “Logan?”
Happy nods.
“Logan Cullen?” I snort.
He shrugs again, collecting his towel and water bottle from the floor. “I mean, it’s either that or he’s got some side gig as a CIA agent.”
We start to walk out of the gym, but Robbie slaps my arm, drawing my attention. I look at him to see his cell phone held up, and I narrow my eyes, reading what’s on the screen.
