Page 104 of Dirty Pucking Player

“He left his phone here by accident. I saw that you called and then sent a text message, and I didn’t want you to worry, so I thought I would call you back right away.”

Fear wraps around my spine and squeezes tightly. “Is Bash okay?

Rachel sighs. “I know we don’t know each other, Greer, but Bash has said enough that I know something happened between you two. I know things are…complicated. He doesn’t care about a lot of people…”

Why isn’t she just answering my damn question?

“Rachel, you’re freaking me out. Is he all right?”

“Physically, he’s okay, but he needs you right now.”

Bash has never needed anyone but himself. He made that perfectly clear when we ended things. For his sister to be telling me the opposite has blood rushing in my ears, drowning out the television and every other sound in the house.

“What’s going on?”

“Our father’s in the hospital. He’s dying. It’s going to be a matter of days, maybe even only hours…”

Mike is dying?

“Oh, my God. I’m so sorry.” Given how difficult things are in their family dynamics, this has to be eating away at Bash from a hundred different angles.

“He needs you here. Can you come?”

“Of course.”

The words are out before I can even consider the potential ramifications of what I’m agreeing to.

I have no idea where Bash and I stand. No idea if he even wants me there. All I have is the statement from his sister, who I don’t even know. Yet, none of that matters. There’s no way I’m not going.

If there’s even the slightest chance Bash needs me, I’ll be there for him, even if I don’t think he would do the same for me.

“Text me all the details. I’ll find the next flight out.”

“Thank you, Greer. I know he’ll really appreciate it even if he can’t show it because he’s a total hardass. I’ll see you soon.”

I hang up and stare at my phone.

Bash’s father is dying.

It could explain the timing of his retirement announcement…if we were still in the playoffs and he needed to go take care of family matters.

But even then, why retire?

He could have told Bob what was happening and that he needed to leave. Surely, Bob would have understood, and even though it would have been a hit to the team, he wouldn’t have forced Bash to choose between his family and his contract.

So why is he retiring?

None of it makes any sense. But the unknowns don’t matter. He can explain everything to me when I get there.

A text comes through with the information from Rachel about what hospital Mike is in and the hotel where Bash is staying, and I jump on my computer and find a flight leaving in three hours.

It’s just enough time to throw together a suitcase and get to the airport.

This is crazy.

I must be insane traveling across the country for a man who couldn’t put me first. This is what stupid, needy women do. And I am neither of those. Yet, I’m tossing random clothes into my suitcase and racing around the house in a whirlwind.

The flowers that were delivered almost a week ago now catch my eye as I drag my bag past the kitchen. My hand hovers over the note from Bash.

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