Page 71 of The Head Game

Feeling like he was intruding on a very private family moment, August stepped out of the room and walked quickly to the family lounge.

To his surprise, Isa and Anika followed.

Tears slipped down Isa’s cheeks and Anika pulled her close, murmuring quietly to her and rubbing her back. “I know it’s hard to see Nico that way but he’s recovering well and he’s strong. He’s a fighter, Isa.”

Now August really felt like he was intruding. But he was afraid he’d make this more awkward if he tried to leave.

“Of course.” Isa wiped her eyes. “But it’s not that. I’m … I’m jealous. I’m so grateful to Noor for being there for him when he was growing up and you know I’m glad they’re close. But I sometimes think about how much I missed when I let him stay with her and Pieter. Nico was so small. He was only six, Ani. How could I leave my baby behind?”

August looked at the ceiling. He would very much like to be anywhere but here.

Anika murmured, “You had your work at the gallery and your visa …”

“I know, I know. I just wonder if I should have fought Pieter harder to keep Nico with me in Amsterdam.”

“But look how well he’s done at his hockey. He loves it. He’s where he was meant to be.”

Isa sighed. “I tell myself it worked out for the best but …”

The door opened and Noor and Pieter came in. “Isa, are you all right?” he asked.

She wiped her eyes again and smiled. “Yes, yes, I’ll be fine.”

“How did Nico do last night?” Noor asked, glancing over at August.

“He woke up a lot. He was speaking Dutch at one point, I think, but the nurse said that was normal. He was a little agitated but he calmed down once I crawled in bed with him.”

“Oh, I’m so glad he has you,” Noor said. “We just love Nico so much and if anything happened to our boy …”

August could practically hear the way they all capitalized Our Boy, like it was some kind of title.

No wonder Nico’s an egomaniac, August thought, feeling uncharitable again.

He retracted that thought immediately.

Nico wasn’t that bad. And it was good that so many people loved him.

Even August had gotten a little weak yesterday when faced with Nico’s post-surgical befuddlement.

The question was, how long would it take for Nico to remember he definitely did not have a fiancé?

God, this was about to blow up in August’s face, wasn’t it?

“How did you sleep?” Anika asked, giving him a concerned frown.

August rubbed a hand over his face, his stubble thick after two days of growth. “Uh, as well as can be expected, I guess. I might need to run out and get a shower and change of clothes at some point this morning though.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Noor said with a smile. “We picked up some necessities for you.”

“I guessed at your sizes but hopefully the clothes will fit.” Pieter held out a bag.

“Oh. Uhh, thank you,” August managed. “That was thoughtful of you. I could use a shower first though.”

“We spoke to the nurse. She said you’re welcome to use the one in Nico’s room.” Isa beamed.

Damn it, August had hoped to find a nearby hotel so he could shower and have a few moments alone to figure out a plan of how he was going to get himself out of this.

But there was no getting out of here, was there? Not even for an hour or two like he’d hoped.

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