For as desperate as I am to escape this hell, how the fuck is it fair that I’m fit enough to go home when Reed’s still unconscious a few doors down? How the fuck do I face a waiting room full of my teammates when most of them hate me?
The questions run rampant while a familiar darkness threatens to seep out of the deep recess in my mind. But before I allow it to completely break me, the door to my room creaks, and I glance up to find San Francisco Storm’s media liaison, Keeley, hovering in the entry, her expression sympathetic.
Just what I need.
“Can I come in?” She smiles awkwardly, her long auburn hair pulled into an uncharacteristically messy bun as though she hasn’t slept since before the game on Sunday. “The nursementioned they’re releasing you soon. She thought you might want some company.”
“And you’re the unlucky one they sent?” I bark out a lackluster laugh and as expected, Keeley frowns.
“Don’t be a dick, Zane. I’m the one always asking them about you. The nurses have been keeping me up to date.”
My brows furrow as I process what she’s saying. “I thought they could only provide updates to family.”
“I’m yourgirlfriend, Zane.” Keeley walks closer, one of her manicured brows lifted in challenge. “Or have you forgotten? God, you must have hit your headreallyhard.” She places her palm on my forehead and I shake her off.
“Ha. Ha. Very funny. I’d definitely remember that.” Keeley is damn fine, and if she’d been into football players, I have no doubt we would have fucked already. But we definitely wouldn’t be dating. “I’m surprised they believed you.”
“They didn’t. But I guess one of the nurses felt sorry for me. She’s been nice enough to provide as much information as she can.”
“Why?” I frown, glancing away as Keeley’s look of concern makes me uncomfortable.
“God, I don’t know.” She throws her hands in the air, bringing my gaze back to hers. “The kindness of her heart.”
“No. I mean, why do you care?” A hint of vulnerability comes out in my tone, and I clear my throat to cover it up, ensuring it doesn’t happen again.
“Weallcare, Zane. Everyone in that waiting room.” Keeley points out the door, presumably toward where my teammates are waiting. “They’re here for you as much as they’re here for Reed.”
At that I scoff. “I highly doubt that. They all hate—”
“Cut the woe is me bullshit. If anyone out there hates you, it’s because you made them feel that way.”
“I didn’t know—”
“Believe it or not, this has nothing to do with you fucking my brother’s ex. It’s your attitude. Lose it and you’ll find yourself with more friends than you could ever imagine.”
Jesus. She’s a feisty one. But hang on… “Easton’s your brother? When did that happen?”
“When he was born. Catch up. He’s out there too. You might even have a friend in him.”
“What if I don’t want any friends?”Fuck. I grimace, cursing under my breath. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. The last thing I want is for her to pity me, exactly like she’s doing right now. “Please put those sad eyes away. I’m fine. I don’t need friends. But—”
“I think—”
“But,” I repeat, louder this time, “I wouldn’t mind having teammates I get along with. Though, I’d say I blew my shot with your brother.”
When it comes to life’s fuckups, I’ve got too many to count on one hand, but I refuse to feel guilty about sleeping with Easton’s ex, despite the fact she wasn’t his ex at the time. I didn’t know who she was. I’m not responsible for that lapse in judgment.
And I will die on that hill. Though, I can admit that I was a dick about it.
Keeley’s lips pull into a wide grin as she pats the side of my bed. “I knew there was a good guy hiding underneath that rough exterior. And you’d be surprised about East. What you did for Hayley and Reed…”
She trails off, and the sincerity in her eyes has my throat clogging, and as much as I’d love to change the subject, I can’t.
“I did what anyone would do,” I say instead, refusing to be painted as a hero in this. “A man is on life support because of what I did. It’s nothing to be praised for.”
“You can’t blame yourself for that, Zane. If you hadn’t come back to help them, I can’t even imagine—” Keeley chokes back emotion, and I release a long, drawn-out sigh.
“Okay.” I raise a hand between us to stop her from talking. “Thank you. For caring.”
