“Dawson, you shouldn’t be in here.” Nunez threw me a quick glare. “Coach Reid will have your hide if you don’t get back to the locker room.”
I focused on Wren, his face tensing as Nunez worked his ankle in a circle. “Hey, how bad is it?”
“Eli?” He gave me a thin-lipped grin. “I don’t know yet. I fell on it wrong and twisted it.” He winced. “This damn ankle gives me problems all the time.”
“It’s not too bad. I’ll get you a compression bandage and some ice. You’ll be out for the rest of this game, and we’ll see how you’re doing next week. Maybe no tumbling for a few games?” Nunez grabbed an ice pack from the bag on the counter.
“Dawson, get your ass in the locker room before Coach loses his shit.” Penny halted inside the medical room, his glare focused on me.
“Eli, go. I’m fine. I’ve dealt with this before. It’s no big deal.” He squeezed my hand and released it.
“You sure?” I peeked at Nunez. “Can he walk?” If not, I might carry him out of here.
“Yeah, as long as he’s careful and doesn’t twist it.” Nunez placed the ice pack on Wren’s ankle.
“Go, Eli. Please, I don’t want you to get in trouble.” Wren creased his brows.
With a quick peek at Penny, I grabbed Wren’s nape and planted a hard kiss on his lips. “When this game is over, you’re letting me help you to the buses and shit. Okay?” I gazed deeply into his eyes, driving my point home.
“Yes, okay.” With a choked laugh, he pointed toward the hallway. “Now, go.”
“Yes, get your ass over here.” Penny clutched my arm. “Don’t make me drag you.”
“Fine.” As my chest relaxed, I strode with Penny from the room. Wren was in excellent hands, and there was nothing I could do for him right now. After the game would be a different story.
As we entered the locker room, Coach Reid planted his hands on his hips. “Dawson, nice of you to join us.”
I hung my head, swinging my helmet in front of me. “Sorry, Coach. Won’t happen again.”
Jabbing his finger at me, Coach said, “You're damn right it won’t. I’ll let it pass this time, but if you try that again, you’ll be out for the duration of the game.” He swept his gaze around the room. “Let that be a lesson to the rest of you. Fraternizing with the cheering squad does not mean you shirk your duties on the field.”
The entire team looked my way, some of their mouths falling open.
Lifting my head, I peeked around the room from under my brows. Shit, it was out. Good thing I spoke to Wren about this last night.
Leaning toward me, Penny whispered, “You really love that guy to risk getting benched for him.” He wagged his brows.
Love?Yeah, it probably was, but I had to check myself. I wasn’t sure I’d won Wren over completely yet. I gave a slow nod as Coach dove into our strategy for the second half.
After the gameand the catered post-game meal at the university, I’d helped Wren to his bus and left him with Grace. We’d lost on a last-minute touchdown, but the game had been close. Still, it stung quite a bit.
Silence filled the ride back toward the hotel. We weren’t leaving until the morning since it was a haul getting to the airport on top of a two- and half-hour flight. Plus, after games we were all dead tired. I’d sat toward the front, so I could dash out of here and get to Wren.
The bus stopped at the curb in front of the hotel, and I snuck my way to the bus’s steps, glancing at Coach Reid in the front seat. Was he still pissed off at me? I’d played well the rest of the game. That had to make up for my indiscretion, right? “Are we okay?” I planted my hand on the pole next to the steps.
He clenched his jaw and nodded. “Keep playing as well as you did in the second half and show me your heart is in the game instead of the cheering squad, then we’ll be okay.” His lips curled into a half-smile.
“You've got it.” With a tick of my head, I watched the bus door open, and I scrambled down the stairs. I wouldn’t let Wren hobble back to his room.
Wren hopped down his bus stairs on his good leg, using the handrails to hold most of his body weight. He’d been a gymnast, so his upper body strength was amazing.
“Wren, I’m right here.” I stepped toward him as he landed on the pavement. Shit, should I just carry him in?
“Hey, Eli.” He gave me a tender grin. “I’m okay?—”
Tucking an arm under his knees and another under his shoulders,I picked him up. “Damn right you’ll be okay. I’ll take you to your room.” I’d bench-pressed more weight than this.
“Oh, my God.” Grace squealed with her hands tenting her nose and mouth as she left the bus. “If that isn’t the cutest thing.”
