“Hey, baby. You okay?” Gray questions, kissing my cheek as I slide into the truck.
His own previous injuries come to mind. I’d read his file, too. He was lucky to be alive. It’s a miracle he does all he does now after that. I’d only seen him on a bull in the video the day we met, and I hadn’t felt anything more than what I normally do anytime I watch these men and women leave their lives up to the massive animals beneath them.
That same thought flitting through my mindwouldn’t be me.
But today, fear clutches at my chest. I need Gray too much to watch him go through that again. He’d put on his tough guy face and pretend he’s not affected by it, but now that I know him, I would know better. There will come a day when he has to stop riding, or something like his previous injury puts him out of it.
That day will be his breaking point, and I worry no one will be able to put him back together. I worry that if I’m not there, no one else will be.
“No. I’m not.” Usually, I wouldn’t be so honest. I wouldn’t reveal my fears about a patient’s prognosis or how shitty I feel for being the one to blow up their entire world.
“That bad?”
“Yeah. He’ll recover fine, but he’ll likely never play again.”
Gray goes quiet, and I know he’s thinking about how that was almost him. How that injury kept him from going pro with a national organization, though he still competes regularly and is better than so many of those other guys who are on the circuit now.
“We’d better get moving. We’re going to be late.” My voice is small as I focus on the hospital outside of my window. A place that normally brings me joy, but only weighs on my soul today.
Our drive is quiet. Unspoken words drift between us. The reality of Gray’s work hangs like an anvil over our heads. The single fraying thread of the rope holding it steady, while slowly unraveling, will eventually lead to its downfall.
The moment he parks, he’s out of the driver’s seat and running around, opening my door. I learned quickly to stay put.
Gray opens my door, period. It has yet to serve me well to go against it. The seemingly simple gesture brings me back to normalcy a bit. Out of the pit of despair I feel for that kid and for Gray.
“I’ll walk you to the med room.”
“Don’t you need to go get ready?”
His lips find mine, holding the kiss for a few moments before pulling away. “Yes, but I want to make sure you get settled in.”
“You’re a good man, Grayson Garrison.”
“Sometimes. But more importantly, I’m your man.”
That darkness drifts away, my smile pulling wide. “Yeah. You are.”
Our fingers weave together as we make our way to the barn. My recap of the extent of the surgery leaving Gray with more questions than answers. He listens to every word, genuinely interested. His request for clarification more insightful than I’d expected. The vet tech in him shining through, showcasing his passion and intelligence.
We’ve just enteredthe room when I spot Joy. “Perfect timing,” she chirps.
“For?”
She cocks her head to the side in question. “Food?”
The heel of my hand smacks into my forehead. I’d forgotten I’d gotten a text from Joy just before I went into the OR. Tate was bringing her dinner to the ranch since they’d both been working all day, and asked if I wanted anything. Food hadn’t been anywhere on the priority list for Gray and me since last night, so I quickly agreed. Those three exchanged texts completely slipped my mind.
“Hey,” Tate enters, carrying several grease-stained white bags. “Gray.” His jaw flexes as he addresses his brother. Gray’s body going rigid as he angles himself in front of me slightly.
“Thank you.” Joy grabs a few of the bags from Tate, rifling through them. “I’m starving.”
Gray stands tense at my side as Joy hands me a bag with what she picked for me. I don’t care what it is; I’m starving, too. “Want some?” I ask Gray, settling onto the small couch at the edge of the room.
“What the hell?” he suddenly barks. The room goes eerily quiet as he stares at his brother. “You bought my girlfriend food?”
“It’s food. Chill,” Tate replies coolly.
“You just can’t stay out of my relationships, can you?”
