Plus, they all must think I’m so pathetic. Here’s me, a professional goaltender for the National Hockey League, and I need rescuing by the fire department because I’m fucking scared of confined spaces.
Closing my eyes, I try to imagine I’m lying in bed—my favorite safe space—and take some deep, controlled breaths, like I do during yoga.
Once my heart rate gets down to a level Avi’s happy with, she removes the pads from my skin before slipping the cuff from my arm and the clippy thing from my finger.
I sit up and watch quietly as they pack everything up.
“Do you feel comfortable taking the elevator down with us?” Hunter asks, pointing to the fire service elevator on the far end of the hallway. “I’m happy to take the stairs with you otherwise.”
“What floor are we on?”
“Forty-seven.”
I let out a choked noise and tip my head back until it hits the wall behind me. “That’s a lot of stairs.”
He huffs a quiet laugh. “It sure is, but you’ve just gone through a traumatic experience. It’s understandable if you’re not ready to go back in right away. These things take time.”
I glance up at him. “You’d really walk down forty-seven floors for me?”
“Of course,” he says without hesitation.
Wow. Okay, then. And here I thought I couldn’t like this guy any more, then he has to go and be all heroic and dreamy? I know I’m an athlete, but I don’t even want to walk down forty-seven flights of stairs.
Taking in a deep breath, I roll my shoulders back and stand.
“I think I can take the elevator, but can it just be like…” How can I say just the two of us without sounding like I’m desperate for his attention?
“We can wait until the others have gone and go down after?” he suggests without me needing to say a word.
A spark ignites in my chest. It’s like we’re made for each other. He can read my mind. Which is kinda dangerous because some of the Hunter-related things that go through my mind are a little obsessive.
“Can I just go home?” I ask. I was on my way out to get food, but now I feel so drained. All I want to do is curl up on the couch and take a nap. Maybe Alex is home, and he can feed me instead.
“Yeah, sure. You can do whatever you want to do.”
That’s a dangerous offer, my subconscious whispers.
We wait until the rest of the crew are down in the lobby, then make our way up to my apartment on the sixty-seventh floor. Surprisingly, I don’t feel nervous in the elevator with Hunter at my side. Maybe it’s because he’s already rescued me once, and he seems like the kind of guy who wouldn’t panic in a situation. He’s cool as a cucumber. Calming. He makes me feel at ease by standing next to him.
I don’t know what I would have done if he weren’t here. Probably would’ve had to call Blaine to come and get me. Twin brother to the rescue, like always.
Once we’re outside my apartment, I unlock the door but don’t push it open. Instead, I turn to Hunter and offer what I’m hoping is a convincing smile that I’m okay.
“Thank you. I’m sorry for being annoying.”
A small crease on his forehead appears as his brows pinch, similar to the look he gave me at the family day. “You’re not annoying at all, Elliot. Your fears are valid. Don’t ever apologize for that.”
I nod a few times, a little lost for words and feeling exhausted all of a sudden.
“Try and take it easy for the rest of the day. Stay hydrated, and if you start to feel unwell, give us a call, okay?”
“I will. Thanks, Hunter.”
“Anytime.” He smiles. My stomach swoops when he flashes me a quick wink. “Take care of yourself. I’ll see you around.”
I stand there, unable to tear my eyes off him as he heads back toward the service elevator and steps inside. When our eyes lock, his lips hitch up on the side in a crooked smile before the doors close, and he disappears from view.
Fuck. How can I be in love with someone I’ve only met a handful of times?
