Finally, he glances at me and nods. “R.I.C.E. the ankle. It doesn’t look as bad as I expected, and you know your body. I’d still advise taking it easy for a few days if you can manage it.”
“Coach banned me until Monday.”
“Even better. Pop an anti-inflammatory if it’s bothering you too much. I want to check it again before you lace up Monday.”
“Thanks again, Liam.”
He nods, and I let myself out and head for the parking lot. I’m more than a little grateful Rooks drove us today. He’s waiting at the truck with Hannah and Aubrey.
When Aubrey spots me, she bounds across the lot, her blonde ponytail swinging against her shoulders. “Bubba! I can really stay with Hannah all weekend?” she asks, her energy nearly bubbling out her ears.
“Do you want to?” I ask, unable to hide the grin at her infectious excitement.
“Um, duh!” She gestures to her red-and-black Voltage tank top and plants a hand on her hip. “This chick needs girl time. I love you, but you smell bad.”
Instead of responding, I snatch her into my chest and press her face against me. As she squeals and giggles, I look at Hannah. “You sure you’re up for this?”
As much as I trust her and Thorn, I can’t stop the anxiety that courses through my veins as I finally let Aubrey out of my grasp.
“We’re good, Si. Promise. We’ll call you throughout the day, and if she needs you, we’re only two streets away.”
I tug on Aubrey’s ponytail to make her look at me. “Call or text before bed and when you wake up. And at lunch. And—”
“Don’t be so overbearing, big brother. Hannah’s got me. And Uncle Thorn is going to teach me how to turn faster so I can beat you next time.”
Hannah and Rooks laugh as I scratch the back of my head and bite my tongue.
“Okay, honey,” Hannah says as she steers Aubrey toward her vehicle. “Let’s not stress Silas out too much before we leave the rink.” She glances back. “Seriously, Silas. Go rest. I’ve got her, and if we need you for whatever reason, you can literally run to our house in under eight minutes.”
With that, I watch the best thing to ever happen to me slip into Hannah’s green SUV. My chest tightens as the car pulls away, equal parts relief and ache.
Rooker's eyes bore into the side of my head. “You’re not going to rest or relax at all, are you?”
“Not a chance.”
Chapter 5
Oakley Kate
“Gosh freaking darn it!” I’m going to lose whatever sanity I still have before Tuesday. I sling my shoe across the room, the thunk it makes against the wall a mild satisfaction.
“You okay in there, honey?”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Control, Oakley.
“I’m fine, Mom.” Not fine.
All I want is to curl up with my new eBook by one of Jett’s author clients, but I can’t get comfortable. So, I was going to hobble around in the back yard and get some fresh air. Only, I can’t get my shoe on. Hence the shoe-chucking.
She peeks her head around the doorframe. “Is it safe to enter?”
I huff a laugh even though the last thing I feel is humor. I really am acting like a kid who didn’t get her way.
“It’s safe, Mom. Just a fight with my shoe.” I gesture to the scuff mark on the other side of the room. “The shoe won.”
Mama fights to keep the smile off her face but ultimately fails as she picks up the sneaker before sitting beside me. “I need to run to the store. Do you need anything?”
“Can I go with you?” I ask, suddenly desperate to get out of this house, even if it means hobbling around on crutches for all of Steele Valley to see.
