Piper groans, covering her face with her hands. “Could that have been any more embarrassing?”
“I don’t know.” I come to a stop at a light. “You looked pretty cute covered in towels.”
She fixes her eyes to me. “You do realize how bad those smelled, right? I blame you.”
“What? Because I used a towel that day?”
“Hockey players in general. Sweat less, will you?” Piper laughs.
Even though her roommate and boyfriend screwed her over, there isn’t much bitterness that I can detect in Piper.
“Sorry, Princess. I don’t know if that will happen.”
“Damn.”
“How’d you get the job with the team anyway?”
It’s easy conversation. The least I can ask since she’s doing this with me.
“I’m getting my master’s in physical therapy. Noah helped me get the job.”
“Wow. I’m impressed.”
“You are?”
I nod as I pull into the hospital parking lot. “I couldn’t do that much school. I was never the best student.”
Piper nods, getting out of the car. “I enjoy it. Learning new techniques to help athletes heal? It’s fascinating.”
Placing a hand on Piper’s back, I guide her into the hospital. A few of the guys from the team are already there, along with a few reporters.
“Cash. So happy you could make it today.” Cassiebeams at me. “All of the kids are gathered in one of the main rooms, so we’ll be starting there.”
“Sounds great.”
“I’ll hang back and let you do your thing, Cash.” Piper gives me a grin as I follow Cassie to where we need to be.
The hospital walls are painted a basic beige with photos of Denver adding the only color. I wouldn’t want to spend any time in here.
The second we cross into the children’s area, the walls change from beige to a bright blue. Clouds are painted with birds and the sun covering them.
Nurses in colorful scrubs are waiting for us. “You must be Cassie. I’m Lindsey, the charge nurse. We’re all so excited to see you.”
“Thanks for having us.”
“We’re in the reading room. It’s all the kids can talk about today.”
A tug comes on my sleeve. I have no idea how old this kid is, but his arm is in a sling and glasses sit on his face. Blond hair falls over his forehead.
“You’re Cash Williams.” He shoves his glasses higher up on his face.
I squat down to his level. “I am. What’s your name?”
“Mikey.”
“Mikey. What’d you do here?” I ask, pointing to his arm.
“I broke it playing soccer.”
