“It’s his backup. The guy who steps in for him if he’s injured. Cole took his place when he joined the Stingrays. His daughter is sick, and they just released him from the team.” I grab my helmet and my backpack. “Cole will be getting off the bus and. . . ”
“Ryder, slow down. Wait for me.” It’s a demand.
“I can’t. He can’t get off the bus if. . . ” I can’t even think of it.
I close the door, jogging to my motorcycle. I swing my leg over, knowing I have to get there before he does.
“Ryder, I’m on my way. Wait for me.”
“Track, I gotta go.”
I hang up and tug my helmet on. Nothing will stop me from getting to him.
Chapter 42
COLE
The bus pulls through the security gate, and the dim glow of the parking lot lights filters through the windows.
The guys begin to stir, and I stretch my arm. My body and mind need an hour in the sauna.
We won, but it wasn’t without a fight. After our meeting, my management finally woke up and pulled some guys from special teams to strengthen our defensive line. With T-Bone’s cronies sidelined, we managed to hold some of the yards we’d gained.
The bus rolls to a stop, and I stand, grabbing my bag. I roll my neck and wait in line to depart.
“That was fun. Let’s do it again next week,” Ricketts says, grinning from ear to ear as we file off the bus.
Ricketts hops down the last step, and my feet hit the asphalt. The sound of engines turning over fills the quiet, still air.
I squint into the darkness toward my car, wishing Ryder were waiting inside.
I take two steps and see a figure shift into the beam of headlights, moving quickly.
I stop as recognition hits. Ryder. She’s running.
My teammates bump around me, and I force my feet forward again. She holds up her hand, gesturing something as she charges toward me—
CRACK.
She dives.
CRACK. CRACK.
Her body crashes into mine, sending me straight to the ground.
My head smacks against the pavement, and I see stars. All air is purged from my lungs as Ryder’s body lands on top of mine.
I gasp, taking a breath as shouts and chaos erupt all around us.
I blink a few times, but Ryder doesn’t move. I slide my arm out from under her and loop around her. My hand spreads over her body, feeling the rapid, staggered rise and fall of her stomach.
“Hey,” I croak as I adjust to slip out from under her.
She groans, trying to push herself up with one arm, but rolls to her side next to me.
I sit up, my head swirling with a stabbing pain.
I reach for her, and my fingers hit something warm and tacky. I roll her onto her back as my heart kicks into action.
