Page 27 of Golden Goal

He tilts his head, studying me, and my internal alarm sounds. I don’t know the guy well, but I don’t like the gleam in his eye.

“Because they gossip,” says a voice from the doorway.

For fuck’s sake.

“Ah, speak of the devil,” Wes says, turning toward the door where Holt is standing holding two coffee cups.

“I think we should go,” Hunter says, standing up and smacking his teammate in the arm. “Let’s go, Weston.”

“But—” Wes protests, glancing between me and the doorway where Holt is hovering.

“Now!” Hunter commands, glaring at him.

I can see why the rumors are swirling that he’s going to be the next captain. Wes mutters under his breath but does what he’s told.

Hunter turns to me. “Sorry, Doc. Forgive him. He likes to meddle.” He shakes his head, following his teammate out the door.

They pause, and a few words are exchanged between the three of them before they’re gone, and Holt steps into my office.

“For you,” he says, putting a coffee on my desk.

He shifts back, fiddling with the straw in the cup in his hand.

“What’s this for?” I ask, picking up the iced coffee. My preferred way of drinking it. How did he know?

He shrugs. “For waking you up the other night.”

“I already told you it’s fine.”

“In that case, it’s to apologize for being an ass earlier.” I open my mouth to tell him I didn’t think he was being an ass, but he continues, “And for whatever that one”—he gestures over his shoulder, and I know he’s referring to Wes—“said to you.”

I snort. I can’t help it. “Thank you,” I say, taking a sip of the drink, which is made exactly the way I like it—with vanilla syrup and coconut milk. “How’d you know what my coffee order is?”

He gives me a small smile. “I asked Sutton. I’ve seen you two walking around with coffees, so I took the chance she might know your order.” His gaze drops to the floor, and I squint. Is he blushing? He clears his throat. “I should go. My sister’s home with Hazel, and I told her I’d be back an hour ago.”

“Bye. Thanks again.”

He waves and backs out of my room.

I peer at the drink in my hand, trying not to read too much into it. I can’t remember the last time someone bought me coffee, or anything, really. Not only that, but he found out what I enjoyed and didn’t assume or guess. This is all too confusing. Is he simply being nice like he said, or is there more to it? He must realize we can’t be more than doctor and patient while I’m treating him. Even after his treatment’s complete, we can’t be more than coworkers. Maybe friends. Sutton is friends with the players and their wives, so it’s probably okay if I am too. But that’s all it can be.

I don’t know why I’m even thinking about it so much. I shouldn’t read into this. I’m sure he’s bought other people coffee before. Right? At least, that’s what I tell myself multiple times during the rest of the day when my attention strays to the empty coffee cup I can’t make myself throw away.

Chapter twelve

Holt

I’m such an idiot. I don’t know what I was thinking when I walked into Sutton’s office earlier and asked her if she knew what Rebbeca’s usual coffee order was. She grinned at me for a few seconds, and I thought she was going to give me shit about it, but she simply answered my question.

She winked at me after I thanked her, though. I shook my head and told her it was my way of thanking Rebecca again for being understanding about being woken up in the middle of the night, and for having to deal with my grumpy ass. I don’t think Sutton believed me.

I’m not sure if I believed it either. Even if I kept telling myself that was why I was buying her coffee. I was going to the coffee shop after physical therapy anyway, so it wasn’t like I was going out of my way for her. I was being nice. Besides, it’s only coffee. People buy each other coffee all the time. It’s no big deal.

“So,” Wes says, strolling toward me as I’m making my way out to the parking lot.

“No.” I glare at him, hoping he gets the message that I’m not in the mood.

“Oh, come on, Holty. Are you and the doctor . . . ?” He bounces his eyebrows.