Page 40 of Hometown Halftime

The doctor gives me a small, reassuring smile. “Rest today. If anything worsens, call your primary or go to the ER. Otherwise, give the steroid twenty-four hours to do its job.”

I nod, even though worry still thrums under my ribs.

Knox reenters the exam room after the doctor pops her head out to tell him the worst is over. His ears are still pink.

“All good?” he asks, eyes pointedly fixed on the ceiling tiles.

“Yes.” I sigh. “Crisis averted.”

“Great. Let’s get you out of here before anyone else starts talking about glutes.”

He helps me off the table, and the ache in my hip has changed into a dull throb but each step still feels fragile. He slows his pace to match mine.

We exit into the cool evening air and Riley is waiting in the parking lot.

He must’ve come straight from practice. His shirt is damp at the collar, hair pushed back from his forehead, eyes scanning every inch of me the second he sees me.

“Kinsey,” he says, stepping closer, voice roughened by worry. “How are you doing?”

I swallow. “I’m…okay. I got a shot. They think it’s sciatica.”

His brow creases. “Have you had this before?”

“No,” I admit. “Hopefully won’t have it again, ten out of ten do not recommended.”

He nods, eyes never leaving mine, not even for a second. His attention is so concentrated it stirs something deep in me. Something that I can’t identify and really shouldn’t analyze in the urgent care parking lot.

Knox clears his throat. “She needs to get home and rest. Doctor’s orders.”

Riley looks at me again. “Do you want me to drive you? You shouldn’t be walking around more than you have to.”

Knox looks between us, and he smiles.

“Are you okay with that, Kinsey?” he asks.

I should tell him I’m fine, that I can manage, that Riley doesn’t need to rearrange his evening just because my body decided to sabotage me.

But when I take a tiny step toward the curb, my hip protests, and Riley is there—just close enough to catch me if I sway.

My voice waivers. “Yeah…that works.”

Riley’s shoulders relax with something that looks close to relief. “Okay, let’s get you home.”

Knox nods and rubs my shoulder awkwardly, because that’s the version of nurturing he’s comfortable with.

“Good. Make sure you rest. Give me your keys so Brynn and I can stop by later with your car. And Kinsey?” He waits until I meet his eyes. “Don’t pretend this didn’t happen. Take care of yourself.”

I nod, throat thick as I remove my key fob from my key ring and hand it to him. He heads toward his truck, giving us space, which I appreciate. I’m emotionally exhausted at this point. Riley digs in his pocket for his keys and unlocks his truck.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

I should be embarrassed by how much I lean into the simple sound of his voice. I hate feeling helpless.

I exhale. “Yeah. I’m ready.”

Chapter eighteen

Riley