Chapter 52
Chapter Fifty-Two
Olivia POV
T he first question was going to be: what the hell was in his game bag that made it weigh a metric ton? The next question was going to Mr. Megawatt self-proclaimed MVP and why he couldn’t bring the damned thing to his friend.
Dotty disappeared. Somewhere. I let her out at the hospital front door and had to find parking. Then dragged Coop’s bag o'bricks and anvils across a mile-long parking lot. The front desk wouldn’t share his room information, so I ended up having to text Eberhardt. And wait.
Finally, he sent back the room number, and then I was dragging the luggage of doom down one impossibly long hallway to intersect with another stupidly long corridor. But this one had linoleum floors . . . Which meant I could drag the thing instead of pretending to be the female version of Atlas with an awkward bulky bag on my shoulders.
I made it almost all the way to his room and ran out of steam. I didn’t want to look a total mess, so I checked my makeup in one of the semi-reflective windows in the hallway. Sat against the wall and caught my breath. I decided to shove the bag the remaining few feet—with my foot. And ended up in the midst of a small group of Coop’s, um, Breslin’s teammates.
Fendleman separated from the rest and greeted me. “The old lady’s been asking about you. Think it’s you. Right?”
“Only chick Coop hangs around with.” Eddie propped his head up on one arm where he leaned against the wall. “Gotta admit, I’m jealous.”
“Of what, being called a pain in the ass?” I rolled my eyes and huffed at a piece of hair in my eyes.
“I mean technically a fish is a bit young for me, but he’s got good taste.” He pressed into my personal space. I leaned back. “The question is: how frisky does Coop get with you?”
Fendleman shoved him away from me with a scowl. “Apologize.”
“What? I didn’t?—”
“You show your teammate’s girl the same respect you show him.” Fendleman stabbed a finger at Eddie. “And he’s earned it.”
The door opened to Coop's room and some girl with pink-streaked hair peeked out. She giggled and set about propping the thing open. “Think he’s earned something else, too.” She held up a hand and pawed the air as she walked by. “Frisky time. Rawr.”
My heart slid into my stomach. I had no idea what was going on, but apparently Fendleman now thought I was Coop's girl? And what the ever-loving fuck was this 'frisky' thing?
Am I asleep? Maybe I passed out carrying this stupid-heavy bag. Oh no, what if he's running his mouth telling everyone ? —
“Sorry, Liv.” Eddie shrugged. “Didn’t mean to disrespect you or nothing. I thought you did a good job with our interviews.”
“Um, well, not entirely sure what’s going on but thanks for the apology?” I gave him an awkward thumbs up sign that made me feel like an idiot. The air was stagnant and hot. Whatever is happening right now . . . this is not good. I huffed and panted, that stupid bag. “Is there, like, enough air in here?”
Fendleman moved Eddie a step out of the way. “Let her through.” His dark eyes met my gaze. “He's ok, Liv. I can tell you're worried.”
This is getting worse by the second. I wanted in there, but this wasn't what I'd pictured. There were so many people. This is ridiculous, is there nothing else to do on a—Eh. Who am I kidding? This is an exciting night out in Vanquer. I tried to smile at Fendleman, but it was like every cell of my body felt like it was being watched. I swallowed and moved the last few feet to the door of his room.
And stopped short of the roadblock that was Schorr and Eberhardt. The coaches’ backs toward me, a doctor stared at his tablet. “I don’t want him alone in the dorms. I’m sure his teammates mean well, but he’s not exactly resting if he’s letting people in every hour.”
“We could ask Liv,” Eberhardt said in a hushed tone. The world pulsed around me and I think I forgot how to breathe. “I know we shouldn't make assumptions, but she’s the most likely?—”
“You wanna tell Furston we encouraged his daughter to shack up with her boyfriend? On my team? On our watch?”
Oh God. Please please please don't tell Furston anything. Ever.
“She’s an adult. Just like your daughters and mine. Maybe we don’t ask, we just don’t interfere .”
Schorr grunted.
Oh no. No no no. No way I’m staying with him. In his dorm? For how long? No, doesn’t matter. Even a few hours . . . was a terrible idea. Right?
I turned, but Fendleman and Eddie were blocking my escape. Maybe I could just hide in his duffel bag until everyone left? Or a janitor hauled me away to freedom. Or the morgue. But I definitely can't be alone with him in his room, with those smirking lips and-and knowing how they taste and feel and—oh God, no. No way.
“We’ll want to monitor his progress this week.” The doctor adjusted his glasses and finally looked up. He stared at me like I was a window or a door he could look through. “And schedule him for a follow-up MRI.”
“Yeah, sure thing doc.”
“Once you’ve sorted out his arrangements, we’ll start the paperwork on his release.”
The coaches moved to allow the doctor out of the room. And that’s when a single pair of eyes landed on me.
“There you are.” Dotty called out in her far-too-loud voice and stood up. “It’s about time, blondie. Don’t just stand out there like we’re some kinda exhibit at the aquarium. Damned fool teenagers.”
There were more people milling about inside his room. And it felt like they all turned at once to stare.
Including Coop. Red-faced and scowling, those dark irises landed on me and . . . dammit all, but the frozen and sweating icicle that was me, stuck to the floor outside his room—thawed into human mush inside. It’s him. He’s ok .
I took a deep breath, folded my shaking hands into opposite elbows across my chest. But before I made it two steps into the room . . . It hit me, slammed full force like something punched me in the gut just before a tidal wave crashed over me.
I've been so worried.
I swallowed and tried to resurrect my game face as I moved closer. And now he's here, and I'm here and I can see him. He’s ok. He’s ok.
I was pretty sure my game face was gone. I held his gaze—his blue eyes laser so focused, I couldn’t look anywhere else.
But what do I do? The coaches are here, his teammates think we’re together? Am I supposed to act like his girlfriend? My heart thudded and thumped in my chest. Could I pretend, for all these people? Maybe it’s a ruse for him, but for me . . .
Dotty was right, I was a damned fool, but for this moment in time, I could let myself believe he truly cared.
I gripped his hand in mine, pressing him into a hug that was heated and hesitant, awkward and off-kilter. Like at any moment, I could fall . . .
And when his arm wrapped around my waist . . . He felt far too much like home.
“Breslin . . .”