Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
SYDNEY
“This shouldn’t take long. I figured you could sign some autographs and hang out for a bit.
Just tell me when you’re ready to leave, and I’ll wrap it up,” I say as Steele and I walk side-by-side toward the hospital’s entrance.
Since the Renegades are off today, I scheduled some community outreach for him now that the new children’s wing is open.
I kind of wish I’d chosen anywhere else, if I’m honest, because I’m sure we’ll run into Mitch sooner or later.
It’s been days since the charity ball, and despite him reaching out, I haven’t responded with more than a few words.
I ran out on him without explanation, when I should’ve just been honest. I should’ve told him I was uncomfortable being touched in that manner when he wasn’t clear about his intentions, but with all my feelings for Steele seeming to crash into me at once, I froze.
Now, I need to have that hard conversation, and to be completely real, I’m anxious.
“It’ll be fun,” Steele replies, looking down at me with a grin. “Kids are cool. It’s the adults who sometimes suck.”
I laugh, nodding my head in agreement. “You’re not wrong.
Kids and dogs are where it’s at.” The back of his hand brushes mine as we walk, the barely-there contact making me feel warm all over.
I wish I could touch him out in the open, but I know we can’t do that right now.
I’m not even sure if he’d want that, since it may put his career at risk.
My father accepted my sister’s relationship with Maddox when they told him about it, but that was after he had proven himself to have her best interest at heart.
Knowing that Liv had a boyfriend who would gladly burn down the world for her—or anyone else who had ties to the Renegades—made it easier for him to give his blessing.
Plus, Maddox had already become part of the glue that held the team together, whereas Steele is still trying to prove himself.
I don’t blame my dad or the coaches for not being completely sold on keeping him here after his contract is up, but I hope they can see how much he’s changed.
He’s no longer the angry, resentful player who couldn’t wait to leave.
He’s doing his best, and I’m incredibly lucky to be a part of that.
Stepping through the automatic doors, we head to the reception desk.
The young man working behind it greets us with a bright smile as he stands from his chair.
“Mr. Harlow,” he says, extending a hand for Steele to shake.
He can’t be more than twenty-one years old, and judging by the way it looks like he’s actually vibrating, he’s putting in overtime to hide his excitement.
“We’ve been expecting you. I’m Calvin, and I have to say, I’m a big fan of yours. ”
Bingo.
Steele’s face goes blank, as though he can’t believe that he has a fan in this city. Sure, he’s seen the changes in how people are talking about him online, but I’d be willing to bet this is the first time someone has accepted him in public, and not because he had just scored a touchdown.
He clears his throat, wrapping his hand around Calvin’s firmly.
“Thank you. That’s very nice to hear. Can I sign something for you?
” The man’s eyes go wide with shock, and he freezes for a moment before fumbling around behind the desk.
I tuck my lips between my teeth to stifle a smile as I watch the exchange, my eyes bouncing back and forth between their awestruck expressions.
Calvin produces a pad of paper and a pen, handing them to Steele. He scribbles his autograph before giving them back with a grin. My heart swells with pride, butterfly wings tickling the inside of my stomach as I look up at him. Fuck, I wish I could kiss him right here in a lobby full of people.
Later, Syd.
Minutes later, we’re exiting the elevator on the seventh floor, where most of the long-term care patients stay.
I made sure we got written consent from the staff and guardians to take photos, so as long as the children are cool with it, I’ll snap some candids of them with Steele for his social media.
The team has a great relationship with the hospital, and I know meeting players is something everyone gets excited for, which means we’re probably in for a wild ride.
Last time Theo was here, the kids talked him into a game of tag, where he proceeded to twist his ankle on what he referred to as an epic juke move.
Thankfully, he didn’t break anything, but those little ones sure gave him a run for his money.
“You must be Sydney and Steele,” a dark-haired woman says.
By the looks of her pink giraffe scrubs and the fancy stethoscope that’s draped around her neck, I’m guessing she’s a nurse.
Just like everyone else we’ve passed, she greets us warmly as she shakes both of our hands.
“My name is Casey, and I’ll be introducing you to the kids.
” She cups one hand over her mouth, lowering her voice as though she doesn’t want anyone else to hear.
“We snuck them a few extra pieces of candy to celebrate the special occasion, so if you see anyone bouncing off the walls, no you didn’t. ”
I bark a laugh. I’ve been to one of these things with my dad, so I know they let the kids have treats before meeting their favorite players.
It’s like a little party every time, usually with some sort of a theme.
Maddox came on Ugly Sweater Day, where the children glued about five-hundred colorful pom-poms to his shirt before sending him out into public.
He wore it with pride, even giving it a second life at the Renegades Christmas party.
My sister practically swooned into another dimension, and I kind of don’t blame her. It was definitely adorable.
“Alright,” Casey says, stopping outside a set of double doors. “This is our playroom. Most of the kids are in here, although some aren’t able to get out of bed right now. If you have extra time after, I’m happy to introduce you to them, as well.”
“We’ll have time,” Steele blurts before looking down at me. “I mean, I will. If you have somewhere to be, that’s okay.”
I shake my head, smiling softly. “I can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else.
” His brown eyes sparkle, and again, I wish I could kiss him.
For a moment, I almost ask Casey to excuse us so we can make out in the stairwell, but I think better of it because he has a lot of little humans who are excited to see him right now.
“Perfect!” She beams, an ear-to-ear grin splitting her features. “Let’s go meet your littlest fans!”
It’s an ocean of squeals and laughter as soon as she pushes the heavy metal door open, kids playing and moving around the room like they’re having the time of their lives.
On a giant projection screen in the front plays some kind of superhero movie, while each corner is home to either a craft station or a gaming console.
In the back, there’s a snack table, manned by several nurses who hand out popcorn and other goodies to each tiny little grabby hand before them.
“It’s a little bit of a free-for-all right now,” Casey explains, “but it’s Superhero Day, so the children will be making capes. The two of you can make your own or walk around and help where it’s needed. Let’s get their attention.”
She steps toward the center of the room, stands on the smallest chair I’ve ever seen, and cups both hands around her mouth like a megaphone.
“Attention, superheroes! We have a very special guest with us today. His name is Steele Harlow, and he plays for the Rock City Renegades. Everyone give him a nice, loud welcome!”
The room erupts in tiny cheers as children flock toward Steele in a hurry.
I fall back several steps, allowing them room to say hello and give high-fives.
I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles out of me as they yank him toward a long craft table, clearly excited to get started on their capes.
I snap a few quick photos as they get to work, decorating the fabric with colorful stickers and glitter pens.
A little girl hands him a sheet of adhesive footballs, and he takes it with a smile before tickling her cheek.
She giggles, her little pigtails bouncing as she dances in her seat.
I’m lost in the way he looks like he’s genuinely having fun, barely noticing that I’m no longer alone until a familiar voice fills the air around me.
“I was hoping I’d see you here,” Mitch says, making me turn in his direction abruptly.
Unlike our normal greetings, where I wouldn’t think twice before jumping into his arms for a big, friendly hug, I’m hesitant to even look at him.
His usual smile is there, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, letting me know that he’s unsure of how to act.
I left without saying goodbye the other night, so I can only imagine what’s going through his head.
Maybe he just thinks I wasn’t feeling well.
Or maybe he noticed that Steele disappeared shortly after I did and never came back.
Either way, it’s better to hash it out now, rather than to let it fester and make things more awkward in the future.
“Hey,” I reply, tucking a blonde curl behind my ear. “I was hoping we could talk. Do you have a minute?”
He swallows thickly, nodding. “Sure. Should we step into the hallway? Or there’s a family lounge down the hall. It was empty when I walked by.”
“Yeah, that’s good. Let me just tell Steele where I’m going.”