Chapter 7
7
Grant didn’t remember much after they got to the hospital, except Cassie was there the whole time. There were pain meds and then just a black void with Cassie’s voice, keeping him steady and connected to the world.
Surgery was inevitable, and they’d set his finger and released him. That much he knew happened, even if he couldn’t remember it. Grant would have to see the team physician on Monday, he guessed, to see if they’d let him play.
Many other players could return with a broken finger, so he was confident he wouldn’t miss too much game time. He laid on the bed with an arm over his eyes, dreading getting up and wondering why he Cassie’s scent of berries and lemon was so strong.
Finally, he resigned himself to opening his eyes and seeing what the day had in store for him. To his shock, he wasn’t at home. Nothing around him looked familiar until he turned his head and noticed Cassie in the bed with him.
He had to be at her place, but why? He only lived across the hall. Had he said something to her? Oh, no. Grant wracked his brain to come up with some memory of what he’d said last night.
“Good morning,” Cassie said. Her voice was still full of sleep and Grant had to move to hide how much that turned him on.
“Good morning.” He faced her with a smile.
“Do you need pain meds?” she asked. “I filled your prescription before we left the hospital.”
“You did?” He really missed more than he thought. Pain meds were always too hard on him. “I’m good.”
“Yeah. I wondered how much you’d remember. You were a little loopy before they took you back and then more when you were done.” She giggled. “It was quite comical.”
“I am to entertain.” His voice was deadpan.
“Do you remember anything the doctor said?” Cassie sat up and he realized they were both still fully clothed from last night.
“No. Pain meds aren’t my friend.”
“I can tell.” She stood up and stretched her arms over her head, pulling her shirt tight across her breasts as she did. “He said you can probably return to play after a few days when they put the hard cast on.”
“Thank God.” He was so glad she was there paying attention.
“Breakfast?” She asked.
“I don’t want to impose on you. I’m sure you have somewhere to be.” Grant shifted and willed his growing erection to go down as he sat up.
“You aren’t, and I don’t have much to do. I’ll put some coffee on.”
“Not to be ungrateful, but why am I here?” Grant asked before she walked off.
She shook her head. “Your stuff was still at the stadium and while most of the team came to see you, no one thought to bring it. So after Ben drove us home last night, we had no way to get into your apartment.”
“Oh.” That made sense.
“Yeah. If you can wait, I’ll take us up there to get your things after we eat, or at least after I eat.”
After last night, he wasn’t really hungry but knew he’d need to eat something. “Got any apples?”
He followed her from her bedroom and into the kitchen. She was starting a pot of coffee as someone knocked on the door.
“I swear this better be a solicitor because if I’m related to the person on the other side of that door, I’m going to lose my shit.”
Grant chuckled as she stormed over to the door and yanked it open.
“Cassie.” It was one of her brothers.
“Smart, definitely bring Reagan as a buffer. What do you want?”
Grant didn’t get up from the seat he’d taken at the bar as he listened.
“Went by the stadium.” Whichever brother it was answered. “Car and belongings returned. How’s he doing?”
Her sigh was no doubt backed by an eye roll, but she opened the door wide for them. “Ask him yourself.”
“Grant,” Ben said when he saw him. “That was some night.”
“Definitely was that.”
“How’s your hand?” he asked, taking a seat next to him.
“Hurts like a bitch, but I’ll live.”
“Did you take anything?”
Grant shook his head. “Don’t like pain meds.”
“Try some over-the-counter stuff instead.” Ben got up and walked away before returning with a bottle of it. “Here.”
“Thanks.” It might take the edge off. He doubted it, but it was worth a shot. Since he’d gotten up, it was throbbing, and he didn’t love it.
“Reagan is disappointed by my coffee selection.” Cassie pointed at her coffee pot.
“Pathetic,” Reagan said with a serious note. “Does everyone want their usuals?”
“You don’t need to get us coffee,” Ben told her. “Hang out. I promise we will all service with some regular coffee.”
Reagan shook her head. “It won’t take that long.”
Ben opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it back. Whatever it was, he clearly thought better of it.
“If you insist,” Cassie started, “we will all take whatever is easiest for you.”
“Want me to ride with you?” Ben stood.
“I’ve got it,” Reagan assured him.
Cassie walked Reagan to the door and closed it after her. “I’m going to shower before she gets back.”
Ben and Grant sat at the bar as they waited. Grant reached into a bowl on the counter and grabbed an apple as Ben took a banana.
“What’s the deal with you and Reagan?” Grant asked, getting the sense there was more there than met the eye.
“What’s the deal with you and my sister?” Ben countered.
“Nothing. We’re just friends.” Even Grant knew that wasn’t the whole story.
“Same,” Ben answered.
“Fine. Keep your secrets. I was just making conversation.” He took a large bite out of the apple.
“She never left your side last night,” Ben said. “She refused to walk away and drove the nurses crazy with questions. The doctor had to come reassure her, twice, that you’d be able to play again soon.”
That shocked him like nothing else could. He didn’t know all that. When he heard her voice last night, it was soothing, comforting, reassuring.
“I didn’t know,” Grant admitted.
“I figured. She was really worried about you and I’m glad you let her come with you. Whatever is going on between you two isn’t my business, but you won’t hear that from the rest of my family. I’ll say this though, sort it out before it goes too far because you’re temporary here and she’s not.”