Chapter Nineteen #2
His medical records had included a number of concussion instances throughout his career.
Depending on the severity, he might not be cleared to play ever again.
And, even if he was, he’d probably need to be insured and the insurance would most likely be astronomical.
It was incredibly likely that no tam would be willing to take that on.
He looked up at her. Sadness and defeat made the blue of his eyes deeper, like the ocean during a storm. She wanted to rage and scream on his behalf, rail against the universe. Hadn’t he been through enough this week? Hadn’t he suffered enough?
But, most of all, she wanted to wrap him in her arms and hold him. Protect him. Let him know she was here, that he didn’t have to go through this alone, that if she had her way, he’d never have to go through anything alone, ever again. She took a step forward. “Nick…”
He took another step back and shook his head. “I can’t do this right now. I’ve got to go. They’re waiting.” He stepped around her and out the door, without looking back.
The click of the door latch was loud in the silence, like a gunshot right through her soul.
Alex wandered out of the medical room and into the hallway, numbness seeping through her. The third time was supposed to be the charm, and yet somehow the universe had conspired against her again. Maybe it was a sign. Maybe she and Nick were a mistake, and she was being saved from something worse.
But then, why did it hurt so damn much? And what if something happened to him?
There was no guarantee he was okay, even though he’d seemed fine in the room.
He could have a cracked skull, or a brain bleed…
Would she ever forgive herself if something happened and she hadn’t told him how she felt?
Her fingers tingled, her skin turning icy.
“Alex?”
She looked up. Tyler was walking toward her, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his coat. She tried to smile but she couldn’t muster the energy. “Hey, Tyler. What are you doing here?”
“I’d ask you the same question, except I just watched him getting into the ambulance.”
She nodded, her chin feeling awfully wobbly all of a sudden.
He wrapped her in his arms and gave her a squeeze.
It felt so nice to have someone hold her.
She hugged him in return. He patted her on the back, the move so brotherly, she wanted to laugh.
But she couldn’t, because she was afraid if she opened her mouth, she’d sob.
So, she just held on and tried to stop her insides from shattering into millions of pieces.
After a few minutes, Tyler pulled back, holding her upper arms and looking down at her. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” He linked his arm with hers and ushered her down the hall.
“Where are we going?” Her voice was a little cracked around the edges, but overall, not bad.
“To get something to eat. And maybe a drink.” His mouth turned down in a fierce frown. “Yeah, a drink would be perfect right about now.”
A couple of hours later, she was nursing her second glass of wine, sitting across from Tyler in a booth at the bar of one of the downtown hotels. She assumed it was the one he was staying at. It was high-end, and way out of her price range.
She’d tried to bow out, go back to her hotel and…
well, probably cry, but he wouldn’t have it.
Had insisted she come with him, blaming his terrifying fear of eating alone.
She doubted that was the case. He didn’t seem like the kind to worry about such things.
And he was far too handsome and charismatic to be alone for long if he didn’t want to be.
The only reason she’d relented was because the earliest flight home she could get didn’t leave until tomorrow at noon.
The waiter came by and picked up their empty plates.
Well, his empty plate and her half-eaten burger.
She’d thought that bad-for-you comfort food would make her feel better, but she’d barely been able to eat anything.
And what she had eaten was currently sitting in her stomach like it’d been dipped in lead.
“Feeling better?” Tyler took a sip of his beer.
He’d been patient, keeping the conversation light, avoiding anything volatile, like Nick and their crash-and-burn relationship.
It probably helped that she’d been lost in her own thoughts and wasn’t feeling very chatty.
And that his side of the table was facing the TV and there was a game playing.
“Not really.” She slid her thumb up and down the stem of her wine glass. “But thanks for hanging out with me.” This time she was able to give him a small smile. Yay, progress.
His phone chimed and he picked it up—he’d gotten a couple of messages during their meal, but she couldn’t fault him for reading them. She was hardly good company. Besides, they probably had something to do with his job.
She swallowed the last of her wine and placed the glass on the table.
There wasn’t much point in hanging around any longer.
Tyler had been great, but she just wanted to be alone to lick her wounds in peace.
She needed to grab a cab back to her budget hotel and cry it out.
Maybe in the tub. Once she’d had a good, long cry, she was sure she’d feel better.
Then, tomorrow, she’d go home and get on with her life.
Move forward, as always.
“I’m going to head out.” She grabbed her purse. “Thanks for this. Not that I was good company. But I appreciate it.” Her voice sounded relatively normal, so that was good. She slid some cash onto the table to pay for her dinner and drinks.
He covered her hand with his, trapping her before she could slip out of the booth. His face was solemn. “Don’t give up on him.”
Apparently, tip-toeing-around-the-elephant-in-the-room-time had come to an end. She shook her head, exhaustion sweeping through her. “He gave up on me.”
“That’s not true, Alex.” He squeezed her fingers. “He’s just had a lot of shit thrown at him these last couple of weeks.”
She nodded. There was no denying that. That Nick was still standing, still functioning, was a testament to his strength. It just sucked he’d refused to let her help him carry the burden.
Just like you let him help with the building and the business, you mean?
She smothered that thought before it could gain traction. Rehashing her stupidity wasn’t going to help. Both she and Nick had made mistakes, done and said things to hurt each other, even if it hadn’t been intentional.
“I’m not making excuses for him,” he said, his voice soft and serious. Very unlike the Tyler she was coming to know. “Just don’t make any decisions until you at least talk to him.”
“I’ll try, but I think it’s too late.”
He glanced over her head. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
She looked over her shoulder.
Nick stood there, his cheeks flushed, his chest heaving, like he’d been running. Why was he running? He shouldn’t be exerting himself so soon after a head injury. He was glancing around the bar like he was searching for something.
Or someone.
Without thinking, she slipped out of the booth, unsure of what to do with herself. Part of her wanted to run to him, the other part wanted to run away.
His gaze landed on her. She felt like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming semi-truck. Time screeched to a halt. She forgot how to breathe.
“Thank Christ.” His exclamation was loud. Just about everyone in the bar turned to stare at him.
He strode toward her, coming closer and closer and closer. His gaze devoured her, like a starving man let loose at an all-you-can eat buffet.
She didn’t know what to do, what to say, what to think.
He stopped in front of her, his hands stuffed in the pocket of his coat.
The bandage was still on his forehead, but the smudge of blood had been wiped away.
His eyes were clear, the glassy fog from earlier completely gone.
Heat radiated from him. She wanted to lean into it, let it thaw her icy skin.
“Nick…” Her voice cracked, every feeling inside her pouring out with the single syllable.
And then he was kissing her, his lips against hers, warm and insistent. He cupped her face in his hands, his touch, gentle, almost reverent.
She slipped her hands inside his unbuttoned coat and wrapped her arms around him, melting against his chest and soaking in his heat, not quite believing he was here. That he was here, and he was kissing her.
He brushed his tongue against her lips. She opened her mouth, welcoming him in. His deep, dark taste exploded everywhere his tongue explored. She made an unexpected needy sound in the back of her throat, squeezed him tighter. He trembled.
She fisted her hands in the back of his shirt, holding tight. He pulled away from the kiss. She whimpered, not ready to stop kissing him. She wanted to kiss him forever.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, pressing his lips against her forehead. He kept repeating it over and over again as he pressed kisses all over her face.
Someone cleared their throat. He lifted his head, moving his hands down so they rested on her hips. She glanced over her shoulder. Tyler stood next to the booth, his smile wide, but with a sly edge. The waiter was clearing the table, sneaking glances at them, an amused look on his face.
Her cheeks prickled at all the attention, but honestly, she didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was Nick and that he was here. With her. In her arms. She’d been so sure she’d lost him, it was hard to believe this was really happening.
Tyler walked over. “I’m going to head out.”
Nick nodded. “Sounds good.”
She let go of the death grip she had on Nick and stepped back. What she really wanted to do was bury her face against his chest and just breathe him in. But she couldn’t do that.
And not only because of their audience. She couldn’t let her feelings and her hormones take over, at least not until they had a chance to talk.
Tyler pressed a kiss to her temple. “Even though he’s an idiot, hear him out.” The words were low, for her ears only.