page23 (1/2)

"Frankit's Ryker Evans"

"What's up?" he asks in a clipped tone For some reason, he doesn't like me either

"I' into surgery in a few hours I'ame"

I don't knohy I expect it, but I do I expect the fucker to show an ounce of sympathy I expect him to ask details of what happened, and offer to help in any way Instead, he's grouchy when he says, "You can't get so?"

"Are you fucking kiddinga shit that he's one of my superiors "Are you seriously that much of an asshole?"

Frank is stunned silent, which is a good thing No telling what else I'd say to hiive hi to want time to prepare"

I hang up the phone, stuff it into my pocket, and scrub my hands over my face with exhaustion Did Frank just now represent to anization? That a win is more important than our families?

Shaking ency room There's no way I knoithout a doubt Gray wouldn't expect ame of the championship

I stop and pullof Gray

I send her a quick text Ruby broke her arery Max will be in for me

I know she'll text me back as soon as she can Or call Yeah, she'll probably call

I know this because over the past s have actually sort of progressed with us I'h to think I char this a real chance But I do think she's taken with the feelings that co it between the sheets The intimacy is new to her, scary at times, but mostly she's entranced by it

She's an honest and up-front woman She told me as much

While we still very much need to hide our relationship, we strive to see each other as h it's risky for her to coames, we still do it And it's not just to have sex There have been a few nights we've been so tired because of our schedule we merely lie in bed, cuddle, and talk until one of us falls asleep It's always nerve-racking, though, when it's time for Gray to make her escape

The easiest way for us to be together has been Gray coirls are at school I ht fix us lunch and we'll sit and talk, or sometieet a copy of a product-endorsement contract and I stopped in briefly just to see Gray I only intended to say hello, but she beckoned me in and I shut the door behind me

That led to a quickitchy and unsatisfied

Past that, we talk on the phone a lot Or text It's a daily thing now, and it's not only habit to include her inalmost a necessity I think the mere fact that I see Gray as a source of comfort today speaks volumes

Stillthat's about as far as it goes right now We can't go out in public, so I can't take her out on a date We can't see each other on the weekends because I have the girls While these are things I would do in a heartbeat and say fuck the consequences, I will never push Gray to givethat could harm her or her career in any way

So I ive me

I walk back to Ruby's bed, but before I can even make it there, Gray calls

"What happened?" she asks in a panicky, concerned voice

I tell her the details, including my conversation with Frank She actually hisses at that and her voice is furious when she says, "That fucker That motherfucker"

And for the first tie, Miss Brannon"

"I'ive it another thought It's e have two goalies on a team and the ability to call another up from the minors if we need itbecause shit happens"

"I know," I assure her, so she calo?"