Page 167 of Stolen Bases

I flick on the light in my bedroom as I walk through the door and kick off my shoes. I place my snack and water on my desk, then pull my cell from my crossbody purse before chucking it on the floor near my shoes. The smell of hospital cleanser and sweat make my stomach turn.

A shower is definitely needed before bed.

I reach for the bottom of my shirt when, out of nowhere, a man’s voice yells, “Stop!” scaring the absolute piss out of me.

“Jesus!” With a spin, I jump back, clutching my chest as my heart pumps wildly in its cage. “You idiot! What are you doing here?”

My brother is lying in my bed with his ankles crossed and sleep wrinkles imprinted on his cheek. His voice is thick with sleep. “I was waiting for you, but I must have dozed off. What time is it?” He rubs his face, blinking his eyes open.

“It’s after midnight. I got stuck waiting for another nurse. I didn’t want to leave Dr. Winters without coverage. Now, answer my question. What are you doing here?”

He shrugs. “I came to check on you.”

“Nico. Don’t BS me. You haven’t come by to”—I use my fingers to emphasize—“check on mein years. Is something wrong?”

I don’t say Cameron’s name, because I don’t know where my brother is at, but Nico is smart. He knows that’s what I want to know.

No matter how busy I was at work, Cam was never out of my thoughts. I’ve missed him so much.

“Relax, lover boy is fine. Well…” Nico scratches his head, eyes squinted, and hesitates.

“Nico, if something is wrong, you have to tell me.”

My brain goes into panic mode. Is Cam hurt? Did he get in an accident? Did something happen to his family?

“Chill, Lia. Miller’s not hurt, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Oh, thank God.” I don’t know what I would do if Cam got hurt.

Would he want to see me? We’ve texted here and there, but for the first time in our relationship, I don’t think either of us knows what to say.

“But…” Nico hesitates before sitting up and back against my headboard.

“But what, Nic? Spit it out already.” I’m going to smack him if he doesn’t tell me what’s going on.

He shakes his head and whistles. “He’s playing like shit.”

“What?” That can’t be true. Cam was on a streak.

My thoughts stop dead. He was on a streak before the whole thing with Nico happened and I went back to work. And I stopped calling.

“No.”

Nico tugs on the back of his neck uncomfortably. “Yeah. It’s bad. He asked Coach to bench him.”

My mouth feels cottony and dry. Cameron is so dedicated to being the best and giving his all, every game. There is no way he would want to sit out. Right?

“Please tell me you’re kidding.”

“I wish. Even I feel bad for him.” Nico slaps the bed. “Come here and let me show you something.”

Waving a hand down my body, I tell Nico, “I need a minute. I can’t wear these dirty scrubs anymore.”

My brother nods in understanding.

I grab some pajamas and rush to the bathroom. I don’t even wait for the water to warm before getting in and scrubbing myself clean as fast as I can. When I return, Nico is watching something on his phone.

I can hear the announcer say Cam’s name. “What are you watching?”

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