Page 34 of Delay of Game

“Hi, I’m looking for Olivia Wilson, she was brought over not too long ago. Am I in the right spot?” I ask, glancing down at her name tag that readsJanice.

“Let me guess, you’re her fiancée too?” she says with an amused expression.

“Pardon?” I ask, confused.

“Olivia is getting an MRI. Her fiancé is in there keeping her company and getting his hand checked out,” Janice says, looking at her computer. I frown but then realize Robbie must have told her he’s engaged to Olivia so they could let him in.

I smirk and tap the counter a few times. Janice raises an eyebrow at me and I shake my head, smiling. “That’s my future sister-in-law right there, take good care of her,” I say, and retreat to the waiting area. Janice laughs and winks at me and I immediately feel better, knowing they’re both okay and looked after.

Hospital chairs, as I’ve found out over the years, are notoriously uncomfortable. Nevertheless, I find a position that works best, pulling my knees up to my chin and resting my phone there. I type a message to the rest of my family and the friends group chat with the hospital name and floor number and settle in, opening up an ebook to pass the time.

An hour later,my parents show up with Michael and Tangela in tow. My nieces are nowhere in sight and while I’mbummed because I haven’t seen them in a while, they probably shouldn’t be out this late at night anyway.

“Any news?” my mom asks, and I shake my head no.

“Robbie mentioned they’re waiting on some results and that for the most part she’s okay.”

“That’s good,” Mom says, squeezing my forearm. I pull her into a hug and smile to myself, wondering if I should tell her the whole “fiancé” bit. She’ll probably go ballistic and pester Robbie to actually propose soon, so I hold my tongue.

“I’m glad you could all come. I’m sure this will mean the world to Robbie,” I say, walking over to Michael where he sat down in a chair. Just to be a menace, I ruffle his hair like he used to do to me when I was a kid, and he playfully swats me away.

“Robbie will be just fine, it’s Olivia I’m worried about,” Mom says, tucking her silver-streaked blond hair behind her ears in a familiar gesture.

“Hey, did we miss anything?” a voice says from behind me, and I turn to see Ash and Eli standing shoulder to shoulder.

“No news yet, waiting on them to come out or for Robbie to text with updates.” I give each of the boys a hug.

“I brought them clothes,” Eli says, gesturing to the plastic bag he’s holding.

“Good, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. Where’s Jordan?”

“Parking.”

I nod and pace around the corridor, checking my phone to see if Robbie sent updates. When I get back to the sitting room, Jordan is in one of the chairs, his back to me. It takes everything in me not to rush over and hug him. That game was brutal and I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy to see that hit up close.

I look down at the jersey I’m still wearing and bite my lip, making my way over and walking by him to take a seat. When our eyes connect, I can tell he’s affected by my choice in attire.

I’ve had his jersey for years, usually only wearing it to games when I know he won’t see me in it afterwards. But tonight, I dug it out and planned to surprise him at his apartment, wearing nothing but the jersey with number 20 on it.His jersey.

Jordan swallows hard, his nostrils flaring and eyes turning a dark shade of brown. If my entire family weren’t here, he’d probably maul me.

I listen to the chatter around me and pull out my phone, sneaking glances at Jordan. He looks hot in his post-game attire, wearing a dark red button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and slacks that show off his muscular thighs. His hands grab the arms of the chair and he flexes, knowing how much I like the muscles in his forearms.

Blushing, I peek at his face and find him smirking at me.Hot nerdy bastard.I focus on my phone instead and text him.

Alice

If you keep looking at me like that, you might give our secret away.

Jordan

If you keep wearing my jersey, I might bend you over right here in this waiting room.

Alice

Ooh, are you a bit of an exhibitionist?

The tips of Jordan’s ears turn pink, and he bites his lip as he contemplates a reply. I love flustering him, especially when it comes to sex.

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