Page 13 of Wild Card

“Yes.”

“Phone number?”

“Yes.”

“How about emergency contact? Should I add your wife? Girlfriend?” Her gaze darts to Rowan.

“Darlin’, I completed the pre-registration information online. Everything is accurate.”

At the term of endearment, her eyes flare and she chews on her bottom lip. “Here you go, Mr. Simms.”

I take my cards, going back to Rowan who’s grinning like a loon. “You can’t help it.”

“Help what?”

“That girl stuttering over herself.”

“I have that effect on most women. This one’s a little young for me though.”

“Such a playboy.”

“I prefer the term lover.”

She rolls her eyes.

“Seriously, I’m all checked in like a good boy. You can stop your mothering and get to the salon before Ford rolls up and makes a scene.”

Her smile falters. “I’m already here. Maybe I should go back with you.”

As much as I adore her, this woman is driving me nuts.

“How about I stop by the salon on my way home with a full report.”

She seems to think about it and finally nods. “Okay.”

I lean in, kiss her cheek, and gently prod her toward the door.

A young guy walks out, calling my name, and I hold up a finger until Rowan’s SUV is out of sight.

We go down a hallway until it opens into a huge room loaded with equipment and machines. With my history, I can tell you what most everything in this room is for.

A guy in a knee brace is working on leg extensions, his face a mask of uncomfortable determination as he pushes through.

“Tough kid, shame what happened to him,” my escort states, shaking his head. I’m about to ask more when the guy faces my way.

“Is that Mansfield?”

“Yes.”

“Shit. Saw that game.”

A phantom pain shoots down my leg, thinking about the scene on the court. This kid is a rising star who had every NBA scout drooling over him. Rumor has it he is as brilliant as he is talented. Wooed by all the colleges to play basketball and stayed close to family, signing with Vanderbilt. He got a full ride, taking the team to the top. In one second, it all changed when an opposing player took a dirty move, causing Mansfield to go down.

A riot broke out on the court after he was carted off.

A while later, the team confirmed he was out for the rest of the season and was in surgery for his knee, his future unclear.

The other player was suspended and the NCAA is conducting a review.

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