Page 208 of Wild Card

“We done here? I have a drag show to crash.”

“Jesus, you rookies are killing me.” Boyd shakes his head in disappointment. “Drag show? Ford know about his woman’s bachelorette?”

“What do you think?”

“I think it’s a miracle you fools found women who put up with you.”

“For once, I agree with that.”

“You going to hitch the PT to you permanently before she sees the light?”

“Working on it.”

Robbie’s phone chimes and he grunts when he checks the screen. “Gotta go, Ember’s on stage.”

“Right behind you,” I call to his back on the way out the door.

Boyd’s eyes bore into me, his mind rolling. “Simms, I may not have the details, but I do know you don’t always have to be the damn hero.”

“Hero is my middle name.”

He hangs his head, rubbing the back of his neck for a few seconds before focusing back to me. “The time comes you’re needed, be careful.”

“Always.”

I slap him on the shoulder and head back to the bullpen.

I’m ready to get to my woman.

Tomorrow, we’ll deal with the rest.

30

WILLOW

I waitwith bated breath as the hourglass twirls. Seconds seem like a lifetime. There’s a reset and the screen transitions into the dashboard.

My eyes squeeze shut. “I can’t.” Panic sets in.

“You look like Wyatt when he’s about to burst.” Bex is too calm.

I peer at the phone screen through a hooded lid. Facetime is blurry, but I can make out the glass of wine in her hand.

“Are you drinking?”

“This is stressful.”

“Ditto.” Lucas toasts his beer bottle in the split screen.

“What is wrong with you two? This is important.”

“We already know the results, Wills.”

Our professors and Abe recommended a series of exams.

Lucas and Bex took theirs earlier today and have been patiently waiting for me to share the results.

I take a deep breath and peek at the computer screen.

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