Page 57 of Cheap Shot
Definitely sent by Stacey on a recon mission. Parker was in a meeting with Dad and Cooper all morning, going over the injury reports for the rookies at training camp. There was no way he’d have known that I didn’t show up on time this morning.
“Sorry. I forgot to set my alarm last night before going to bed. It was a long day.”
That wasn’t a complete lie. I forgot to set my alarm, but I woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with the sun this morning, since I went to bed so early. Imhotep was not amused about being woken up from his peaceful slumber, a fact I’m sure he’d have told me about if he could talk.
“Ah, it happens to the best of us.” Parker smiles. “How are your first few days going? Anyone giving you a hard time?”
My hackles raise immediately, having a feeling I know what he’s trying to ask. “If you want to know if Cole is giving me a hard time, just come out and ask. No need to skate around the subject,” I retort, snapping the towel in my hand loudly before folding it quickly and adding it to the pile.
“Fine. Has Cole been giving you a hard time? I heard about the little wager you two made.”
“This place is worse than high school,” I grumble, grabbing the stack of freshly folded towels and heading for the other side of the room.
I could tell Parker that it was all my idea to get Cole motivated to follow his treatment plan, but I doubt he’d believe me. Everyone around here sees Cole as the devil incarnate. I’d ask him, but any time I try to broach the subject of his brothers, he shuts it down immediately.
“It is, but I’m sure you knew that already.” Parker bumps my shoulder, his arm full of the towels he folded, and slides them onto a shelf just too high for me to reach. “Here, let me help you with those.”
“You guys are going to have to put things on lower shelves, or I need a step stool.”
“Or you can have one of us do it for you.” I stiffen, knowing damn well the person I’ve been trying desperately to avoid is standing behind me. My awareness of his proximity, or even when he enters a room, has been heightened since our almost kiss yesterday.
I inhale deeply, blowing the air through my nose before spinning around, my eyes landing right in the center of Cole’s chest. God, I hate being short. I place my hand in the center of his chest, my hand burning from the contact, and he takes a step back.
“There isn’t always someone around when I need to reach something. What do you expect me to do? Call you?”
“Yes,” he responds, staring down at me intently, as if he’s trying to solve a complicated puzzle.
“I think a step stool will do just fine.”
“I’ll get one ordered,” Parker responds, his eyes flicking between Cole and me before speaking again. “I was just talking to Michele about your little wager. You know it's not the best idea to threaten someone’s job to prove a point.”
“He didn’t—” I begin, but Cole cuts me off.
“I figured the higher the stakes, the more motivated she’d be to make sure I got the results I wanted.”
“If Michele says she can get it done, she can. But you need to follow her instructions to the letter. No messing around.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Cole smiles, but it seems forced. Why do I have a feeling that these two are talking about something other than his treatment plan?
“That’s good to hear.” Parker nods before looking down at me. “I’ll be in my office. We can continue this conversation when you are finished with Cole.”
“Okay,” I respond, begging Parker with my eyes not to leave, but he just smiles and heads toward his office, leaving Cole and me alone.
“Did you need something?” I ask, searching for something to keep me busy.
My eyes land on the resistance band rack tucked in the back corner. It's a mess, all the bands tangled and unorganized, making for the perfect distraction. I move to go around Cole toward the tangled mess, but his hand brushes down my arm, gripping my hand in his and pulling me to a stop.
“Why are you avoiding me?” His voice sounds gravelly, with a hint of annoyance.
“I’m not avoiding you,” I reply coolly, my eyes remaining focused on my feet in front of me.
“You didn’t show up for our session this morning. I was worried. I contemplated asking Parker for your number, but decided against it.”
“Sorry. I, umm, overslept.”
“Are you sure that’s what happened?”
I finally turn around and face him. He is in a black sleeveless workout shirt, the outline of the shoulder tape I applied yesterday after making sure he iced his shoulder properly, peeking beneath the fabric. My cheeks heat as the memory of what happened a few moments earlier filters through my mind. If Sammy hadn't walked in when he did, we would’ve been… I don’t know what we would’ve been doing. What I know is that whatever that was can’t happen again.
