Page 96 of Hard Hitter
She stood up. “Good point. But I still want to soak right now. I just want to wash it all away.”
“I know, baby. Go ahead. I’ll bring you a mug of tea, too?”
Ari gave him a weak smile. “I have no idea what I’d do without you today.”
He kissed her cheek and nudged her toward the bathroom. The truth was that there were a lot of people standing by to help. Her mom and her great-uncle in Florida had already bought plane tickets to fly up tomorrow to stay with her. And Becca and Georgia would have happily taken her in.
The reason Ari was here with him was becauseheneeded it, and she’d allowed it. If she’d gone to stay in the guest room at Leo’s he’d probably be camped out on the floor right now, just watching over her.
Even if they weren’t a couple, he still had it bad for her.
***
After her bath he’d tucked her into his bed. He’d killed the lights, hoping she could sleep. Then he’d taken a long, hotshower. Twelve hours ago he’d thought his life was over. And maybe his hockey career was still about to swirl down the drain, but that problem seemed a hell of a lot smaller than it had first thing this morning.
Taking care to be quiet, he put on flannel pants and a T-shirt and climbed into bed.
Ari rolled immediately, closing the distance between them, laying her head on his shoulder. He welcomed her in with a sigh.
“Are you okay?” she asked sleepily.
“I’m fine,” he said automatically.
“Earlier today we were shouting at each other.”
“I remember,” he sighed. “But that conversation can wait.”
“You’ll tell me the truth?”
“I will,” he promised.
They lay there together a while longer, and he began to feel drowsy. Her head was a comfortable weight on his body. It held him in place. He felt grounded by her presence.
“I got you a coffeemaker,” she said suddenly.
“What?”
“A coffeemaker. You asked me if they were easy to shop for, so I just bought you the same model I have at home. It’s in my treatment room. I didn’t get a chance to give it to you today.”
Oh my fucking god. He smiled into her hair. “Thank you, sweetheart. That was nice of you. Now go to sleep.”
She did.
TWENTY-NINE
TUESDAY, MARCH 29TH
Standings: 3th Place
9 Regular Season Games Remaining
When Ari woke up the next morning she was alone. But there was a note on the pillow beside her.
Sweetheart—
I had to go to practice this morning because I cannot afford not to show my face. Georgia is waiting to walk to work with you this morning. Could you please give her a call and walk with her? We’re all just trying to make sure you’re okay.
—P
