Page 115 of Hard Hitter
The owner’s mouth formed a thin line. “She hit her head yesterday. She said it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time.”
“Oh god,” Ari gasped. “I was there. She insisted she was fine.”
Nate winced. “In the night she had a lot of pain, and felt really ill. Her sister took her to Brooklyn Methodist. They’re running some tests.”
She and Patrick exchanged a glance. Becca hadn’t looked too bad yesterday. And she’d denied hitting her head. Poor girl was probably trying to save her dignity. “That is terrible. What can I do to help? Does she need anything in the hospital?”
“That is an excellent question. When we hear more, I’ll let you know. In the meantime...” He turned his gaze to Patrick. “Could you let your teammates know that they need to take it easy on the office until she’s back? I’ve asked Lauren to step in, because she’s terrific in a crisis. But things won’t go as smoothly for a little while.”
“Sure,” Patrick said. “Though I’m probably the worst offender. I’ll tell my guys they have to take a little extra care with travel arrangements and receipts. To not make anyone chase ’em down.”
Nate turned to Ari. “And how are you feeling? Do you need any additional time off?”
She shook her head quickly. “We’ll be back to yoga tomorrow morning. No worries. You and the rest of your team have been extraordinarily helpful to me.”
“I’m happy to hear that.” He smiled. “All right. I’m heading into Manhattan, but I’ll see you both at the game tonight.” He got up and left the cookie shop.
***
Ari had two people to see in the Bruisers offices that afternoon. She had a message from Georgia asking her to swing by. And she needed to pick up her pay stub from Queen Lauren.
She went to Georgia first, of course, because she was still mad at Lauren.
“Hi, gorgeous!” Georgia called from behind her desk. “Thanks for stopping by.”
“What’s up?” She flopped down into the visitors’ chair.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.”
Her friend folded her hands on her desk and licked her lips nervously. “Would you be a bridesmaid in my wedding? I know it’s kind of a pain, with the fussy dresses and all the...”
“Yes,” Ari said firmly. “I’d be happy to.”
Georgia’s face lit up. “Really? Thank you! I hate asking for things like this. Not everybody likes pomp and circumstance.”
“It would be my pleasure. And do you need help with the planning?” It had just occurred to her that Becca’s concussion was going to affect more than the Bruisers’ front office. “I don’t want you to worry because Becca is sick.”
“I’m not worried about the wedding,” Georgia said. “It will be fine. But I am worried about Becca. I’m heading over to her apartment right now, actually. Want to come with me?”
“Of course. I just have to swing through the GM’s office to get my pay stub.”
“Me too,” Georgia agreed. She got up and tossed some things into her bag, and then grabbed her jacket. “Let’s go.”
When they entered the office it was Lauren who was seated at Becca’s desk. She wore a sour face as she sorted through the stack of pay stubs with her perfect, shiny nails.
It pained Ari to see her sitting where Becca should be. “Thank you,” she said as Lauren slid her document across the desk.
“So,” Lauren said, handing Georgia’s over, too. “Doulie, huh? Interesting pick. I always thought of him as a cold fish, but I think he likes you.”
Ari realized she had a problem. She was supposed to work with Lauren for the next couple of weeks, even though she was horribly mad at her. The only thing to do was to clear the air. “Lauren, I didn’t appreciate your making a big deal of it in front of Nate this morning. That was embarrassing to me.”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t care. Hell, that man loves gossip.”
“Well.” She cleared her throat. “In Becca’s experience, even when she’s just joking around with...”
Lauren laughed suddenly. “Stop right there. Rebecca’s experience isnotrelevant.”
