Page 72 of Nailing Heat
He pulls me into a side hug, carefully, keeping me balanced on my crutches. I feel his lips press to my temple; he holds themthere. I relax into him and let him hold me. It’s everything that I’ve been needing and wanting since I got to the field. Sure, my teammates have all given me hugs and high-fives but there’s something about being in Dex’s arms that is so comforting and safe.
If I didn’t feel so sure about the man he is, it might scare me.
“Thank you,” I mumble, finally pulling back to look at him. “I really needed that.”
He grins at me. “I’m happy to do whatever you need, peach. Just know that I’m here for you. And I’m going to stay by your side throughout this whole game. You and me; we’ll watch this match together.”
“What if you have to sprint out onto the field again?” I tease him, remembering the way he came out there for me, faster than any trainer I’ve ever worked with.
“Well, I walk respectfully out there and attend to the injured. But no bridal carries today. I will wait for the cart. I wouldn’t want there to be any question with the media whose white knight I’m interested in being.” He winks at me, and I swear I melt on the spot.
“Okay.” It is one word which doesn’t feel like enough after what he confessed but it’s all I can manage.
“Okay,” he repeats, leaning in so quickly for a kiss that I barely feel it on my lips. “We should get seated; the warm-ups are about to end. And then it’ll be show time.”
I nod. “Yeah, let’s get seated.”
I make my way past the spots on the benches where the subs will be seated, waiting for their opportunity to go into the game. I stop when we reach the end, where Dex and Lucas usually sit.
“Let’s get you comfy here,” Dex says, getting ready to assist me with my crutches once I’m seated. He pulls a backpack off his back that I hadn’t noticed before and sets it down beside him. “I brought you some snacks and your favorite Gatorade, hoping to make this game more enjoyable.”
“How do you know my favorite Gatorade?” I ask him.
He chuckles. “Are you kidding me, the only thing in our fridge is the zero-sugar purple kind. How could I not pick out your favorite flavor? And I’ve noticed that in a pinch, when you can’t have grape, you take the orange. Which is weird because orange always reminds me of the hospital for some reason.”
I laugh. “Yeah, well, sometimes we don’t have the purple here, so the orange is all I have to work with.”
“Well, maybe I should make sure that Watts fixes that moving forward.” He grins at me.
“No, please don’t do that. No special treatment,” I warn him.
He chuckles. “Fine, I’ll make sure that we have plenty at home and also in the fridge in my office, so you’re never far from your favorite flavor.”
I blush, the way this man has already gone out of his way to take care of me, keeps catching me by surprise, but I love it. “You really are something else.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I have no idea how someone could leave him, but I don’t say it. He feels responsible for the divorce, whatever caused it, so I don’t want to poke the bear.
“Are you comfortable? Is there anything else that you need?” he asks, after he takes his seat beside me.
“No, I’m okay.” But I feel anything but okay. It’s sinking in that this game is about to begin and I won’t be out there. I can’t be. And I knew this coming to the stadium today. I’m in no condition to play. But this is harder than I thought it would be.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, breathing in and out slowly. Then I do it again and again. I feel him grab my hand and give it a squeeze.
“You’ve got this. I’ve got you,” he whispers lowly. “Just keep on breathing.”
“I know, I know.” I can tell that my voice sounds anything but sure. There’ a tremble to it and I’m biting on my lip to keep myself from shedding a tear.
Dex pulls me to this side, holding me close, while letting me watch the announcements of the starting lineup. I cheer and clap for the team because I’m not going to be petty. But a part of me is dying inside that I’m not out there with them. But I make it through, with only a tear or two sliding down my cheek.
Dex surprises me by reaching out and wiping the tears away. “Let’s not let them see you cry. It’s going to be okay,” he whispers and I believe him.
By the time the whistle blows to mark the start of the game, I have composed myself and I’m pretty sure that no one has noticed the tears.
“Here, what if we start out with these, peach?” He hands me a bag of sour peach rings. “I thought they would be most appropriate for you.”
I giggle. “I love these, thanks. How did you know?”
“I’ve noticed the sour candies hanging around the house. So, it wasn’t hard to figure out that pretty much anything I could find that was gummy and sugary would be right up your alley.”
