Dare To Tempt (Dare Nation 2)

Evie didn’t reply.

Damon glanced at her and she had her gaze on the diplomas on the wall.

“I see you graduated from Duke University and stayed for med school. Did you like North Carolina?” she asked.

His expression grew perplexed, obviously confused by her topic of conversation.

So was Damon.

“Good weather, great football and basketball at Duke. No complaints. Have you been there?” he asked.

She shook her head. “But I’ve heard great things.”

“You’d enjoy it. Maybe you could get Damon here to take you on a visit.”

“Maybe,” she murmured. “Did you keep in touch with a lot of people from your college or med school days? I know I’m still best friends with my roommate.”

Doc gave her an amused glance. “I suppose. Some I lost touch with. Others pop up now and again.”

Still perplexed by her conversation, he glanced at Doc. “All set?” He was ready to get out of here.

“I just wanted to ask about your ankle. You’re due for an injection. Unless you want to put it off until right before you return to play?” Doc was already reaching for the cabinet where he kept the small bottles of medicine.

But Damon wasn’t putting another damn thing in his body right now. Not even the usual. “I’ll wait.”

Doc shrugged and closed the door. “No problem. Your choice.”

“What’s wrong with your ankle? What kind of injection?” Evie asked, concern etching her pretty features.

Damon tipped his head. “Go ahead, Doc. I’ll talk to her.”

He nodded. “Good to meet you, Evie. Damon, take care. Call me if you need anything.” Doc picked up his trusty clipboard and walked out, shutting the door behind them.

Evie popped up from her chair. “What’s going on? You never mentioned shots when we talked.”

“I forgot about them, to tell you the truth. They’re part of my routine.” It wasn’t any different than taking ibuprofen for pain. He rolled his shoulders. “Ask any pro player and you’ll find out they’re getting injections of something on one body part or another. Toradol, Marcaine. As long as we can play, we do it.”

She narrowed her gaze. “Huh. Okay,” she said, but she didn’t seem satisfied with his answer.

“What about you? Why all the questions about Duke and North Carolina?”

“I’ll tell you in the car.” And on that note, they headed out of the office and on to their next stop.

Dare Nation.

* * *

As Evie sat in the passenger seat of Damon’s car, she should be excited for her best friend, who was about to have a surprise proposal. Instead her head was spinning. First there was Doc, who’d been utterly shocked to see a woman by Damon’s side, which made sense. For one thing, she was sure any player bringing a woman to a doctor’s appointment was rare. But in Damon’s case, Doc had confirmed her notion that Damon Prescott was a player. She was just the convenient woman in his bed.

She couldn’t deny that Damon was being a great friend, taking her in, honestly worrying about her. But that’s all he was. A friend with benefits. Her stomach twisted but she told herself it was fine. That’s all she wanted from him anyway. No matter how easy it was to fall for him.

Clearing her throat, she forced her mind back to Damon’s case and the information she’d come up with at Doc’s. From the minute she’d laid eyes on Dr. Jonas’s diplomas on the wall, she’d made the connection. She just didn’t know if Damon would want to hear it. Whether he’d believe it or think it was just coincidence. She was trying to figure it out herself.

“Hey. Are you going to tell me about North Carolina?” Damon, one hand on the steering wheel, turned toward her for a second and asked.

“I’m going to put out a scenario, and I want you to keep an open mind.” She shifted in her seat and tucked a leg beneath her.

He nodded. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”

“Okay, I did some research into your backup quarterback. Did you know his father is a doctor?”

“Nope. It’s not like we sit around and talk about our parents in the locker room.” He shot her a curious look. “So … what’s this about?”

She bit down on the inside of her cheek. “His father is Dr. Lyle Emerson, the Chair of Duke University School of Medicine. He’s a pediatric oncologist. His mom’s an investment banker at Circle One Investments. Obviously in North Carolina. His father graduated from Duke.”

Silence surrounded them in the car as she waited for him to make the connection.

“You think Emerson’s parents have something to do with Doc dosing me with an illegal substance?” His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel.

“I think it’s something to consider,” she said carefully.

He shook his head. “The man’s been treating me since day one. He’s like a father to us when we’re injured.” His voice rose defensively.