The doctor opened the door and Jackson led Sabine through. Anderson followed, leaving me and Oliver last. Rage at Sabine boiled under my skin. Possessive, violent, rage. Oliver looked me over. “Are you going to be able to do this?”

For Hayden? “Yes, that girl just gets under my skin.”

“Mine, too,” he said, reaching for my hand. Probably out of instinct. I didn’t push him away. “But something tells me she didn’t quite know what she was getting into when she started dating Hayden.”

“You mean his baggage?”

He smiled grimly and led me through the door. “I mean all of our baggage.”

Bryant, the agent, with his carefully constructed hair and smile, was already in the room. He greeted each of us, shaking hands and introducing himself to Oliver and Jackson.

The room felt tight with all of us in it, and my hyperawareness of being so close to all my boys again rocked me. I vaguely recalled greeting Hayden and taking his hand as Sabine took the spot across from me. Her eyes flicked at our hands. I knew I should let go, give her the role of devoted girlfriend, but he clung to me like a lifeline.

“Hayden wanted me to share the details of his injuries with the people he feels will be integral to his treatment,” the doctor explained. He mentioned the concussion and swelling in the brain. The need for time and healing.

Hayden’s fingers were the only thing that told me how panicked he was about the information. The slow stroke of his thumb as the doctor spoke. I stole a glance at his face, and underneath the stoic expression was a man terrified his career—his dream—was over.

I fought back on my own wave of emotions—the sadness and fear. How overwhelmed I was to be back in the room with them, and focused on the man that needed me—needed us.

“At the very least you’re out the rest of the season, Mr. Pierce. At best…well, we need to see how your therapy goes. I’m hopeful that with enough care you can make a full recovery.”

“And you think he can make that recovery by June?”

It was early April, so that only really gave him eight weeks. The doctor hesitated but said, “Hayden will have to follow the therapy closely. No pushing. No slacking.”

Only the medication dulled the reaction on Hayden’s face, his hand clenching mine at the news. Soccer was his life—his passion--and the idea of giving up wouldn’t be an easy one to swallow.

“Got it, Doc,” he said. “I’m committed.”

“And if he doesn’t make a full recovery by then?” Sabine asked.

“We’ll play that by ear,” Bryant said quickly.

Oliver cleared his throat. “Since three of us still live in Allendale, we’d like to propose that Hayden return home with us as he recovers. He can use our facility for therapy. He can live with me and Jackson. Anderson’s father is orchestrating a transfer to the university hospital right now.”

“What?” Sabine blurted.

Bryant’s calm demeanor shifted just a little. “I’m not sure taking him away from the doctors and trainers he’s used to is a good idea, do you, Doctor?”

“Well, I do like the idea of Hayden having a strong support network and being in a familiar place. Getting away from the city could do you some good.” The doctor looked up from his papers. “What do you think?”

At first Hayden didn’t answer, his eyed shifting from Bryant to Oliver, struggling with the two options. I squeezed his hand, hoping to show support. It was his decision but I knew I could be more helpful if he was back home.

“Hayden…” Bryant said, clearly not wanting to discuss this in front of us. “Maybe we should take a minute to think it over. Go over all the options.”

When Hayden replied, his words came out a bit slow but his intent was clear. “I think it would be for the best. I trust the hospital and I know I’ll be in good hands with these guys.”

“What? You want to move across the country?” Sabine asked, barely above a whisper.

Bryant rubbed his chin. “You are an owner in the A5 gym. Maybe it would be a good show for you to spend your recovery there. Boost the visibility of the facility.”

Jackson rolled his eyes but said nothing.

Again, Hayden his thumb swiped against my palm and a shiver ran down my spine. I looked up and Anderson watched us closely, a thin line slashed across his forehead. Our eyes met for a brief moment and my neck flared with heat. Hayden and Sabine fell into a discussion. I felt caught in a battle I hadn’t agreed to. Slowly I extracted my hand and moved to exit the room.

Oliver grabbed my arm. “Hey, everything okay?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I just need a little air.”

Tags: Angel Lawson Allendale Four Erotic
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