Double Score

I hadn’t thought about it. Wes hadn’t invited me, and we were still taking things one day at a time, even though I felt like this was some kind of time bubble we both lived in.

“Playoffs are his busiest time of the year. If you think you’re going to see him at all, you might want to make some other plans,” she warned. “Traveling with the team might be your best bet.”

Oh God, his mother was giving me advice on how to see him. This was getting worse and worse. I overhead Wes and his dad arguing about a call on the field. The conversation was getting heated, so I decided to butt in.

“Wes, I’ve got that early surgery tomorrow, so maybe we could get going?” I wrapped my hand through the crook of his elbow, not giving Bud any choice but to step back.

“Oh, that’s right.” He smiled at me. “You know, Len

non’s a surgeon.”

“She told us all about it.” Gloria gripped her Wranglers purse. “We need to get on the road anyway. It’s hard for Bud to drive when it gets dark.”

“That’s not true,” he grumbled.

“Thanks for coming up for the game.” Wes hugged his parents.

“It was nice meeting you both.” Gloria wrapped me in a hug before I knew what hit me.

“Maybe we’ll see you next week, honey.”

“Maybe.”

They headed to the reserved parking lot while Wes and I stood in the tunnel and watched them walk away.

“So, how’d you like my parents?” He smiled wickedly.

“Oh, you are so making this up to me.” I crossed my arms.

“Is that a promise?” He waggled his eyebrows.

I rubbed the lipstick off his cheek. “I’d hate to interfere with your concentration for the playoffs.”

“Baby, I’m taking you home right now.”

I looked around to see if there was a reason he had grabbed my hand and started to run. “What’s going on?”

“We’re celebrating. The Wranglers are in the playoffs, you successfully survived meeting the Blakefields, and we are both getting laid.”

I laughed at his last statement. “Sounds like a lot for a Sunday night.”

He started the ignition. “Good thing I drive fast.”

19

Wes

I locked the bathroom door and unlatched the cabinet. I retrieved one of the syringes Dr. Jones had given me and tapped the top before jamming it into my thigh. I pushed the plunger all the way to the end, trying not to tense up at the stinging heat that shot through my leg. Only a couple more, and I’d be done with the injections.

“Hey, I’m headed to work.” Lennon knocked on the door.

“I’ll be in film review all day. See you tonight.” I wrapped the syringe in a wad of tissue and threw it in the trashcan. I pulled open the door.

“Oh, hey.”

“Hey.” I grinned at her.

“I guess this is the part where we won’t get to see each other much. Maybe I should just stay at my place this week. Would that be easier?”