Page 73 of Sweet Oblivion

“He looks good,” Ashton murmurs.

“He always looks good,” Kaleigh adds, and I don’t say anything, refusing to acknowledge the way her words cause a flash of possessiveness to surface.

Watching Ryker do his thing on the field is like watching fluid in motion, smooth, and sleek, and deadly. But this time when he hits his mark and takes down his guy, he goes down with him. Hard. Too Hard.

One second, he’s moving, and the next—Jesus. The next, he’s down, the receiver’s down, and everything in me locks up.

“Jesus,” someone breathes out behind me, but I don’t look back, too busy moving closer to the TV because Ryker isn’t moving.

I hold my breath for one minute. Then one turns to two as the trainers move onto the field. But before two turns to three, one of the trainers holds out a hand for Ryker and pulls him up. And I swear to God, my heart finally beats again.

I watch as he shakes it off with a tiny limp that’s gone by the time he gets to the sidelines.

And that’s when I take my first full breath.

Ashton laces her fingers with mine. “You okay?”

I nod. It’s a lie.

“I’m fine.”

I’m nowhere near fine, but I’m not about to tell her that. Not now. Not yet.

And an hour later, as the girls celebrate the Kings win, their fifth this season, my eyes are glued to Ryker. To the way he seems to be moving a tiny bit slower, and I wonder how long it will be before he gets home.

“Text him,” Ashton says softly as she hugs me goodbye.

“I will. What time do you think they’ll be home?”

“Probably not before midnight. Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” she asks, but Kyrie’s already asleep on her shoulder.

“No. I’m fine. Be safe getting home.” I kiss Kyrie’s head and wave to the girls before throwing every lock behind them and setting the alarm.

Delaney

Good game, Beneventi. Maybe try not to get hurt next time.

Three dots appear right away, and my heart does a stupid little dance.

Ryker

I’ll work on that just for you, Rousseau.

Delaney

You do that.

You looked good out there.

I hesitate, then add?—

Delaney

But you scared me.

Ryker

Sorry, Bambi. I’ll try not to do it again.