Page 28 of Golden Goal

“She’s my neighbor. Hazel woke her up multiple nights screaming. I was being nice.” The last part comes out in a growl.

“You–”

“Don’t. Whatever you’re going to say, or suggest, just don’t. Whatever shit you’re going to spout off, save it. I don’t have the time or energy right now.”

He swallows, blinking a few times. “How’d you know?”

I cross my arms, shaking my head at him, hoping he gets the message.

He blows out a breath. “Fair enough. But I still think—“

“Weston,” I snap, giving him my most intimidating goalie stare.

He takes two steps back, his shoulders falling. If I wasn’t the asshole that I am, I’d feel bad for using my intimidation tactics on my teammate—one of my best friends—but I am, so I don’t care. I wouldn’t have to resort to this if he’d just done as I asked the first time.

He puts his hands up in surrender. “Got it. Not another word.”

“Good. Leave Dr. Jansen alone too.” I give him another pointed look.

“How do you know I wasn’t in there to work up the courage to ask her out?”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from reacting, because I know that’s what he’s trying to get me to do.

“Do you even know if she’s single?”

He crosses his arms. “She is. I wouldn’t be thinking about asking her out if she wasn’t. You don’t care if I ask her?”

I narrow my eyes. “She can date whoever she wants. It’s none of my business.”

Because it isn’t. I’ve got Hazel and my career to focus on. Not how pretty Rebecca looks in her purple scrubs today. Or how much I wanted to stay and talk to her after my session. Learn more about her. But she’s my doctor, and even if she wasn’t, she deserves better than me. I’d be a shitty boyfriend.

He watches me for a second before breaking out into a knowing grin. “If you say so.”

“I’m going to go now,” I tell him before spinning on my heel and stomping over to my truck.

I take a few deep breaths, trying not to let Wes’s words get to me. What do I care if he asks her out? He’s a good guy, and he would make a great boyfriend for a lucky woman. I sip my coffee before putting my truck in gear and making the short drive back to my apartment, where Hadley greets me at the door with Hazel.

I immediately take my daughter from my sister and snuggle her close, feeling a million times better.

“You alright, brother?”

I nod, holding Hazel a little closer. “Just Wes trying to stir shit up.” Hadley snickers. “Something you want to share, sister?”

She shakes her head. “I told him to leave you alone.”

“You two talking?” I don’t really care who she talks to. She’s a grown woman but I am kind of curious.

“No, I ran into him the other day at the store. He asked me a million questions.” She rolls her eyes.

“Okay.”

Hazel starts fussing.

“She’s probably hungry. Want me to feed her?”

“No, I got it, Hads. Thank you, though. For everything.”

Hadley smiles at me. “You know I don’t mind.”