Page 46 of Playing It Forward

She glances over her shoulder. “What?”

“Duck!”

It’s too late. The ball nails her in the nose and she goes down.

“Told you he was dropping his elbow.” I ignore the old man.

I race across the beach – ignoring how my feet sink into the sand – as I rush to reach Terri. Panic chokes me, but I force it down.

By the time I reach her, I’m gasping for air. My teammates are already surrounding her.

“Nice shot, boss man,” Tanner jokes, and I shove him out of the way.

“Are you okay, sprite?” I ask Terri.

She lifts the napkin from her nose and blood gushes out. “Do I look okay?”

“Lean your head back and apply pressure with the napkin.”

She glares at me. “This is your fault.”

“I know. I’m sorry, sprite,” I apologize as I grab a clean napkin from one of the tables and press it against her nose. She flinches. “Sorry. Pressure will stop the bleeding.”

I place her hand over the napkin. “Keep it there.”

I bend before lifting her into my arms. She screeches. “What are you doing?”

“We’re going to the hospital.”

“It’s a bloody nose.”

“I need to make sure you’re okay.” I nod to her stomach and her eyes widen in panic.

“Do you think… But…”

“I’m not taking any chances.”

“Okay. Put me down. I can walk. And I can drive.”

“I know you can,” I agree, but I don’t put her down. I march across the beach.

Gage, Tanner, Brock, and Corbin follow me.

“What can we do?” Corbin asks.

“My purse. I need my purse.”

Her assistant hurries toward us with her purse. “Here.” She thrusts the purse at me. “I’ve got this covered. Don’t worry about a thing. My checklist is finished. Your checklist is finished. Everything is fine. And I’m rambling.”

Tanner grasps the assistant’s elbow to stop her. “I’ve got this, boss man.”

I’ve never been glad Tanner was a flirt before. He’ll calm her down.

“I’ll call the hospital. Tell them you’re on the way.” Gage digs his phone out of his shorts.

“Here!” Brock throws me a set of keys. “Use my SUV. She may want to lay down and your fancy sports car has no room.”

Shit. I hadn’t considered my car. My stupid car I bought to show off to my dad. I need to sell it. Buy something more family friendly. But first I need to make sure Terri is okay.