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“We really need to talk about your bullshit savior complex, bro.”
He snorts.
“Seriously, how much do we all have to spell it out for you. We want her. We’vechosenher. We’re just waiting for your ass to make a choice becausewewon’t force her onyouif that’s not whatyouwant too.”
Thane doesn’t answer me. We watch the clouds shift and pull into different shapes until finally, he pushes himself up from the ground and holds out a hand to help me up. His face is determined, and I know, whichever way it goes that he’s made his decision at last. It’s time to either bond with Riley or let her go for good.
* * *
Thane doesn’t talkthe entire time we jog back. In the house, he disappears into his bedroom, and I go upstairs to mine, eager to get in my private shower and wash off the sweat from running and the dirt from rolling around on the ground. I am scheduled to sit with Riley this afternoon, and I’m ready to get to the hospital ASAP. I hated being away from her, even if she doesn’t know I’m sitting right beside her, holding her hand.
Before I can escape to the peace of the shower, though, my phone trills in my pocket. I check the caller and curse before answering.
“Hey, Coach,” I say as neutrally as I can. A glance at the clock on my phone, wincing when it shows that today’s practice is well underway, and as is the norm for the past few days, I’m not there.
“Fox,” he says in his gravelly voice. “We need to talk.” I already know where this is going, but I stay silent, willing to hear him out. “You haven’t been to a practice in days. I understand you’ve got extenuating circumstances, but we need you here.”
“Extenuating circumstances? My Omega is in a coma.”
“I know, I get it.” And he, of all people, really did get it. Coach McIntire lost his Omega to cervus ten years ago, long before I was on the team. Even now, a framed picture of her sits on his desk in his office, and he and his Pack haven’t taken on a new Omega since. “But the team isn’t the same without you. We aren’t connecting, and I’ve got Frye out with a hamstring injury, and Tanner ripped up his shoulder. We need you.”
I take a deep breath. Before Riley, I’d be storming into that practice, getting everyone’s shit together until we were the best team in the conference. But now? The thought of going to practice while she lies motionless in a hospital bed makes me sick to my stomach. The thrill of the game should be enough to keep me distracted from her condition, but it isn’t my main priority anymore.
“Coach…” I let my voice trail off. “I’ll be there for the game on Friday, and the games after that unless the shit hits the fan.”
“What about practices?”
“I’ll try. But I need to stay close to Riley. I need to make sure she’s okay. She’s going to wake up soon, but she’ll need a lot of care.” My voice catches. “I’ll text you later in the week and let you know what practices I can make. Does that work?”
Coach McIntire’s sigh is long, but it doesn’t sound angry. “You’re absolutely sure?”
“I am.” I’m not, actually. I’m not sure of anything other than I need to be with Riley. After she recovers—if she recovers—I can deal with real life again. The ugly truth is that even when it’s notmy timewith Riley I’m just here or running the neighborhood, in stasis mode, waiting so I can be there with her again. I can’t focus on practice. Not right now. Not yet. At least until she wakes up.
“All right, Fox. Just keep me posted, and I’ll talk to the team.” His voice softens. “Take care, and I hope she gets better.”
“Thanks, Coach.” I hang up and slump to the floor of the bathroom. My life was comprised of two things before: my Pack and football. But ever since Miles brought home a runaway Omega, life as I knew it ended. And without her by my side, I don’t know how to begin again.
TWENTY-SIX
—
R I L E Y
I waketo the sound of beeping, slow and steady. I reach out, trying to shut off my alarm, but pain shoots up my arm. I blink awake and find an IV in the offending arm, stretched tight by movements. What the hell?
I turn to my other arm only to find Thane clasping my hand, his head bobbing as he tries to stay awake. Memories rush back to me, and I struggle to catch my breath.
I had an attack. I’m in the hospital.
Everyone knows my truth.
“Thane?” I whisper. It comes out cracked and hoarse, and my throat is parched.
Thane startles, his posture straightening. His hair is mussed, and he looks exhausted. “You’re awake,” he exclaims like he doesn’t really believe it, his blinking eyes focusing in slow increments as he shakes his head, his grip on my hand tightening. “What can I get you? What do you need?”
My shoulder spasms, but it isn’t painful. Not like it was in the car on the way to the hospital. “What time is it?”
He glances at his wristwatch. “A little before midnight.”
