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I got why she didn’t want Axel to miss it.
“He’s not going to be happy about it,” I told her something she probably already knew.
“Yeah,” she whispered, “but I need him to do this. I need him to not look back and have regrets.”
I got that.
Which was why I was about to agree to talk my friend off the ledge he’d be perched on in a few minutes. He was absolutely going to lose his shit because his woman with bruised ribs and a broken leg and burns and cuts and scrapes wanted to drive four hours with all that and watch her man play in a fuckinghockeygame.
I rubbed my forehead, sighed.
Fucking hell.
It wasn’t even up for discussion.
I was going to do it.
“You break the news,” I murmured. “I’ve got your back and I’ll make sure the other guys do too.” Because she’d confessed to having called in other reinforcements as well.
See? Bailey was smart.
“You’re the best, honey,” she whispered, reaching for my hand. “You’ve had my back more times than I can count, and I don’t know how I’ll thank—”
“Shh,” I whispered, squeezing her fingers gently. “It’s nothing.”
And it wasn’t.
It was for my friends.
For Axel.
Forher.
Yeah, I’d have their backs.
But also, much like Billie had laid out a few hours before, I had some making up to do. I’d been on the wrong track and Axel had helped steer me right, helped me get my head together. Not to mention, if it was one ofmysisters who’d gone through the shit Bailey had, I’d want someone steady and stable there for her.
So, really, it was nothing.
I’d watched out for her when Axel was out of town with the Gold. I’d answered a phone call. And now I’d make sure my friend held it together, so he wasn’t eighty and gray, that pretty face of his lined with wrinkles, and looking back with regrets.
“It’s all good,” I said, squeezing her hand again. “I promise.”
“Stop touching my woman,” Axel rumbled.
I glanced over Bailey’s shoulder, saw that his eyes were open—and bloodshot—the little bit of sleep he’d gotten clearly not enough to erase the exhaustion weighing him down.
How he’d play in a pro game, I had no idea.
But I agreed that he needed to have the chance.
So, when I saw movement in the doorway, saw Ryan and a few of the other guys walking in, I knew it was time for Bailey to press her hand.
I glanced back at her, held those soulful brown eyes, and asked, “You ready to lay it on him, sweetheart?”
A determined nod. “Will you get the doctor? She knows, too.”
Axel frowned, rubbed a hand over his face. “What are you two talking about?”
