I grab her by the wrist to prevent her from running off half-cocked. “He didn’t get me in trouble.” Although he tried. No sense in sending Stevie on the warpath, though. “I’m a week ahead of what they predicted for healing, so I’ll be starting workouts next week.”
“Seriously?” Her anger melts into excitement. “That’s so great, Bishop!” She throws her arms around me in what seems to be an impulsive hug.
The feel of her entire body flush with mine is unexpected, and it seems to short out the connection between my brain and body for a few seconds. I wrap an arm around her waist as she starts to loosen her grip around my neck. Every muscle in her body tenses briefly before she softens against me. I drop my head, inhaling the fruity scent of her shampoo.
Stevie’s fingertips drag down the back of my neck, making goose bumps rise along my skin and the hairs on my arms stand on end. She steps back, palms smoothing over my shoulders and down my biceps until they fall to her sides.
“Does this mean you won’t need my help anymore?” Her expression doesn’t tell me if that makes her happy or not.
“Actually, my coach wants me to keep working with you.”
“Oh.” She seems surprised. “You told him you’re working with me outside of team PT?”
“Rook did.” I squeeze the back of my neck. “My coach also wants Rook to help me with workouts.”
“But you two hate each other.”
I shrug. I don’t know that I hate him, but I definitely don’t like him. “He thinks it’ll help smooth things over.”
“Has he met you?” She half smiles.
“Maybe he’s setting me up for failure.” I blow out a breath, gearing up for an apology. “I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to piss you off more than you already were. I shouldn’t have been such a dick.”
“I’m used to it by now.”
“Does that mean you’ll still help me with rehab?” I need her to say yes to this; then I can work on the rest, like not being a jerk all the time.
She sighs and rubs her forehead. “RJ thinks you’re only letting me rehab you because you’re trying to get back at him or whatever.”
He’s certainly made it clear he believes I have ulterior motives. “And what do you think?”
“I think I’m not always the best judge of character, my ex-boyfriend being prime example number one.”
“My goal has always been to get back on the ice as quickly as I can. I have my brother to take care of, and I can’t afford a lot of fuckups. This injury is one of those fuckups I can’t afford. And using you to get back at Rook seems a lot like something that could screw things up for me even more.”
She tips her head to the side. “He said you were supposed to be captain, except he got it when he came to Seattle.”
“This is true.” No point in lying.
“This would be a lot easier if you two didn’t hate each other so much.”
“It would also be a lot easier if your brother didn’t think I’m just in this so I can get into your pants.”
Stevie purses her lips and looks away. I thought I was being kind of funny, but apparently not. She’s about to reply when a woman who looks vaguely familiar appears in the hallway with a toddler perched on her hip.
“There you are! Kody’s all ready to go, aren’t you, little man?” She kisses the kid on the cheek, and he giggles and drops his head against her boob, nuzzling in.
“Sorry, Lainey. I was just talking to . . . a friend.” She thumbs over her shoulder at me. Her face lights up as the woman—Lainey—approaches, and Stevie holds out her arms.
“How’s my favorite nephew? Are you ready to hang out with Aunt Stevie? I am so ready to hang out with you! We’ll drink milk and eat arrowroot cookies until we pass out. Sound good?”
The little guy squeals shrilly when she takes him from Lainey and gives him a raspberry on the cheek.
I’ve never been comfortable with kids. It’s not that I don’t like them; it’s that I don’t have any experience and I don’t know what to do with them.
Lainey gives me a slow once-over, her gaze shifting between me and Stevie, before a wry grin pulls up the corner of her mouth. “You must be Bishop.”
“Uh, yeah, and you’re Rook’s wife, right?” I hold out a hand, aiming for polite.
“I am. That was a rough hit you took. I hear you’re on the mend, though, thanks to Stevie.”
“She’s been a big help.”
“Okay, well, I should really take Kody home, since it’s past his bedtime.” Stevie’s voice is high pitched and annoyed.
“Thanks again for watching him for us.” Lainey gives her a side hug.