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His shoulders felt heavy with a burden he couldn’t remove.
A woman warrior was who Myra was. He loved that about her, but she was right. He didn’t know how to let her step up and fight and fulfill her role like he wanted to fulfill his.
“You need to find somebody like Sadie,” she said sadly.
“No.” Ike shook his head. “I need to realize that my dad was more right than I ever wanted him to be. I’m not made to be in a relationship.”
As soon as the words were out, he knew they were probably true but almost as bad as him admitting he only trusted himself in a battle and her safety was more important to him than her feeling valued and trusted. He cringed even admitting that to himself.
She stared at him and said nothing.
The hospital room door opened and the doctor walked out, nodding to them. “You can take him home now.”
“Thank you,” Ike said.
“Friends,” Beau called from the hospital room. “Come chat!”
Ike gestured for Myra to go first.
She didn’t look at him as she hurried into the room.
Beau sat on the edge of the hospital bed, beaming at them. His cheek was stitched up. “Dude!” Beau looked to Ike. “You were some kind of superhero tonight. Flying around the room protecting us all like a buff ninja.” He smiled at Myra too. “Your man is the biggest stud on earth, right?”
“Right.” Myra forced a smile, not looking at Ike.
Of course Beau had no idea he was adding flame to the fire.
“I’m giving you both the fattest bonus you can imagine.”
“Give mine to Myra,” Ike said without thinking about it. “I don’t need any money.”
Myra’s jaw dropped, and she shot a look of exasperation at him. Ike knew he’d said it wrong again. But she needed the money and he didn’t.
Would she punch him? He wouldn’t mind. Could they have a fight? A real fight? He could never hit her, but he’d pin her down and kiss her before she walked away.
“Ah, such a gentleman,” Beau crowed. “I love you two. Thanks for saving me. Thanks for being my friends. You’re going to love your box seats for every home game. Do you want away games too?”
“We’ll probably be on assignment, but we can let you know,” Ike said. “I’ll get to every home game I can.”
Beau didn’t notice the I, but Myra did. Her dark eyes flashed fire at him. He’d been right. His dad had been right. A relationship just didn’t work for him. He didn’t know how to be part of a ‘we’ and probably never would.
Yet for Myra, he would’ve tried.
“Beau?” a feminine voice said from the doorframe.
It showed exactly what a mess Ike was that he hadn’t heard or sensed someone coming.
Bermuda stood there, looking hopeful and concerned.
Beau jumped to his feet and hurried past Ike and Myra. He stopped in front of Bermuda. “Bee?”
“An officer called with all kinds of questions. They wouldn’t tell me anything, but I got ahold of Birch who got ahold of Sutton, who of course got all the answers.” She stared up at Beau, and her blue eyes filled with tears. “Donavon set this all up to try to kill you and steal me?”
“Yes.” Beau cupped her face with his hands. “Bee, I love you. I would never cheat on you. Please believe me.”
“I do. I believe you, and I love you too.”
Beau let out a very unmanly squeak that Ike would hopefully give him a hard time for later, then he bent and kissed Bermuda. It was a great-looking kiss.
