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But I was playing small. I was hiding like a loser in the kitchen, keeping myself safe while Em dealt with whatever was going on across the arena.
I whipped out my phone and saw I had missed three calls from her and two texts. She was keeping me updated despite completely leaving her in the dark.
I didn’t deserve her kindness.
She said Mac was okay and recovering in one of the PT rooms.
I sprinted through the hallways, resolving to be better. I needed both of them in my life and knew I needed to change in order to keep them.
I texted Em to let her know I was there and the door to room three opened. Em stood there under the fluorescent lights, her curly hair frizzed around her face like she had been on the verge of pulling it out.
And even though she had every right to be mad at me, she just sank into my arms.
Looking up at me with her pure, too-good-for-this-bleak-world blue eyes, she squeezed my middle and held tight. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “I’m sorry I bailed. When I saw him lying there—” I choked on my words and Em squeezed my hand.
“He’s okay. Look.”
I walked the rest of the way into the room and my chest tightened when I saw Mac, a goofy grin plastered on his face. The three of us were alone, and all I wanted to do was pull both of them into my arms and apologize until I was hoarse.
“About time you showed up, Bardot.”
“Michael, I’m so sorry.”
He patted the edge of the exam table, and I perched next to him.
“What are you sorry for? Leaving in my time of need?”
My cheeks burned, but he laughed. “I’m just messing with you. I had Pink looking out for me.”
“I know, but I should have been there.”
He waved me away. “The three of us need each other because we each bring something different—”
“That’s the thing, though. I’m the stable one. The one that’s reliable—”
Em crossed her arms and shared a look with Michael. “Are you saying we’re not reliable?”
“That’s not what I mean,” I stammered. “It’s just—”
Michael laughed and stretched forward, groaning. “We know what you mean.”
“Are you okay?” I asked, concerned by the way he winced as he sat back.
There was a nice gash along his cheekbone and his left hand wouldn’t leave his ribs.
“I’m great. You should see the other guy…”
“The boards?” I asked drily.
“No. Literally the other guy. Lightning had that motherfucker pinned in seconds so the rest of the guys could take care of him.”
I pressed my eyes shut and took his hand in mine. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Me too,” he murmured. “And I broke a rib, so I’m out for a while.”
“That’s a relief.”
