Page 29 of Worth the Shot

I look over and see a young couple nearby. There’s a man cradling a baby who can’t be more than three months old, the woman smiling over his shoulder like she can’t believe she gets to love them both. And I’m jealous.

I’ll be thirty soon, and a part of me always thought I’d have that by now. Then again, with this career, maybe I’m not that far behind. Most of the guys wait until their thirties to start families so there’s less time away, less of their kids’ childhood to have to miss.

I remind myself there’s no timeline and it’ll happen when it’s right. When she’s right. I pull out my phone and scroll to Delaney’s name because I can’t shake this gnawing feeling of needing to hear her voice. Before I can talk myself out of it, I hit Call.

“Halesy? You okay?”

Her voice comes through the line—warm, concerned—and I can’t help but smile.

“Yeah.” I let out a small, nervous laugh. “I’m good. Just getting ready to board my flight and figured you might’ve forgotten what my voice sounded like. Can’t have that, so I guess this is your reminder.”

“Ah yes, thank God. I was just starting to forget. Thanks for the refresher.”

“That’s what friends are for, right?” I say, hating the way that word tastes.

“For sure.” There’s a slight hesitation in her voice. Almost…disappointment? “How was your trip?”

“Exactly what I needed. Got bullied by my sisters, spoiled a little by Mom, and squeezed in some ice fishing with Dad.”

She goes quiet for a second. “Sounds like you were pretty popular,” she says finally, and there’s something softer tucked beneath the sarcasm.

Something in me wonders what she’s thinking. If she’s picturing it. If she knows I’d give anything to see her in the middle of all that chaos.

“We’ve got a few games this week,” I say instead. “But maybe next week we can finish our show? Only a few episodes left, right?”

“Yeah. Definitely,” she says. “If I can fit you into my schedule.”

I grin. “Busy week?”

“Extremely.” She pauses just long enough to make me earn it. “I’ll let you know when I’m free.”

“Sure,” I say, unable to stop the smile tugging at my mouth. “Well, I’ve got a flight to catch. Guess I’ll, uh, see you soon.”

“Sounds good.”

Just as I’m about to hang up, I hear her voice again. “Wait⁠—”

I bring the phone back to my ear, covering the other with my hand to drown out the airport sounds. “Yeah?”

“Have a safe flight, Bren.”

My heart skips a beat.

She called me Bren. Not Hale or Halesy. Not Brennan. Bren. Something small, but to me, it feels bigger. Almost…intimate. I replay it in my head, on repeat.

Have a safe flight, Bren.

And I do. Smile on my face the entire time.

Chapter Thirteen

Delaney

The last few weeks at work have been pure chaos. We’re short-staffed, the traumas keep rolling in, and the hospital walls feel like they’re closing in a little more every day. Brennan’s random latte drop-offs have been an unexpected lifeline, and deeply appreciated. Especially since he’s gotten fancy with it, creating some sort of concoction that speaks to my soul. The hospital coffee barely qualifies as drinkable most days, and right now, caffeine is the only thing keeping me from face-planting into a patient chart.

Megan makes a pit stop at the nurses’ station before heading into a patient room, immediately gawking at the latte on my desk.

“Another hockey hottie drop-off?” She smirks at the paper cup and rolls her eyes. “Must be nice having a man like that thinking about you.”