Page 141 of Forever Offsides

“Never mind. Just keep holding me for another minute.”

“Baby, I’ll hold you for a lifetime. Forever even.”

Despite the pain and the nausea and the dizziness, butterflies set flight in my stomach. “Don’t sweet-talk me when my ass is showing.”

He kisses the top of my head, amusement dancing in his voice. “I’m holding your gown closed. No one can see what’s only for my eyes.”

“This sucks.”

His lips plant into my hair, and he holds me closer. “I know. But you’re alive. God, Quinn, the things that were going through my head. Your friends, Braelyn and Skylar gave me an empty patient room, and I’ve pretty much camped out there other than when I had to go to the field. They were kind enough to put up with my constant texts requesting updates. I was so scared you weren’t going to wake up.”

I kiss his chest since that’s where my face is. “I’m sorry I scared you.”

“It made me realize…”

“What?” I force my head up to see his face.

He stares into my eyes, but instead of speaking, he inches in, and his lips brush mine. “We can talk about it later when you’re all healed up.”

“Probably smart. I’m not sure how much more I have in me.”

He grimaces. “I’m sorry. Let’s get you into the chair.”

With his help, I shuffle four steps, pivot, and slide down onto the large recliner. My eyes close, and my head leans heavily back.

“Can I get you anything before I have to leave? Your family will be here any second.”

“I’d marry you if you got me ice chips.”

He grins against my lips. “I’ll bring you a fucking ice maker then.”

“Sounds—”

“What the hell is this?!”

44

RHETT

Ijump away from Quinn, who starts and winces in pain.

Russel storms in until he’s practically right up in my face with fury etched all over his.

Fuck. It’s the one word ringing through my ears as panic hits me. But also, and I know this is messed up, there’s relief too. Not in him finding out this way. With my lips actually pressed to his ex-girlfriend’s. But relief in that I don’t have to hold on to this secret any longer.

It was eating me alive, keeping it from him.

But at the same time, I can’t stand seeing the hurt and betrayal in his eyes. It kills me.

“Russel,” I start, not knowing how to do this or what to say. I’ve thought about this moment no less than a thousand times over the last several weeks, and yet now I’m rendered speechless.

He shoves my shoulder, and I stagger back a step, bumping into the bed, which catches me.

“Hey.” I hold out a hand to him. “I know you’re upset⁠—”

“Upset?” he barks incredulously. “Are you kidding me with that? How long have you been fucking my girlfriend behind my back?”

“I’m not your girlfriend,” Quinn protests. “That was a long time ago.”