Page 186 of The Pucking Coach's Daughter

“And you look like shit,” a man says. Wait. Younger. Boy? “Did you go through a meat grinder?”

“There were two of them,” Oliver replies. “I’d like to see you put your jiujitsu classes to the test.”

The boy scoffs.

“Fractured ribs,” the woman says. “Concussion. Contusions. You could’ve been seriously hurt.”

“I know, Mom.” His hand on my shoulder squeezes, although I can’t tell if it’s a reflex or he’s trying to wake me up.

Either way, I stir. No use pretending to sleep any longer.

“You with me, Sydney?” Oliver asks in a low voice.

I open my eyes and blink up at him. I touch my mouth, suddenly afraid that I might’ve drooled on him. That would be peak embarrassment.

“How long was I out?” I clear my throat and start to sit up. What I need to do is get off this bed. But in my haste, I forget that his mother and… brother. Younger brother.

They’re both staring at me.

I hop off the bed and straighten my shirt. My face heats.

“Mama, this is Sydney. Sydney, my mother and brother, Felix,” Oliver says.

His mother is gorgeous. Light-brown hair, tanned skin, green eyes. He pulls some of his features from her, like his smile that she unleashes on me without warning. She stretches out her hand to shake mine. My gaze drops to it, and then the glint of gold on her wrist.

My heart stops.

I stare at the bracelet.

In the back of my head, I knew he said he gave it to her. Maybe, deep down, some part of me thought he was lying. That he didn’t give it to her for her birthday, or… I don’t know. It doesn’t really matter what I thought.

The bracelet is right there, nearly smacking me in the face.

I shake her hand and tear my focus away from it.

“Nice to meet you,” I manage. “Sorry it’s under these circumstances.”

“It’s my pleasure, Sydney.” She pats my hand with her free one. The damn bracelet shifts along her wrist.

Felix’s handshake is a lot shorter. Not nearly as warm. Which is fine by me. I retract myself as soon as I can, stepping away inch by inch until my back is touching the curtain. I slide my shoes back on. My jacket is behind Felix, and it can stay there for all I care.

Oliver eyes me.

“I should find Carter and Penn,” I blurt out. “See if they’re…”

I don’t bother finishing the sentence. I was just caught sleeping on him by his mother and kid brother. If that’s not awkward enough, I want to rip his mother’s jewelry off her wrist and sprint away.

It’s better I run off without the robbery part.

In the waiting room they first sat me in, I find Carter and Penn and my father. All three stand, and for a split second, I’m torn on who to go to first.

My father wins out.

I’m kind of sad I went most of my teen years without his hugs. He envelops me, his arms banding across my back, and kisses the top of my head.

After I take a breath, I slowly extricate myself.

“Is he okay?” Penn demands. “What happened?”