Wild Heart (Viper's Heart Duet Book 2) Read online

  “Don’t apologize,” I said. “I know this must be horrible for you—”

  Pete’s head popped into the room. “Hey! Ambulance is here. Sit tight. We’ll come get you in one second.”

  “Okay,” I called back with another nod.

  “Huh?”

  “Nothing. That was Pete telling me the ambulance is here. I’ll call you later, okay?”

  “Okay,” she said sadly. “Please do. I’m not gonna be able to sleep tonight anyway, so it doesn’t matter what time it is.”

  “All right. I’ll call you as soon as I can. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She sniffed. “A lot. Viper, I love you a whole hell of a lot.”

  “Back atcha, babe.”

  We hung up just as the EMTs got there. They hurried into the room and moved fast, talking to Pete and sliding me carefully off the table onto a stretcher. Before I knew it, they were rolling me down the concourse and out to the back parking lot.

  Once we got to the ER, everything moved in hyper speed. The doctor came in, examined my knee for about ten minutes, and sent me off to X-ray. Those came back quickly and confirmed what Pete already knew. Nothing was broken. The doctors and nurses stabilized my knee and the Wild front office put me on the first plane back to Minnesota, where I could see our team doctor the next morning.

  It was a long, exhausting night and my plane didn’t land until about two o’clock in the morning. I was groggy from pain meds and beyond thankful when Samantha, who handles most things for the Wild, texted me that she’d arranged a car to drive me home since driving was obviously out of the question for at least the next few days.

  I exited the plane last, slowly making my way up the cold, quiet hallway from the plane to the airport on my crutches. It had only been a couple of hours and I was already sick of those fucking things. They annoyed me more than they helped me. I was constantly getting them caught on the ground or banging them against things, like the leg of the guy sitting next to me on the plane. I swear if he glared at me one more time, I was going to shove my crutch so far up his ass that it would knock out all of his teeth from the inside.

  I finally reached the desk at the end of the concourse and a woman in a navy blue suit greeted me with a smile.

  “We’ve been waiting for you,” she said cheerfully.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled. “Takes me a while with these things.”

  She reached out and touched my arm. “No worries. We’ve actually arranged a ride for you the rest of the way.”

  “A ride?”

  “Yep,” she said as she stepped back and waved toward a small man who looked to be in his mid-forties, smiling at me from behind a wheelchair.

  “Uh, thanks, but that’s not really necessary.” I shook my head.

  I didn’t think Tiny over there would be able to push me anyway.

  The woman gave me a tight-lipped smile and clasped her hands together. Something told me I wasn’t going to win that argument. “I know it’s not really ideal, but we think it’s best that you not walk the entire airport in this condition.”

  Condition? I fucking tweaked my knee and will be back up in a couple days. I’m not in a condition.

  “And we spoke with Samantha Lester, who coordinated all of this, and she let us know that you would most likely argue but that we shouldn’t take no for an answer, so come on.” Before I could say anything else, she reached over and took my duffel bag off my shoulder and pointed toward the chair. “Have a seat.”

  I took a deep breath in through my nose, fully aware that my nostrils were flaring and my jaw was tense. Without a word, I limped over and plopped down in the wheelchair, beyond pissed that I was being treated like a child.

  “You hang on to this”—she dropped my bag in my lap—“and Carl here will have you down to your next stop in no time.”

  “Thanks.” I looked up at her and tried to offer a smile, but I just couldn’t do it. It had been a long, horrible day and if I couldn’t have answers right away, I just wanted my bed.

  Carl tried to make chitchat as we weaved through the halls of the mostly deserted airport.

  “You play for the Wild, huh? That’s cool. I used to play hockey back when I was younger. I was pretty good, too, but I never thought about playing professionally. How did you get into that anyway? Are there open tryouts or do you need to be invited? Do you have an agent? Can he maybe get me into a tryout?”

  I pulled my Wild ball cap lower and ignored him. He seemed like a nice guy and all, but I could not have been less in the mood to hand out advice on how to make it big in the NHL. Not to mention he was about twenty years too late to make that dream a reality. He must have gotten the hint because eventually he stopped asking questions and started whistling instead. Just as annoying but at least I wasn’t expected to respond.

  The air grew colder as we neared the door that lets out to the transportation area. It was only October but there was a familiar crispness to the late-night Minnesota air that comforted me, oddly enough.

  Carl wheeled me over and parked the chair off to the side of the door. He pulled a pair of gloves out of his pockets and quickly put them on, his arms shivering.

  I eyed him skeptically. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

  “No.” He shook his head and cupped his hands over his mouth to blow warm air into them.

  “I can tell.”

  “I’m from Florida. Moved up here this summer. I had no idea it got this cold so early.” He bounced around on his toes to keep warm.

  “This isn’t even cold yet. Just wait.” I let out a small chuckle. “Why did you move up here anyway?”

  “For a girl.”

  I raised an eyebrow at him. “A girl?”

  “Well, a woman. But yes. I got divorced a few years back and several months ago decided to try my hand at online dating. I found Sheila the first night and never looked further.”

  “Wow. And you moved all the way to Minnesota for her?”

  “Yep,” he said with a smile, nodding proudly. “Met her for the first time right here at this very airport.”

  “Wait a minute.” I held a hand up in the air. “You never met her face-to-face but you moved across the whole damn country for her?”

  “Yes, sir. Best decision I ever made, even with this weather. That woman makes my bad days good and my good days better.”

  “Holy shit. That’s unreal,” I exclaimed, shaking my head incredulously.

  “What’s unreal?” a voice called off to my right.

  My eyes followed the familiar voice and saw a grinning Michelle walking toward us.

  “Hey!” I immediately felt better just seeing her face. “What are you doing here? Sam said she’d arranged a ride for me.” I dropped my duffel bag off to the side and grabbed my crutches to stand.

  She held both hands up. “Freeze! Don’t even try and get up.” She bent down and wrapped her arms around my shoulders, squeezing tight. The smell of her perfume drifted into my nose and I closed my eyes, hugging her back with everything I had.

  “And Samantha did have a ride for you, but I called her and told her I’d pick you up instead. I left the kids with Kacie and set my alarm. No way was I letting some weird car service come out here for you at this hour.” She started to pull back but I tightened my arms again.

  “Thanks,” I uttered into her soft blond hair. “I didn’t even see you sitting there. And I’m way happier to see you than some weird car service, too. That driver probably wasn’t near as hot as you.”

  In one swift motion she pulled out of my hug and punched me in the shoulder. “Shut up. Let’s go home.”

  Carl stepped behind my chair, but I stopped him.

  “You know what, Carl . . . I think I got it from here,” I said as I pushed myself up from the wheelchair and grabbed the crutches. “Can you just toss that bag in the backseat for me?”

  “Are you sure, Mr. Finkle” Carl asked, picking up the bag quickly. “I’d feel better if you let me help.”<
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  “Seriously, what are you doing?” Michelle added.

  “I’m fine, I swear.”

  She pressed her lips together and glared at me as I slowly made my way to her car, but she didn’t argue.

  Carl rushed past me carefully, opening the car door and setting the duffel bag on the seat. Then he shut the back door and opened the front one, stepping back and holding it open so I could get in.

  I smiled and nodded in acknowledgement as I lowered myself onto the seat.

  “Hope you get better fast, Mr. Viper.” With two hands, he gently closed the car door. I rolled the window down with one hand and reached into my pocket with the other.

  “Thanks, Carl. Best of luck to you and Sheila.” I held my hand out for him to shake.

  He grasped it firmly as his eyes lit up. “Thank you, sir. Best of luck to you and this beautiful woman, too. She drove out here in the middle of the night for you. You’re a lucky man.”

  Michelle slapped both hands over her heart and looked at Carl with glassy eyes.

  My eyes slid from her back to Carl. “Best decision you ever made, huh?”

  “Ever.” His wide grin returned. “Have a great night, folks.”

  “Bye! Thank you!” Michelle called out as I rolled the window back up. “What a sweet man. I can’t believe the nice things he said.”

  I let out a quick laugh. “I can. I had a hundred dollar bill in my hand when I shook his.”

  Her eyes widened and she punched me again. Then she slipped her hand in mine and drove me home.

  Just like I figured, I hardly slept at all that night. Except instead of worrying about Viper and waiting for his call, I was worrying about Viper and watching him sleep.

  I felt a little better that he was in bed next to me and not several states away, but every little groan he made had me jumping out of my skin. Thankfully the meds seemed to be doing their job at keeping the pain away, but they didn’t help with his restlessness.

  “Are you okay? Do you need anything?” I asked quietly after he sighed for the fourth time in less than two minutes.

  “No, I’m fine. Just uncomfortable.” He let out another sigh. “I hate sleeping on my back. This sucks!”

  “I know it does, but I don’t think sleeping on your side or your stomach is a good idea with that big brace on your knee.”

  “Staying awake isn’t a good idea, either,” he grumbled as he shoved the covers off of him angrily.

  “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling for a minute. “Yeah, roll over.”

  “Huh?”

  “Roll over.”

  I frowned and stared at him. “Why?”

  “Please just do it.”

  “Fine.” It was my turn to sigh as I rolled over and faced away from him. “But if you think this is some lame attempt to get yourself laid, that’s so not happening. I’m exhausted and you’re broken.”

  “I’m not broken. Hush.” He grunted as he leaned on his elbow and turned on his side, scooting right up against my back and throwing an arm around my waist.

  “What are you doing? Doesn’t this hurt? Are you okay?” I rambled.

  His scruffy chin scraped the back of my neck as he nuzzled in close. “I’m fine. I sleep better with my dick in between your butt cheeks. That’s where it belongs.”

  I smiled to myself and laced my fingers with his, happy that he, and his penis, were home with me. Within a few seconds, his breathing evened out and his chest vibrated against my back as he snored softly. Thankfully I wasn’t far behind.

  A few hours later, the sun snuck around the curtains and filled my bedroom. I cracked an eye open and lifted my head off the pillow just enough to peek at the clock. It was a little past six and Viper had to be back at the rink by nine to meet with Dr. Jennings, the Wild’s team doctor, to discuss his injury. We knew they would probably send him to the hospital for an MRI after that, but Dr. Jennings wanted to check him out first.

  Viper still had his arm wrapped around me and was lying in the exact same position he’d fallen asleep in just a few hours before. Being up half the night wasn’t fun at all, but I was thankful we’d both been able to grab a few hours of sleep, at least.

  “Hey, you awake?” I ran my fingertips softly along the tattoos on his muscular forearm, tracing the dark lines back and forth.

  He moaned a few garbled words that didn’t make any sense and started snoring quietly again.

  Since he obviously wasn’t in the mood to wake up just yet, I figured I’d text Kacie and make sure the kids did okay overnight.

  Hey! I’m sure you’re not up yet, but shoot me a text when you are. I just want to see how the kids slept. Hopefully they weren’t too much trouble for you. Thanks so much for offering to keep them last night. xo

  I tucked my phone under my pillow, surprised when it vibrated under my head just a minute later.

  Kacie: I’m up! How is he?

  He’s okay. I have to have him at the rink in just a little bit, then I’ll come and get the kids from you.

  Kacie: No, no! Don’t worry about them. They’re still sound asleep. I threw their outfits in the wash last night so they can wear them again today. As soon as they wake up and have breakfast, Mom and I are going to lather them up in sunscreen and take them back down to the lake to play. You do what you have to do and get them whenever. We’re fine here.

  Thank you so much, Kacie. You’ve helped me more in the last 24 hours than anyone else my whole life.

  Kacie: Psh! Don’t mention it. Go to the doc with him and keep me posted, okay? Brody is a nervous wreck. I guess he texted Viper a few times, but he hasn’t answered.

  He was pretty doped up on pain meds and crashed right when we got home. I’ll tell him to call after his appointment.

  Kacie: Okay, good luck! Love you guys!

  Thanks. Love you, too.

  I set the phone on my nightstand and scooted back into Viper’s warm arms for a few more minutes of snuggling before we had to get up and face whatever the day was going to throw at us.

  “You okay?” I asked as we pulled into the players’ parking area of the rink. Viper had been in really good spirits all morning, but I suspected it was an act.

  “I am,” he answered as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

  I turned the car off but didn’t make a move to open the door. “No. I mean are you really okay?”

  He turned in his seat to face me, his hard blue eyes softening as they fixed on mine. “I am, I promise. I was freaking out last night when it happened, but then the X-rays came back clean and that was a huge relief. Plus, it hardly hurt at all last night. I know they have to check me out, but I can tell it’s nothing. I’ll probably even be able to fly out later tonight to make the last two games of the road trip.”

  His voice was sincere, maybe even a little upbeat.

  He reached over and squeezed my hand as he continued, “Let’s go in and get this over with, grab the kids, and go see Gam, okay?”

  I nodded. “We need to do that for sure. She was really worried when I called her last night. She told me to let her know when you were better so she can kick your ass.”

  He tilted his head to the side. “Kick my ass? For what? It’s not my fault I got hurt.”

  “No, something about a nurse coming to the house? I didn’t really catch it all because I was in the middle of a meltdown worrying about you.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “A nurse? Already? Wow. Ellie moves fast.”

  “Huh?”

  “Ellie—Andy’s assistant. I asked her to look into hiring a nurse to help Gam out around the house and stuff.”

  “Why would you do that?” I exclaimed. “I told you I could handle—”

  “I know what you said,” he interrupted, “but you have a lot going on with the kids and stuff, so I figured even someone just a couple days a week would help out and give you a break.”

  “It’s not necessary, Viper. I am more than capable of han
dling the kids and Gam.”

  “I know you are, and me hiring someone to help out doesn’t mean that you aren’t. I’m just trying to make everyone’s life a little easier.” He flashed his cheesy, boyish smile that he knew I couldn’t resist and my lips defiantly curled into a smile.

  A million different thoughts started racing through my head. Part of me was disappointed that he didn’t want to let me take care of Gam by myself, but another part of me felt a little . . . relieved. Taking care of Gam wasn’t hard, it was time consuming. And while Viper may not have been worried about his injury, I was—not that I would ever tell him that. He was convinced he’d be flying out again that night, but I wasn’t so sure. And if his injury turned out to be more than he thought it was, taking care of the kids, plus Gam, plus him would be really tough on me.

  “Now come on.” He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed the top of it. “Let’s get this over with so Gam can kick my ass sooner. I’m hoping there’ll be enough time after all the shit we need to do for a little quickie before I leave again.” He dragged his tongue slowly along his top lip as he wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

  “Ugh,” I groaned playfully as I pulled my hand from his. “Do you ever not think about your penis?”

  “Uh . . . no. He’s my buddy and it’s my job to take care of him. If he’s not happy, I’m not happy. ”

  “Okay, okay. I get it. Now get your happy penis out of the car and let’s go in before you’re late.”

  “He’s not happy right now. Actually,”—he paused and frowned, looking up in the air—“he’s a little stoned from all the meds. I think he might code out! Hurry! Give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation!”

  “I’m going to give him fist-to-mouth resuscitation if you don’t get out of this car right now.” I giggled as I got out of the car before he could say any more.

  Dr. Jennings was already sitting at a desk in the training room when we got there, looking at what I assumed were Viper’s X-rays on the computer screen.