by Robyn M Ryan
Tom gently brushed her hair away from her face. “That’s not the norm, Cassie. Unfortunately, some guys are selfish pricks.” He hooked a finger below her chin and teased her eyes into looking at him. “You call the shots here. I’m good with cuddling if that’s what you want…I’m not expecting anything.”
He saw the sudden mischief transform her expression. “Maybe I’m expecting more than cuddling, doctor.”
Tom slipped the towel from her shoulders. “We can arrange that.” He walked her back toward the bed as they enjoyed a leisurely kiss. When her legs hit the side of the bed, he fell on the mattress, pulling her beside him. “Can’t believe we’re home alone,” he murmured against her lips.
“We need to make the most of this private time.” Cassie ran her fingers through his thick hair, encouraging him to deepen the kiss.
“Yes. Every. Single. Second.”
Both overslept. Tom awoke first, and a quick glance at the clock confirmed his suspicions—it was well past Andrew and Caryn’s expected arrival time. He pulled on his gym shorts and grabbed a shirt from the drawer and slipped it over his head.
“Where are you going?”
Tom sat beside Cassie on the bed. “Nowhere, sweet. We overslept…Checking to see if Andrew and family arrived home.”
“Crap! I wanted everything perfect for them.” She nodded toward her still-damp clothes draped over a chair. “I have nothing to wear.”
Tom kissed her forehead. “Go, take a shower. I’ll check things out and grab some clothes for you.”
39
Suddenly the house regained its usual hectic pace—heightened by the twins’ latest achievement. They took their first steps while both sets of grandparents had gathered at Caryn and Andrew’s townhome.
“Daredevil Danny was the first—no surprise,” Caryn told Cassie. “But Jenna was right behind him. Best Christmas gift they could give their grandparents.”
“I can’t wait to see them in action,” Cassie said as she helped fold the toddlers’ clothes. “Lots of new outfits?”
“Their grandparents spoiled them—and us—with enough clothes that we won’t need to wash more than once a week. Thankfully, most are larger sizes that they can grow into.”
Cassie held up coordinated outfits. “I love these. The overalls are so cute!”
“Have you made plans for New Year’s Eve? Andrew and I aren’t going out—It’ll be a treat having a quiet night at home. So, if you and Tom want to go somewhere…” Caryn’s voice trailed off with a speculative smile.
“He said he’s made plans—secret, of course!” Cassie released a sigh. “I’m glad he’s not working those two days…unless he gets called in.”
“Don’t even put that thought out there, Cassie! Your first New Year’s Eve in Tampa will be perfect. End of discussion.” Caryn placed the folded clothes in the laundry basket. “I predict a very romantic New Year’s celebration.”
“Do you know something I don’t?”
“Just woman’s intuition,” Caryn said with a smile.
Caryn decided at the last minute to skip the game between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Daniel’s and Jenna’s appetite and energy had been unusually low all day. After checking with their pediatrician, Caryn told Cassie that they could be showing the first signs of a cold.
“They know I’m a worrier,” she said with a laugh. “As long as they don’t run a fever and stay hydrated, I should just monitor them. Drew suggested I stay home…he knows I wouldn’t leave them anyway… So why not go to the game?”
Cassie hesitated. “I worry about Danny and Jenna, too. Don’t you want company?”
“I’d rather you go to the game and meet up with this special doctor you’ve barely seen these past few days.”
“I don’t even know if he’s on call tonight.”
“One way to find out.”
They left the arena hand-in-hand following the game. “In the mood for a late dinner?” Tom asked as he beeped the door locks.
“As long as I’m with you, I’m in the mood for anything.”
Tom turned her and pressed her back against the car. “Yeah?” His mouth met hers with a kiss that left no doubt that he shared her feelings. Cassie roped her arms around his neck and pressed against his solid chest.
“We could get takeout,” she suggested with an enticing smile.
Tom looked at her thoughtfully. “Maybe I should check in on my nephew and niece.” He bit back a grin when her expression changed.
“You should.”
“And I will…but first we’ll have a quiet dinner at our Bistro on the Bay. Then after I check the twins, we can enjoy the dessert in the apartment.” He watched her eyes brighten and couldn’t resist another kiss. “Let’s get out of here before the guys try to drag us to Center Ice.” He punctuated his words with light kisses across her cheek. Cassie resisted releasing him when he opened the passenger door. Maybe his kisses have something to do with that…just don’t stop...
Tom chuckled when he pulled back. “You don’t play fair.”
“Speak for yourself, Tommy. I can’t resist your kisses.” She placed a chaste peck on his cheek.
“We’re both in trouble.”
“It’s so magical tonight,” Cassie whispered when they sat at a table beside the picture window. “I’m so glad you found Bistro on the Bay. I love coming here.” Something about the intimate French-themed restaurant enchanted her. Maybe the Bay’s sparkling surface under the moonlight? The soft jazz just loud enough to set the mood? Her attentive—boyfriend?—across the table. Cassie couldn’t restrain the giggle that escaped. Nothing boyish about Tom…but what term works? My guy, my hunky prince, hot hockey doc?
She saw the question in Tom’s eyes. “Care to share?”
Cassie shook her head. “Just pondering something.”
“Something profound, philosophical?”
Cassie swatted his shoulder with her menu. “Nothing like that, doctor.” She bit her lip. “How would you introduce me to someone I don’t know?”
“What do you mean?”
“Would you say I’m your brother’s nanny….or the niece of a best friend…” She paused, feeling her skin flush.
Tom chuckled. “Neither of the above. What if I called you my girlfriend? Would that bother you?”
“Of course not! I just can’t see myself referring to you as a boy-friend…”
Tom’s cinnamon eyes teased her. “How about your personal physician?”
“That could work...” Cassie pretended to peruse the menu. “Don’t suppose you’d go along with my hot, hunky, hockey doc?”
“That would be a hard no.” Tom laughed as he shook his head. “Objectifying men?”
“I’m not talking about every man—just you.” Cassie hid behind the menu. “Just forget I said anything…told you I was just pondering.”
Tom took the menu from her and reached across the table to take her hand. “Are you having doubts about us?”
“Not really…”
“We talked about an exclusive relationship, a commitment to see where the journey takes us. Second thoughts?”
“None, but what I feel for you scares me. What if we’re not on the same page?”
Tom kissed her palm. “If you knew my feelings, you might run in the opposite direction.”
Cassie looked at him with a small smile. “I know we agreed to see where our relationship takes us. I don’t want to get ahead of things, but I’m way past the Friendship Zone. I don’t want to set myself up for a broken heart.” Cassie bit her tongue, realizing she’d just admitted just how much she had fallen for this man.
“Cassie, I have no intention of breaking your heart. I know I want…us…” He pointed between them, “…to continue our journey.” He winked as he sipped his water. “I promise I’ll always be honest with you, babe, though, I suspect we’re on the same page right now. Would I scare you if I said I’m falling in love with you—if I’m not already there?”
Cassie
didn’t expect the wave of emotions to crash over her. Her gaze blurred, and she pinched the bridge of her nose, but not before a single tear had escaped. She flicked it away and took a deep breath.
“No, those would be the happiest words I could ever hear.”
Tom squeezed her hand. “I think I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you at the airport. I love you, Cassie Johnson. You slipped your way into my heart, and I don’t want to let you go.” His cinnamon eyes locked with hers. She saw the promise, commitment, and love in his expression.
She shut her eyes tightly to hold back the tears. “You know I love you, Tom. I’ve been afraid I’d blurt it out sometime and send you running.”
She saw the flash of amusement flicker across his eyes. “Not. A. Chance. I love you; I love everything about you, Cassie. You’re a breath of fresh air in a world full of phonies.”
40
Cassie floated in a bubble of happiness, determined to savor every moment while praying that she’d never awaken from this dream. She didn’t mention Tom when she called her mother to wish her a Happy New Year. Not listening to her snarky comments about men or questions about how a neurologist could love me. Definitely don’t need her telling me how much I’m risking by putting myself in this situation. Risk? What risk… that I might actually find happiness with a man? Risk a broken heart? Maybe… But I trust Tom—no matter what Mom thinks about men. He never pushes, lets me set the pace. If he’d just wanted a quick hookup, I probably would have been happy…but now, he says he loves me and wants to make plans for the future. Where I enroll in college. Career goals. But Mom would never believe that…I’m still just a kid in her eyes. An irresponsible, impulsive kid. And Tom’s like every other man.
She refused to give her mother a chance to dump cold water over her bubble.
No raised eyebrows greeted Tom and Cassie when they began spending their free time together. Cassie loved when Lauren spoke of them as a couple. Her heart soared every time Caryn, Terri, or Kelly referred to them as “Tom-and-Cassie”—like a single entity. She’d taken the job in Tampa hoping to decide a path for the future—and maybe date a professional hockey star. Instead, she’d discovered someone she wanted in her future and now tried to plan an educational path that would enable her to stay in Tampa.
Tom suggested she explore local community colleges for the core curriculum she’d need no matter what career she followed. Some even offered online courses that would mesh seamlessly with her schedule. She told Lauren and Dave and the Chadwicks when she applied for the upcoming semester, but hoped to surprise her parents when she presented her post-gap-year plan. With her twenty-first birthday in sight, Cassie felt a new resolve to show her independence.
Tom offered the use of the office in the apartment that he’d set up during his residency. Cassie thought her basic textbooks looked out of place surrounded by the medical tomes and journals, but she gratefully accepted the invitation. So far, her schoolwork coordinated smoothly with the evenings that Tom had to work or during the twins’ afternoon naps. Her days were full, but Cassie had never felt happier.
Tom’s part-time job as the Suns’ concussion specialist had resulted in few mandatory removals from games, with only a handful of players referred to the hospital for further evaluation. Occasionally, an opposing team’s coach or player argued the necessity of Tom’s decisions. Still, with the backing of the front office and buy-in from each team’s training staff, contested decisions quickly reached a resolution.
During the third period of a mid-January home game, Tom watched Andrew take a hard hit against the boards. He observed Andrew hit the glass head-first, then moved closer to the monitor to determine if his head bounced against the ice as he fell. Tom ignored the players squaring off around the boards, and scrutinized Andrew, waiting for him to move.
Andrew had pushed himself to his knees by the time Pettit reached his side. He shook his head when Jim Pettit spoke, and Tom guessed his brother would try to convince the trainer he could stay on the ice. No surprise—he’ll insist he’s okay. After watching his brother skate a few feet away from Pettit, Tom knew Andrew needed further evaluation.
Andrew resisted Pettit’s attempt to skate him toward the bench until Steve Rogers and John Peterson quickly escorted him off the ice and down the tunnel to the training room.
“Where do you want him?” John asked when he saw Tom. Andrew shook off the hands helping him and entered the darkened room before Tom could respond.
“Thanks,” Tom said before following his brother into the room. He clapped a hand on Andrew’s shoulder.
“Dirty play. How do you feel?” Tom nodded toward a chair.
“I’m fine. Dizzy at first.”
“Headache?”
“What do you think?” Andrew countered with a wry smile. “Feels like my head bounced against the ice.”
“It did. You want to text Caryn before I do the exam?” He offered his phone to Andrew.
“Thanks.” Tom watched as his brother swiped at the phone, finally opening the Messages app. He paused a moment before typing Caryn’s name, shaking his head, and finally closing one eye to focus on the screen. He typed a short sentence, then pressed “send.”
“Short and sweet,” Andrew commented when he handed the phone back to his brother.
“Relax, and I’ll get you through the exam.” Tom glanced at Pettit, who stood to the side. Andrew had difficulty tracking the penlight, eventually shutting his eyes against the light with a sigh.
“Andrew, I’m sending you to the hospital for further tests,” Tom said.
“That’s bullshit, Tom. Just give me some time here. I’m okay.”
Andrew opened his eyes, and Tom recognized the flash of stubbornness. “You send me to the hospital, Caryn will panic. I’m not putting her through that again.”
“She’s on her way down,” Pettit spoke up. “She can go with you.”
“You know the protocol,” Tom spoke softly.
“I don’t need further evaluation. I know the fucking protocol.”
“Dan’s waiting for you at the hospital,” Tom said evenly. “You convince him you’re fine; he’ll send you home.”
“Fucking waste of time.”
“You want to leave in your uniform or change?” Tom ignored his brother’s outburst.
“You’re giving me a choice?”
“If you can handle it.” Tom watched as Andrew unlaced his skates with his eyes closed. He removed them, pulled his jersey and pads from his upper body, then reached for the treatment table to steady himself as he slowly stood to shed the rest of his uniform. When he paused for a long moment, Pettit offered to help.
“Lucas is collecting your personal items to give to Caryn. Let’s just get you into these sweats.”
Tom slipped out of the room and updated Harper. “He’s going…reluctantly. I don’t think it’s anything serious, other than a mild concussion, but with his history…”
“Take no chances,” the coach agreed.
Tom saw Caryn walk hesitantly toward them and met her halfway. “He’s okay, Caryn. Conscious and bitching about having to go to the hospital.”
“Can I go with him?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Maybe you can help with his attitude.”
Caryn’s soft laugh sounded strained. “Where is he?”
Tom showed a closed door about ten feet away. “Dan will meet the ambulance—Andrew won’t have time to complain. I’ll come as soon as the game’s over and either take you guys home or help restrain him in a hospital bed. Either way, he’ll be fine, Caryn.”
“Will you let Cassie know we might be late?” Caryn asked as she walked beside him toward the door.
“No worries. I’ll also call Lauren.” Tom hugged her affectionately before he reached to push the door open. “Good luck with him.”
As soon as the ambulance left, Tom pressed Cassie’s name on his phone. She answered before he heard it ring.
“Tom, what’s happening? Ho
w’s Andrew?”
“On his way to the hospital—just precautionary tests, nothing serious, babe.” He updated her on the situation and relayed Caryn’s message.
“Tell her not to worry. The love bugs are fast asleep.”
“Not sure when I’ll see you, Cassie…Someone will come by in case you need backup.”
“We’re fine. Please keep me in the loop.”
“Promise. Call if you need anything.”
Cassie sighed as she set her phone on the counter. Andrew left the ice on his own—just a little help from his teammates. That’s a good sign, right? Nothing like the trauma two years ago.
She didn’t know the details of Andrew’s head injury, but from comments knew that it was a life-threatening situation, followed by over a year of rehab. Cassie sensed Caryn’s wish to avoid those memories, and she didn’t want to pry by asking Lauren. She found plenty of information on Google, but only read enough to understand the horrific accident and slow recovery. Hope Caryn’s not experiencing déjà vu…surely, some of her friends had arrived at the hospital. Cassie hated feeling helpless and concentrated on the only thing she could—blanketing Andrew and Caryn with prayers.
41
“Any news?” Cassie asked when Lauren and Dave stopped at the house on their way home.
“Unless something has changed, Tom sounded confident that Andrew’s doctor would keep him at least overnight,” Lauren said. “Just for observation.”
“And an ‘overabundance of caution,’ as Tom put it,” Dave added.
“Can I get you anything? Water, soft drinks, coffee?”
“We know where to find it, Cass. Relax while you can—do Daniel and Jenna wake up during the night?”
