Page 24 of Barn Burner (Love The Game #2)

Jesse

The doctors discharge me from the hospital two days later, and I’m grateful to be going home. It’s not that I haven’t been well looked after. The surgeon, doctors, and nurses have all been incredible to me, but it’s Brayden I’m worried about.

He hasn’t left my side since he got back from Nashville after I got out of surgery, despite me trying to persuade him to go home instead of sleeping in the cot one of the nurses brought in for him.

No matter what I said, he refused to leave me, even skipping out on his training sessions.

But tonight, he has a game against his old team, and I know he’s not fully rested or eaten as well as he should.

We did come to an agreement this morning, and as he’s home for the next ten days, with a game every other night, we decided he’ll drive to the ranch to pick me up tomorrow after practice, then I’ll stay at his house for a few weeks.

I’m not allowed to do any work around the ranch, and there are some things I’m unable to do without assistance with my arm in a cast and in a sling to prevent any movement in my collarbone, so being able to spend the time with Brayden will hopefully mean he’ll start looking after himself again.

“I could come pick you up tonight after the game,” he suggests, but I shake my head, instantly dismissing the idea.

“No, you need to sleep in a real bed. And you have to be at the practice facility in the morning. Think about what your brother’s friend mentioned about reducing your carbon footprint.”

“Okay, okay. You don’t need to threaten me with a PowerPoint presentation.” He snickers, then gives me a pointed look. “But I’ll be heading over as soon as I can leave practice tomorrow, so you better be ready.”

Grabbing his hand, I tug him closer until he’s standing between my legs, then reach up to curve my hand around the back of his neck.

“Good. I’ll be waiting,” I murmur against his lips.

He melts into the kiss, slipping his tongue into my mouth as his fingers slip under the hem of my zip-up hoodie.

It’s the only thing I can get on over the top of my sling and cast, meaning I’m wearing nothing underneath.

His fingers skim over my abdomen, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

I let out a low groan into his mouth and drop my hand to squeeze his ass.

“Are you rea—whoa, okay, I’ll go back outside.”

I tear my lips away from Brayden’s at the sound of Rhett’s voice.

“What time do you call this?” Brayden asks him, taking a step back from his spot between my legs.

Rhett looks at him, confusion written all over his face. “Uh, 11:00 a.m.? The time I said I’d come and pick up this grumpy ass?” He jerks his thumb over at me.

I press my lips together, trying not to laugh as Brayden crosses his arms over his chest.

“We’ve been waiting ages for you. Your brother is ready to go home, and you just turn up like you’re taking a jolly?”

He isn’t late at all, but it’s amusing to watch Rhett’s brows furrow.

“A jolly?” he asks.

Brayden waves him off, and I chuckle silently.

“It’s fine. You’re here now. The nurse has put his meds in here.

” He picks up the bag and hands it over to Rhett.

“The instructions are inside. Two tablets every four hours. There’s also something stronger in there if the pain is too much, but he’s gotta have it with food. ”

Rhett nods as Brayden continues, and seeing his bossy caretaker side ignites something inside me.

I love him fiercely. No doubt about it.

“Make sure you don’t separate them, as I’ll know if you’ve removed anything. I’ve counted them, and I’ll be checking when I pick him up tomorrow.”

“Brayden,” I say in amusement.

His attention lands on me, and his face instantly softens. “Yes, my dear?”

Both Rhett and I snort a laugh at his choice of words.

“I’m perfectly capable of managing them myself, but thank you for taking good care of me.”

He flashes me a pleased grin and leans down to steal another kiss.

“Always,” he breathes.

“Okay, enough of the PDA. Mom’s already antsy to get you home.

” Rhett claps his hands once and picks up my duffel bag, slinging it over his shoulder before addressing Brayden.

“You have a good game tonight.” He turns toward the door, then spins back around to point his finger at him. “No more fights.”

Brayden brings two fingers to his brow and salutes with a playful grin. “Roger that.”

I ease myself up off the bed and follow my boyfriend and brother out to the parking lot.

When we reach Rhett’s truck, I hook my good arm around Brayden’s waist and dip my head.

Sliding my mouth over his, I kiss him like I’m trying to memorize the feel of his lips, even though I’ll see him again tomorrow.

He curls his fingers into the fabric of my hoodie at my ribs, and I swallow his whimpers as my tongue glides into his mouth.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I murmur, and my heart fucking soars when he says, “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I reply and press another kiss to his lips. “Text me to let me know you’re safe.”

He smiles, almost shyly. “I will.”

“And have a good game tonight. I’ll be watching you, cheering for you.”

He cups my face with both hands and kisses me one last time before helping me into Rhett’s truck and waving me off. The moment he disappears from the view of the side mirror, my eyes close, and I drift off to sleep with Brayden on my mind.

The next day, Brayden texted to let me know he was on his way, so once I’ve packed a bag with some clothes and toiletries with the help of my mom, she drives me down to the barn to check in on Prince while I wait for Brayden to arrive.

This is the longest I’ve gone without seeing my beloved horse, so I have no doubt he’ll make his feelings about my absence very clear.

The second I walk into the barn, it’s as if he senses me. His head pokes over the top of his door and whinnies, shaking his head happily.

“Hey, boy.” I greet him with a smile, holding my palm open in front of him.

He shuffles his lips against my skin and then squishes his muzzle into my hand.

“Yeah, I’m alright. It’s just a couple of broken bones, nothing major,” I assure him as he continues his loving inspection of me by nibbling the brim of my hat.

“We’ll be back on our rides before you know it, but Cooper’s going to be looking after you for a few days while I rest up. Don’t go messin’ him around.”

The sound of Brayden’s laughter comes from behind me, and I turn to see him leaning against the wooden beam by Dakota’s stall. She’s also sticking her head over the door and is nibbling along his shoulder and back of his neck.

“When did you get here?” I ask, closing the distance to him to kiss him.

He wraps his arms around my waist, slotting against my side perfectly. “About two minutes ago. Your mum said you were in here,” he answers.

We exchange a few lazy kisses, and then Prince lets out a loud, disgruntled huff that causes both of us to laugh.

“He’s missed you,” Brayden says with a chuckle.

I roll my eyes and smile. “And the fact I’ve missed him, too, goes without saying,” I reply but angle my head so I’m speaking over my shoulder.

He grins.

“How was practice?” I ask.

“Good.” He nods. “I’m gonna need to nap when we get home, though, because the team trainer put us through one hell of a workout.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged,” I mumble, nipping his bottom lip. “I’ll go say my goodbyes, then we’ll get on the road.”

I let him go, returning to Prince’s stable to feed him the last of the marshmallows. I glance over my shoulder when I hear Brayden speaking in a gentle tone. He’s talking to Dakota, smoothing his hands over her muzzle.

“You’re good with her,” I say.

He smiles over at me. “She’s a sweet girl. She makes it easy.”

“Would you ever want a horse of your own?”

“I’d love one. I wouldn’t know the first thing about taking care of one, but I’d learn.”

I make a mental note to find the right horse for him when he decides to hang up his skates.

I know he mentioned having the conversation about whether or not to renew his contract at the end of his two years, and I will always support him in whatever he decides to do.

But I hope he doesn’t act too hastily because Brayden is too talented to give up on his dreams so soon.

Over the next few days, we settle into a routine.

Brayden helps me wash without getting my cast and stitches wet before he heads off to the practice facility.

I spend the time watching TV, sleeping on the couch, and doing some admin for the ranch.

It’s been a while since we updated the website, so I figured it was something I could do one-handed.

Then he comes home, and we eat lunch before taking a nap together.

Waking up next to him again is the best medicine I could have.

The feel of his soft skin pressed against mine. The scent of his shampoo and the fruity shower gel they have at the arena. The warmth he radiates seeps into my bones, allowing me to be completely relaxed for the first time in weeks. Since the last time he was in my bed.

Staying with him also means I’ve been attending his games.

I didn’t attend the first one because I was so tired, but I’ve been to the others.

Watching him in action fills me with a sense of pride.

He’s incredible. Magical, in fact. And every time I allow my gaze to scan the arena, it’s his name I see the most on the back of people’s jerseys.

He’s a superstar, and I’ll be damned if I allow him to end it all before he’s truly ready.

“How are you holding up?” Greta Petrov asks as she sits down beside me, a dainty champagne flute in her hand.

She’s married to Dimitri Petrov, one of Brayden’s linemates, and seems to have made it her mission to welcome me into the fold.

They were kind enough to let me join them in the family suite to avoid me getting caught up in the crowds down in the lower bowl.

“I’m good. I went to the hospital yesterday for another scan to make sure everything is healing as it should be, and they’re happy with the progress.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Dimitri has mentioned how happier Brayden has been these last couple of months.

We were worried about him toward the end of last season.

The media…” She shakes her head, disappointment lining her features.

“They can be so callous. Brayden is young and incredibly talented, and they put so much pressure on him. They’re quick to put him on a pedestal, but even quicker to pull it out from underneath him. ”

I squash down the frustration that rears its ugly head inside me at the mention of the media.

They were quick to be critical of his out-of-character spectacle in Nashville, but aside from that, they have been singing his praises.

But Brayden has told me not to read them as he didn’t want to allow them to get under his skin anymore.

I know about how he worked on shifting his mindset while he was at the ranch in August, and I won’t be a contributing factor in allowing that to slip.

“But you’re good for him,” she adds when I haven’t said anything. She doesn’t seem to be offended by my quietness compared to some of the others.

I give her a small smile. “He’s the best thing to happen to me.”

Her eyes sparkle as the arena lights come back on, marking the start of the next period. “And I know for certain you are the best thing to ever happen to him. His love for you is palpable, and I couldn’t be happier for you both.”