Page 29 of Just One: Box Set

Chapter Three

P hillip felt like his entire body was on fire. No—scratch that. He felt like he’d been drug behind a bus and then the bus stopped and backed over him. His eyes felt like they were weighed down with lead as he tried to blink them open. Fuck. Phillip couldn’t understand why he couldn’t move.

“It’s because your leg is in traction to keep it still.” The soft voice filtered through the strange haze surrounding him.

He must have spoken that aloud, otherwise how would the stranger know what to say? “Where am I?” Blinking his eyes, Phillip winced at the bright lights above him.

“The hospital. You were injured during your game and had surgery.” Phillip pressed his elbows into the mattress he was lying on and attempted to sit up. “Whoa… let me help you.”

The most beautiful blue eyes stared down at him as the bed slowly lifted.

He blinked several times, trying to make sure the gorgeous woman wasn’t a figment of his imagination.

Once the blurriness vanished from his vision, he realized he wasn’t dreaming and that she was actually standing in front of him. “Amy.”

She tensed as she stepped back. “Hey Phillip. I’d ask how you are—but.” She ticked her head toward his leg. It was strung up in some kind of contraption, and as he moved to get a better look, a sharp jolt of pain pulsed through his whole body.

“Fuck.” He groaned, throwing his body against the bed. “What happened?”

“Let me grab your family. I know they’ve been going stir crazy waiting for you to wake up.” Amy attempted to move away from Phillip, but he reached out and halted her progress.

“Wait.” He held onto her arm, not sure what he wanted. “Can you at least tell me if I’ll play soccer again?”

“Am I interrupting something?” Dr. Spencer stepped into the room, his eyes immediately zeroing in on Phillip’s hand wrapped around Amy’s wrist.

Amy jerked free of his hold and glared at him. “No. I was just going out to get his family.”

“Amy.” Phillip snapped, making Dr. Spencer’s eyebrows raise. “I know you have a habit of running, but please don’t go. Not yet.”

Amy closed her eyes and took a deep breath and whispered to herself, “I don’t run.

” She’d expected Phillip to be angry with her after the way she’d treated him in Vegas, so the desperate tone in his voice had her feeling conflicted when she expected anger.

Glancing briefly to Dr. Spencer, she simply nodded her head.

“Fine. But let me at least get the nurse to call your family. They’ll be mad otherwise. ”

She poked her head out into the hallway, quickly letting the nurses know he was awake and to call his brother.

As soon as she’d done that, she slid back over to the side of Phillip's bed.

Phillip reached out and tugged her hand into his, making her stiffen for a moment.

When he brushed his thumb across her knuckles, she relaxed her body and sighed.

Dr. Spencer glanced at their joined hands and paused mid-sentence.

“Is there something going on between you two?”

Amy coughed, tugging her hand free and shaking his touch off. “No. And if there was, what business is it of yours?”

Phillip glanced between the two of them, watching with curiosity. “Because you’re going to be part of his rehab team. If you two have a personal relationship, I wouldn’t be comfortable with you handling his therapy.”

“Not that there is anything going on between us. Why would that impair my ability to provide top service to him? In fact, I would think it would make me work harder for him. No one wants to see him have a successful recovery like someone who loves him.” Phillip squeezed her hand, making her feel guilty for saying something about love.

“He’s family. And right now, he needs comfort.

Which is all I am giving him. If you’re going to attack me or the relationship I have with him—maybe you need to be replaced.

” She tugged her hand from his. “Phillip, I think I’ll go find everyone else.

Dr. Spencer will fill you in on the surgery and what to expect over the next couple of days.

You and I will talk about rehab and what you’re going to need to get back to yourself.

” Amy stepped away from the bed and moved toward the door.

She paused, glancing over her shoulder as she grasped the handle.

“And Dr. Spencer, if you can’t let go that I ended things between us…

this working relationship won’t be happening. I don’t care who you are.”

Amy pulled open the door and stepped out.

As soon as it was closed, she found herself leaning against it as she blew out the breath she’d been holding.

This whole situation was fucked up. Phillip was the man she wanted but couldn’t have—not after she humiliated him months ago.

And Brian Spencer was obviously not over their breakup.

Her head throbbed as she went in search of her brother and his wife.

Phillip was going to need their support when he learned he might never play soccer again.

Phillip stared at the door Amy had just escaped through. He’d met her before at his sister’s wedding to her brother, Archer. He’d tried to convince her to go out on a date with him, but she insisted she didn’t date men in high-profile jobs—and soccer was definitely high profile.

Dr. Spencer said something about his injury, but he’d nearly missed it while lost in his own thoughts. Phillip finally looked up at him and narrowed his eyes. “Wait. Did you just say I may not play again?” Soccer was his life. Without it, he didn’t know who he’d be or what he’d do.

“Yes. The reality is you may never get one hundred percent functionality back in your leg. It all depends on how you heal and physical therapy.”

Phillip bristled in his bed. “How long am I out?”

Dr. Spencer sighed, “It’s a blessing the season is over, because you wouldn’t be returning if it wasn’t. And if everything goes well, maybe you’ll return at the beginning of next season.”

“Fuck.” He grunted, leaning his head back against his pillow.

The door to his room opened and his sister stepped through, followed closely by—well, everyone, including Amy.

His eyes followed her as she stood in the corner.

He knew he should be mad at the way things went down between them in Vegas, but it was the opposite reaction.

Seeing her stirred the longing he felt when they met.

“Phillip.” Harley’s voice snapped his focus from Amy. When he turned, he found Harley peering down at him. “Oh, my God. You had me worried.”

“I’m alright.”

“Liar.” Damon, the oldest of the three of them, hugged Harley against him. “You know damn well you aren’t ok.”

Phillip forced a smile. “What are you doing here? Thought you were in Venice chasing a woman.”

Allison stepped around his massive frame and smiled at Phillip. “He was. But when we got the call, we came home.”

Phillip felt a tinge of jealousy watching as his brother wrapped an arm around Allison’s middle.

“I see.” He grumbled out, his eyes seeking Amy in the corner.

“Guess we are going to be one big happy family after all.” Amy’s eyes widened at his remark, but she said nothing.

“And yeah… you’re right. I’m not ok. Looks like I might not play again. ”

“What?” Harley gasped. “Not play again? Are you serious?”

Amy stepped forward, pressing her body against the bed. “Phillip, If Dr. Spencer says you have a chance at a full recovery… I promise to do everything within my ability to get you back out onto that field. Can you trust me enough to do that?”

“Yes.” Phillip held her gaze. “I trust you. Besides… this time you’ll have to stay put. No running off again.”

“Running off?” Harley glanced between them.

Amy’s eyes widened as her eyes met Harley’s. “I hardly think catching a plane in Vegas is running off.”

“As entertaining as this is to watch,” Dr. Spencer rolled his eyes. “Phillip will need someone to care for him round the clock. He cannot use his leg for a minimum of six weeks. I can recommend an in-home nurse if you’d like. Unless you have someone willing to stay with you.”

“I don’t want a nurse.” Phillip grumbled.

“You can come stay with Archer and me.” Harley patted his arm.

Phillip grunted. “In your tiny ass apartment? Thanks, but no.”

Damon sighed. “Well, my place is no better. It’s not conducive to your situation.”

“Neither is my place.” Phillip closed his head and sighed. “It’s the freaking penthouse in my apartment building.”

“You can stay with me,” Amy blurted out. Everyone turned to look at her, including Dr. Spencer. “I have a ranch house with four bedrooms. One of them has been converted to a home gym—which means we can even do your therapy there.”

“I don’t think so.” Dr. Spencer growled. “It would be unprofessional.”

“Unprofessional?” Harley glanced at him. “Amy is practically family and honestly, I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my brother’s care.”

“I agree.” Phillip interrupted. “I like Amy’s idea best.”

Fuck. She hadn’t thought this through, but now… with everyone staring at her, she couldn’t back out. She smiled at Phillip as she spoke. “Then it’s settled. When you get discharged, I’ll bring you home. I mean, I’ll bring you to my house.”

This was possibly the dumbest thing she’d ever agreed to do.