Page 65 of Nailing Heat

I nod.

“Come on, ladies, there is lunch awaiting and we need our guest of honor,” Jase calls as he heads towards the team room.

“We’re coming,” Mac calls after him. “Well, ladies, shall we?”

“We shall,” I reply, hobbling along slowly to the team room.

Dex pulls up with the cart. “Come on, ladies, let me give you a ride. I think I can fit all of you on here.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I tell him.

“Just shut up and get on the cart.” When I don’t move he says. “Don’t make me pick you up and put you in this thing because, woman, I will.”

I giggle, tempted to let him do that because I’d like to be in his arms right now. But I don’t.

“Fine, we’ll get in, if you’re going to be all dominating about it,” I tease him.

Dex hops out of the cart and heads over to me; he’s standing toe-to-toe with me right now. “I haven’t even begun to dominate you yet.” His voice was low, but I know the other girls can hear him. He leans in and places a quick kiss on my lips before gently picking me up bridal-style and placing me in the front seat of cart with him.

I hear the murmurs behind me, and I’m surprised that no one has called it out. But then Hendrix speaks.

“Is this some new kind of therapy that the Blaze is providing? And do we get to pick who kisses us?” she teases.

“When did all this start?” I hear Mac ask from behind me.

Dex looks over at me and just winks. Clearly, he does not plan on sharing anything with the group.

“We can talk about it later,” I tell them as we reach the entrance to the team room.

“You bet your ass we will,” Cassie says as she hops out of the cart.

We all make our way into the team lunch, where, of course, Coach Watts has to make a speech.

“I want to say that, Amelia, we are so glad to have you back here with us. Your Blaze family is here for you during this injury. But we know that you will be back playing with us soon. Take your time because your family is waiting for you with open arms.”

Everyone claps and I waver a bit as I try to stand on my own. There are a few calls for a “Speech!”

“You have the floor,” Coach Andie says and motions for me to stand and come to the front of the room.

I hold on tightly my crutches like they’ll keep me from falling. I sigh and look out at my team crowded into the room. Everyone is watching me intently, waiting to see what I’ll have to say. I know I better make it quick, they’re all hungry. My stomach grumbles remining me that it’s not them that’s hungry.

I plant the crutches too wide, and my weight shifts wrong. One tip skids slightly, and I lurch sideways, heart jumping into my throat. My arms scramble to correct, muscles straining as I fight for balance. I don’t fall, not quite, but it’s close enough to sting. I steady myself, breath shallow, cheeks burning. I hear a few gasps, but I keep moving. I grip the handles tighter and keep going, slower now, each movement deliberate. Determined to not struggle again.

“I appreciate everyone’s love, support and outreach that you have done. It really does help. I’m going to be working with the trainers to get strong again and get back as soon as I can. And I will keep coming to practices. You won’t get rid of me that easily.”

There’s more applause and then Jase calls out, “We love you, Amelia, now let’s eat!”

Dex appear by my side and says, “Let’s get you fed.”

“I can probably do it.”

He looks at me and smirks. “Exactly how do you plan on doing that, on those?” He raises his eyebrows at me, waiting for me to reply with something witty, but I don’t. “See, you need me.”

I nod and follow him through line, telling him what goes on my tacos.

“Where am I taking this?” he asks me.

“Umm.” I look around and find the table that my girls have claimed. “Over there.”