In Your Wildest Dreams (Wildcat Hockey, #4)(10)

I wince. Crap. The guy might be a total flirt and egomaniac, but he’s hurt and under my care. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”

My reaction to him has my guard flying up in defense. I will not fall for another guy who uses charm like a weapon.

His lips pull into a half-smile that’s cocky and endearing. “It’s okay, Nurse Bridget. You have all night to make it up to me.”





4





NURSE BRIDGET


ASH





Jack, Leo, Tyler, and Declan stop by after the game. The guys are crowded around the far side of the room, leaning against the wall. All except Jack, who’s sitting in the chair next to me.

I’m showered and sitting up in bed while they fill me in on the game. They won. Our first W in weeks. I freaking hate that I wasn’t there.

My head and shoulder hurt, but the painkillers keep it to a dull ache. More than anything I’m worried about how long I’ll be sidelined. A couple of weeks if I’m lucky, if I’m not, maybe a month or more. It’s a huge blow to me and to the team. This is supposed to be our fucking year.

“Wait, your nurse is the girl from the game?” Leo asks, brows lifted. “The one you’ve been searching for at every home game? The one who has you turning down girls left and right?”

I chuckle at his assessment, and playfully glower at Jack. The only way Leo would know that is from our dear captain because Leo hasn’t been out much since Callum was born.

“With good reason. I met a ten. You don’t shake off a ten that easily.”

A knock sounds at the door and I perk up, excited for the guys to meet Bridget. She’s cute as hell in her scrubs.

Her eyes widen as big as a hockey puck as she notes the four guys in the room with me. She’s carrying a cafeteria tray in front of her. That long, curly hair is pulled back in a clip, and falls over one shoulder. My memory of her didn’t do her justice. If she’s a ten, then every other girl I’ve ever called a ten was really a six. I’m going to have to redo my entire scale. Zero to Bridget.

She covers her surprise quickly, smoothing out her expression and smiling stiffly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had visitors. I can come back.”

“No, come in. I was just telling them about you.” I wave her over.

Her brows lift and she hesitates before she steps farther into the room.

She sets the tray on the table next to my bed, then eyes the bags of takeout my teammates brought.

Leo takes a step forward and offers his hand to her. “You must be Bridget. I’m Leo.”

“Hi, Leo.” After a short hesitation, she takes his hand, then nods to the other guys. They’re all giving her these big, cheesy smiles, which is hella awkward. She doesn’t seem to notice. Or if she does, she’s hiding it well.

“I was just dropping off your dinner and checking to see if there was anything else you need before I take my first break, but it looks like your friends are taking good care of you.”

“Anything for Ash. He’s a great guy.” Declan gives her an approving nod.

“The best!” Tyler adds enthusiastically. “Everybody loves him. Most genuine guy you’ll meet.”

Jack chuckles and then covers it with a cough.

Dear god. How am I the single one when these guys are this bad at talking to girls? Do they really think they’re helping me out?

Bridget hesitates like she isn’t sure how to respond before she says, “Visiting hours end in twenty minutes. I can ask for special permission if you’d like someone to stay with you overnight, but you need to rest.”

And have them continue to talk me up to her like I’m their kid brother that can’t get a date? No way. “I’m good. They were just heading out anyway. Right guys?”

“Yep,” they all say at once and start shuffling around to leave.

“I am sorry to kick you guys out,” Bridget says, genuine sympathy in her voice. I like that she’s not afraid to tell my buddies to take a hike, but yet she still seems apologetic about it.

“We understand.” Jack places a reassuring hand on my good shoulder. “Text if you need anything. I’ll stop by in the morning.”

Each of the guys says their goodbyes and thanks Bridget on their way out. Leo gives me a thumbs-up as he disappears out the door.

When we’re finally alone, she motions for me to lie back. “How’s your pain?”

“With them around? Excruciating.”

She laughs lightly. “And now?”

“Same as before. Not too bad.”

“You can have more meds in thirty minutes.”

I melt back into the pillow, relaxing for the first time since I got here. “Does that mean you’ll be back in half an hour?”

“Yes, if someone else doesn’t beat me to it.”

I tilt my head to the side in question, and Bridget laughs quietly. “I’ll be shocked if the other nurses don’t fight over who gets to cover my break. Your presence has everyone losing their minds.”

“Everyone but you.”

Her stare holds mine as she adjusts the bed’s incline to relieve more pressure from my shoulder. “I was surprised to see you.”

“Excited?”