“Tomorrow, once the game begins, you’ll be fine.” Piper squeezed his hand. “Go to bed. Morning will come soon enough.”
“I won’t sleep a wink.” Levi placed his arm around Piper’s shoulders as they walked down the hall to his room. He gave her a hopeful look. “If you were in bed with me, I might catch a wink or two.”
“My mission is to walk you to the door,” Piper reminded him. Besides, your roommate might object if I stayed. And I know your head coach would have a fit.”
“I suppose,” Levi sighed.
“I’m sure Dylan will croon you a lullaby if you ask nicely,” she said.
Levi rolled his eyes.
“The man has the singing voice of a dying bullfrog.” He stopped at the hotel room door. “At least give me a kiss goodnight.”
“That, I can do.”
Taking Piper in his arms, Levi pushed a lock of hair from her face.
“Give me something to dream about,” he said and covered her lips with his.
“Aw. Aren’t they cute?” A slurred voice snickered. “The old man and his old lady. Perfect.”
Raising his head, Levi frowned when he saw Monte Oliver. The casts were gone from his arm and leg. Other than a slight limp, he looked none the worse for wear.
Except for the fact that he was stinking drunk. Even from ten feet away, Levi could smell the fumes of alcohol wafting from Monte’s body.
“Watch your step,” Levi warned when Monte swayed to one side.
“I’m fine,” Monte said. He swayed, hitting the wall with his shoulder, he barely remained on his feet.
Monte wasn’t alone. Next to him, equally as inebriated, stood a man of average height and build. His hair was dark and disheveled. He blinked several times as though trying clear his vision. Levi didn’t recognize him.
“What are you doing here, Teddy,” Piper asked.
When Piper would have stepped toward the man, Levi took her hand and placed her firmly behind him.
“Is he your brother?”
“I am.” Teddy snorted. “Don’t like her much.”
“Feelings mutual,” Piper muttered before raising her voice. “Again, Teddy. Why are you here?”
“Came to help my friend.” Teddy slapped Monte’s arm, stumbled, and almost took them both down. “He’s been wronged.”
“Damn right.” Monte puffed out his chest. “You stole my job, Reynolds. Can’t go anywhere without hearing your fucking name.”
“Find a bed and sleep it off,” Levi said, disgusted.
Levi turned, but before he could do more than take the keycard from his pocket, Monte rushed him, slamming him into the door.
“Are you out of your mind?” Levi demanded, pushing Monte away.
“Planned to take you out,” Monte said, weaving right, then left. “Smash your arm. Crush your knee.”
“Football’s Tonya Harding,” Teddy cackled. “Hilarious.”
“Get in the room,” Levi told Piper as he pointed to where the keycard landed. Before she could move, Monte placed his foot on the card and grinned.
“Stay behind me.” When Piper nodded, Levi took out his phone and hit speed dial. “Dylan? Come to the hotel room. Now! Bring every one of the Knights you can get your hands on. The bigger the better.”
“Calling for reinforcements?” Monte taunted. “Afraid to go one on one, old man?”
“Terrified,” Levi said, but not for himself. Monte and Teddy were intoxicated and unpredictable. He wasn’t taking any chances with Piper’s safety.
Levi calculated the distance to the elevator. Outrunning a pair of drunks wouldn’t be a problem. But again, he couldn’t be certain that one of the men might get lucky and grab Piper. She was his only concern.
The elevator doors opened. Dylan rushed out followed by six big, angry-looking football players. Levi heaved a sigh of relief.
“Looks like I missed my chance,” Monte said with a sad shake of his head. He glanced at his ex-teammates, then at Levi, and grinned. “Oh, what hell. You only live once.”
Reaching behind his back, Monte pulled a metal rod from the waistband of his jeans. Cursing himself for letting down his guard, Levi jumped back. He was fast, but not fast enough to completely avoid getting hit.
The blow landed on Levi’s ribs. He winced.
“Shit,” he hissed.
Monte didn’t get a chance for a second swing. Instead, he found himself flat on the floor. One linebacker sat on his back, another on his legs. He screamed for help, but no one was in the mood to listen.
In the confusion, Teddy tried to scamper away. Dylan knocked him cold with one punch.
“Fucking glass jaw,” the tight end said. Without a backward glance, he rushed to Levi. “How bad is it?”
Levi waved off his friend’s concern. Looking into Piper’s worried eyes, he smiled.
“I’m fine.”
“Call the police,” Piper told Dylan. “I’ll take Levi to the hospital.”
“No!” Levi grabbed her arm. He measured the volume of his voice so only Piper and Dylan could hear. “No doctors. Promise me.”
“You need to have someone check you out,” Dylan whispered. “What if you have a broken rib? Or two?”
“I know what a break feels like,” Levi said. “At most, the rib is cracked. Some tape and a few aspirins and I’ll be fine by game time.”
“Are you crazy?” Piper hissed. “I won’t let you play with your health.”
“Please.” Levi took a breath and grimaced. “Trust me.”
“At least let me call Erin,” Piper said. “She flew in for the game and has a room here in the hotel.”
“Isn’t she a gynecologist?” Dylan asked.
“She’s a doctor.” Piper met Levi’s gaze. “It’s her, or I tell Mac what happened. One call and your head coach will know everything.”
Levi didn’t need to think twice. He nodded.
“Get Erin.”
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲
“THE RIB IS cracked,” Erin Ashmore said as she finished taping Levi’s ribs.
“Not broken.” Levi nodded, sending Piper a reassuring smile. “I knew it.”
“You should get an x-ray, just to be certain.” Erin sighed. “But since I know my advice will fall on deaf ears, I’ll do my best to make you as comfortable as possible.”
“Thank you,” Piper said.
“Yes.” Levi winced as the Erin stood back to survey her handiwork. “I know I’m asking a lot. Especially after Piper woke you up to help.”
“You don’t want anyone to know you aren’t one hundred percent for the game.” Erin sighed. “I understand. If management finds out, Mac will be obligated to report your injury. The less everyone not in this room knows, the better. My lips are sealed.”