Bear Meets Girl
Page 78

She nodded, and headed back to the room with the teams. Keep your phone on. Im sure there will be meetings tomorrow. I may need you to attend.
Crush followed her into the room, but he stopped in the doorway, taking a quick scan. He walked over to Smiths side. Wheres Malone?
She looked around, then shook her head. Dont know. She was just here.
Cella sat on the bench down the street from the police departments building and rubbed her knee. It had swollen up to the size of a softball and the pain was something she didnt even want to think about. She knew she could have stayed inside, but when dealing with this much pain, she let instinct take over. And being wounded around a bunch of predators was just not something she was willing to do.
So, instead, she sat on this bench and waited for the pain to pass. It had to pass, right? It had to.
Cella closed her eyes and again wondered how much longer she could keep this up. She had a game coming and practices before that. She knew that icing her knee would definitely help, but would it swell up like this again?
She could ask Jai for help, but she knew that would go badly since her friend would push for surgery again. Knee replacement, which meant Cellas career would be over. So going home tonight? No way. Hotel. She needed a hotel.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to stand, but immediately sat back down hard, a small squeal of pain going out over the cold night air.
Are you all right? a male voice asked. A kind male voice. But all Cella knew was that a stranger was near her while she was wounded and the beast inside her took over, her roar ripping through the night, her claws unleashing. She was up on her good leg, her arms swinging out to tear the man in front of her apart. To destroy the threat. But an arm wrapped around her, yanking her back.
Sorry, she heard another voice say. Sorry. She went off her meds. Im getting her back to the hospital.
You sure you dont need some help? Maybe I should call nine-one-one.
No, Ive got her. But thanks.
Cella felt the threat move away, leaving her alone with the bear. Why she didnt see him as a threat, too, she didnt know.
Ill take you home.
No, she told Crush, pushing on his arms until he carefully lowered her to the ground. No. I cant go home. Not like this.
You talking about your knee? Or your face?
She winced. That bad?
Your face isnt that bad, but Meghan will notice. And your knee ...
Cella shook her head. She couldnt let Jai see her knee and she definitely couldnt let her kid see her face. It was one thing when Cella got a few bruises during a good ol family bare-knucklefight or during a hockey game. But Meg always freaked out when she saw her mothers face and knew shed been working.
Can you take me to your place? she asked him. Please.
Its probably not safe there.
I dare somebody to come at both of us tonight.
Okay.
Crush went to her and started to put his arms around her.
I can walk, Crushek.
Bullshit. And youve got a game coming up. I cant risk the Marauders enforcer, now can I?
Its always about him, isnt it?
Pretty much. Now come on. Im tired and hungry.
He slipped his arms behind her back and under her legs, carefully lifting her so he didnt do much to her left leg.
Thanks, Cella said before he could get moving.
For what? Isnt this what pretend boyfriends do?
Laughing, she put her head on his shoulder. Excellent point.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Crush pulled into his driveway and turned off the engine. He reached for the door, but stopped and warned, Do not move until I come get you.
I wasnt.
He smirked at her. Liar.
All right. Fine. Ill wait.
God, the woman was impatient, but considering how much pain Crush was guessing she was in, she wasnt much of a complainer.
Walking around to the passenger side of his truck, Crush pulled open the door and lifted Cella out. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. Thanks for this. And for earlier.
No problem. You hungry? He kicked the truck door closed and headed to his porch.
I could eat.
Hope spaghettis okay. I only really know how to make spaghetti. And whale blubber, but I figured youd rather the spaghetti instead.
She chuckled. Spaghettis fine. Although its called pasta now.
Im old school. Its called spaghetti.
Still holding Cella in his arms, Crush managed to unlock his metal screen door. He held it open with his foot and juggled his keys until he found the one for the front door, unlocking it and stepping inside.
Crush walked through his house until he reached the kitchen. He placed Cella on top of his kitchen table, then flicked the light on. Lets get you some ice for that knee.
Okay.
Crush went to his freezer, where he kept his seal and walrus blubber, and grabbed a couple of ice packs. He turned to walk back over, but stopped. And stared.
Where, exactly, are your pants? he asked.