Page 58 of Tough Score

My breath hitches when she looks at me with so much happiness in her eyes.

"Thanks!" she says, wrapping her arms up over my neck. I want to pull her closer—Squeeze her tighter, but there will be another time….I hope. "It felt amazing to be back on the field."

"I'd like to come to one of your games sometime if you tell me when it is," I say. "A jersey looks good on you."

Though I wish you were wearing mine.

Her jersey is a spare without a number or a last name on it like everyone else's. And I wonder if one day she'll finally let me put AISA on the back.

"Really?" she asks, her eyes glimmering back at me.

"I'll wear your number with 'Woods' on the back, too," I say.

She rolls her eyes playfully as if I'm messing with her.

"Trading in your Aisa jersey already, Mr. Woods? That might look pretty good on you," she teases.

I lean in a little closer—blocking out the noise between us and all other distractions—my vision locking with hers—I'm close enough to feel his breath against my lips.

"Just show me where to sign on the marriage certificate."

Keely laughs, making my heart skip a beat but that wasn't a joke.

"You like to run before you walk, don't you," she said softly.

"Race you to the courthouse?" I ask because, damn it, it's worth a try.

"Reeve," I hear a booming voice call out.

I look to our left as Dr. Morgan heads straight for us, and the way his eyes cut from me down to the woman I practically just proposed a quickie wedding to has my hands clenching at my side—not a usual reaction from me. I don't think I've ever felt jealous before.

Not until Keely.

His eyes return to me as he squares up, but now, he is focusing on me instead of Keely, like he's back in doctor mode. "You're looking good. How does that knee feel? Is the brace giving you enough support?"

"It feels good. Keely's been doing a good job. I think I'll be back on the ice in a couple of weeks."

Even though you thought my career was over.

But I don't tell him that. I know well enough that doctors can only give you their best guess. They don't hold crystal balls. And recovery is up to the individual. If I had gotten the surgery and sat on the couch for months, then I probably wouldn't have a shot. And technically, it's too early to know for sure.

"She's a good PT, I have no doubt," he says, giving her a brief smile. "Let me know how it goes. I'd like to see you back on the ice and I think I have you on the schedule to go over your scans in a month, right?"

"Here, Keely. The bartender said that this was your drink." One of her female teammates says, handing her a hard apple cider.

"Thanks," she tells her.

She takes a sip and then I turn back to Dr. Morgan.

"Yeah, that's right," I say. "I'm hoping to get cleared in two weeks for practice."

Though the Hawkeyes doctor will clear me for practice, Coach Bex wants a second opinion from Dr. Morgan before I play a game.

"That's only six weeks after surgery."

There's a surprised expression on his face.

"I'll be ready."