Page 61 of Tough Score

"I'd love to," I say. "But can you wait? I promised myself that I would finish Reeve's rehab before I dated anyone."

He nods. "I understand. The patient comes first."

"He meets with Hawkeyes doctor next Thursday, how about after that?"

Jaxson's warm smile goes a long way to make me feel like I'm doing the right thing.

"I have Sunday night off. Does that work?"

I nod, and then I notice Sarah's husband, the anesthesiologist in full Hawkeyes' gear as he walks up and pats Jaxson on the back. "Who let you out of the hospital? Come have a beer with me," he tells Jaxson.

Jaxson turns to look back at me, searching for his answer.

I nod. "It's a date."

It's just after midnight when my uncle tells me I can head back to the apartment, but he makes me wait for him to walk out to my car.

The fans have dwindled, but after the girls left an hour ago, I went to the back to jump on inventory since the next game is supposed to be busier because it will be the weekend.

I grab my jacket and my purse to head out when I see my uncle still processing card payments.

"Just a second, Keely. I just have a couple to finish and then I'll walk you."

"I can do it," I hear Jaxson's voice.

I turn to find that he's still in the bar.

"You're still here? I thought you left?" I ask, pleasantly surprised to see him.

Jaxson tucks his hands in the pockets of his jacket.

"You looked busy with the crowd earlier. I didn't want to get in the way. And it turned out that a few guys from the surgery department were here to watch the game so I stuck around. If you're headed out, I'll walk with you."

"That would be great, thanks." I turn to my uncle who I just now realize is watching us with a steady eye. "Jaxson is going to take me so you don't have to leave Aaron and ——."

"Okay," he says, with a weary tone.

It catches me off guard since he seemed to be a big fan of Jaxson. Or at least a big fan of Jaxson getting me back out on the field.

"I'll text you when I get back to my apartment," I tell my uncle over my shoulder as I round the bar, pulling my own jacket on.

It's a newer puffy down jacket that I bought after realizing that the coat I brought with me from Arizona wasn’t going to keep me warm this winter in Washington, and I can't expect Reeve to be around to give me his hoodie every time it's pouring down rain.

Jaxson leads me out of the bar and soon, the cool Seattle night air nips at my cheeks as we walk along the sidewalk, headed for my car. The street is quiet, with only a few people hurrying by, collars turned up against the chill. It's a clear night tonight, the moon casting a soft glow on the wet pavement, reflecting in puddles left by an earlier rain.

"So, how are you liking Seattle so far?" Jaxson asks, his breath visible in the cold air.

I hug my new jacket closer, grateful for its warmth. Is it weird that I resent it for not smelling like Reeve? Instead, it still has that department store smell mixed with a little bit of me.

"It's different from Arizona, that's for sure. But I'm starting to feel at home here. Did you grow up in Seattle?"

"I actually grew up in Sacramento, California," Jaxson replied. "But I've been in Seattle for about ten years now, since medical school. It feels like home."

He's been out of school for ten years so that makes him four to five years older than me.

"I can see why. There's something charming about it, even with all the rain."

Jaxson chuckles. "Give it some time, and you'll get used to the rain."