WMIS 03 Play With Me by Kristen Proby Read Free Book Online

disappointed in not only the loss
of his fun and carefree tone, but that I won’t see him all weekend. “Are you
going to watch the game on Sunday?” he asks, his tone softened.
    “Is
it a morning or afternoon game?” I ask.
    “Afternoon.”
    “Yeah,
I usually watch the games with the kids. I’ll be watching in between work
stuff.”
    “Okay,
pay attention at half-time. I’ll make sure I’m on camera as we head off the
field, and I’ll say hi.”
    “Seriously?”
    “Yep,
watch for me.”
    “Okay.
Have a safe trip.”
    “ You be safe, sweetheart. I’ll text you when I can.”
    “Okay,
bye.”
    “Later.”
    And
he’s gone.
     
    * *
*
     
    “NO
NO NO!!” Nick exclaims from his position on the leather couch in the lounge on
Sunday afternoon. There are roughly a dozen patients, parents, a few staff on
their breaks, all with their eyes glued to the enormous television watching the
football game.
    The
kids are wearing the team gear that the guys gave them last week. Will had a
spread of food delivered around noon of sandwiches, chips, popcorn and soda.
    What
is it with this man and food?
    So
everyone is munching and enjoying the game. Instead of a hospital lounge, it
looks like someone’s living room during the Super Bowl.
    The
kids love the sense of normalcy, and I can’t wait to thank Will for it.
    Everyone
groans as Will is tackled on the field and I hold my breath until he gets back
up and walks steadily to his teammates.
    Dear
God, I can’t watch him get tackled again. How does he not get hurt?
    The
first half of the game comes to an end, and Will’s team is winning, twenty-one
to seven.
    My
eyes are glued to the television, watching intently for my message from Will,
and sure enough, right before they go to commercial, he’s on the screen. His
hair is wet with sweat and plastered to his forehead, face is dirty, and he’s
breathing hard from exertion, but he grins at the camera and taps his nose with
his forefinger, then points to the camera and mouths, “miss you.”
    Well,
shit, he’s sweet.
    Without
over-thinking it, I pull my phone out and text him.
    Miss
you, too, football star.
     
    * *
*
     
    “Miss
McBride?”
    “Yeah.”
I croak and stare at the man through blurry eyes. He’s standing on my porch, in
a uniform of some kind, holding a clipboard. I run my hand through my hair and
frown. “What time is it?”
    “Ten
in the morning, ma’am.”
    Fuck,
it’s early.
    “What’s
up?” I ask and wish for coffee.
    “I’m
Doug from Home Security Systems. I have a work order to install a system in
your home.” He smiles politely and I scowl.
    “I
didn’t order you.”
    “I
know, Mr. Montgomery did.”
    “How
do you know?” I ask.
    “Because
I own the company, ma’am. He asked me to do it personally.”
    I
sigh deeply and lean my forehead against the door. I guess there’s no getting
out of this.
    “How
long will it take?” I ask, resigned to letting it happen.
    “Most
of the day. This is a full system.”
    “How
much is my monthly bill going to be?” I ask and juggle some things around in my
head. I could disconnect the cable.
    “It’s
been paid in full for the next year,” he replies as he makes notes on his
clipboard.
    “Seriously?”
    “Yep.
Can I get started?”
    “Go
ahead. I’ll be in the shower, but then I’ll be around if you have questions.”
    “That’s
fine, I’ll start outside anyway.”
    I
trudge back to my bedroom and flop down on the bed. I grab my phone and dial
Will’s number.
    “Hey,
gorgeous,” he whispers.
    “Why
are you whispering?” I whisper back.
    “Because
we’re watching tape from yesterday’s game. Why are you whispering?” I hear the
smile in his voice and it makes me grin.
    “Because
you’re whispering.”
    “Did
the alarm guy show up?”
    “Yes,
control freak, he did.”
    Will
chuckles softly. “Good. I trust him, he’s done all of my family’s homes and
businesses.”
    “Okay.
Did you have to send him so