Page 62

"And Boston?" I ask.

"His office is working on your summer surgery date. I’m sending him the updated scans so he knows what’s changed."

"What are the chances I’m ready for next season?"

"That depends on what he finds during surgery and how you recover. I know you want a better answer, but I can’t give you one yet."

I look down at my shoulder. "I need it to last through the playoffs."

"Then keep working with Theo and tell us when something changes. Don’t wait until you can’t lift your arm."

"And an injection?"

"We can discuss pain control. It won’t fix the damage."

Then Baylor sends me a picture of my bathroom countertop. Two large bottles of bubble bath, a gold bath bomb, and a book.

Baylor: Is it okay if I use a glitter bath bomb? It might be sparkly for a few days even if I rinse out the tub.

Me: Whatever you want. I rarely use it.

I push my phone back into my pocket, trying to think of anything other than the fact that Baylor Fairbanks is planning to be naked in my bathtub while I’m on a flight out of town.

I look at Hunter across the aisle. He has a large box on his lap, and it looks familiar. Sprinkles is handstamped across the lid. I’ve watched Baylor stamp enough of those boxes to recognize one.

"Did you go to my apartment?" I ask.

"Knocked to get my PS5 controller back. I left it at your place the last time we played. Aleksi brought his console so we can play in his hotel room." He grins.

"And you ended up with cupcakes? How did that happen?"

"Baylor was cool. She said she had extras I could take to the team."

"To the team? Looks like you’re hoarding them. How many did she give you?"

He opens the lid, and I lean across the aisle to look. A dozen. I can barely get a cupcake without a fine from the same woman who walks into my apartment every day, bakes in my kitchen, wears my hoodie, and now has bubble bath contents lined up beside my tub. But Hunter and Rooks get a free-for-all?

He holds out the box. "Want one?"

I take it before he changes his mind, then text Baylor.

Me: You’re feeding the whole team now?

Baylor: I had extras, and he came by to grab something. I thought you guys could use a little sugar rush on the jet.

Me: He offered me one. It was good.

Baylor: Yours is in a box in your bag. With your name on it.

I open the bag beside my feet and find a small box tucked into the side pocket. She must have slipped it in while I was getting my things together. I’d been thinking about my shoulder and the conversation with Kendall. Meanwhile, she’d packed me something for the flight.

Me: Thank you.

Baylor: You’re welcome.

Inside are two cake pops. I close the lid and put the box away until we’re in the air.

I’m getting very used to coming home to her.