Chapter Fourteen

Keely

I wave goodbye to the recycling company truck driver as he gets in his truck after he and I loaded all of the beer bottles while my uncle went through the weekly order with the sales rep.

I step inside the bar when I'm done, wiping my hands down with a damp bar towel, the smell of bleach and wood polish mingling in the air. It's just before rush hour— a little later than I've been staying, but Reeve had mentioned he was headed to the Stadium, and the broom closet could use some serious attention.

Turning in the direction of the broom closet, I suddenly bump into someone. My heart races at the unexpected contact. "Oh, excuse me," I say, glancing up to find a familiar pair of dark blue eyes.

"Keely," Dr. Morgan says, the recognition flashing across his face.

My breath hitches for a moment as the memory crashes into me—early mornings in the sterile chaos of the hospital, the urgency of Reeve's situation, and Dr. Morgan, clad in surgical garb. I hadn't expected to ever see him again… but here he is, in the flesh. Now, standing before me, he's transformed into an image of relaxed confidence, sporting soccer shorts and a Tornados jersey that clings to his form.

"Dr. Morgan?" I ask, half-amazed, half-humbled. I can't help but smile, dispelling some of my earlier anxiety.

"Jaxson," he corrects gently, a matching grin making his features even more inviting. "I'm off the clock now. How about you?"

"I just finished the recycling, and now I am going to reorganize the broom closet before I head back to check on Reeve," I say, assuming he is here to discuss his patient.

"How is Reeve doing? I talked to the Hawkeyes doc yesterday, and he said that he seems to be healing nicely," Jaxson says, crossing his arms over his chest and his biceps and forearms flexing when he does.

The sound of approaching footsteps pulls me from their moment, and another familiar voice breaks through our conversation.

"Look at that. Just the man I wanted to introduce you to," my uncle says. "This is Jaxson, the one I told you about who runs the city league team."

"You're Jaxson, the soccer player my uncle wanted me to meet?" I ask.

This city can't be that small, can it?

Jaxson's dark blue eyes and warm smile radiate from him. "I believe so… last time I checked anyway. I was wondering if I'd ever get to meet you outside of the hospital after Reeve's surgery. You weren't here last week."

"Wait, you knew at the hospital that I was Oakley's niece when we met in the ICU waiting room?"

He nods. "Yeah… Well, how many people have the name Keely? And then, when Coach Bex mentioned the cameras outside of Oakley's catching the car, I put it together, but it didn't seem like the appropriate time to bring it up at the hospital. I figured I would catch up with you last week, but you weren't here on Tuesday."

"This is actually one of the first days I've been back at it. I've been working to get Reeve in a good place to start rehab so I haven't been working here much."

He nods in understanding. "So, your uncle says that you used to play soccer?"

"I used to, and then I got injured right before high school. Then college became a full-time job and I just never found the time to jump back in."

"I remember those days in medical school well. It becomes etched in your psyche forever," he says.

"You're right, it does."

We both laugh, and I feel the tension in my shoulders easing. There's something about Jaxson not being in his scrubs and being in serious surgeon mode that makes him almost feel like a different person. But I like it.

Jaxson's eyebrows raise slightly. "I'm here with a group from the team that I captain if you're interested in joining us for a drink?"

I hesitate, tempted by the offer.

"Thanks, but I've got a project to finish up. And I need to grab dinner for Reeve on my way home."

"No problem," he says easily. "But if you ever want to come check out the team, you're more than welcome. We could always use more players—or fans."

"I'll keep that in mind," I reply, surprised to find that I mean it. "Thanks, Jaxson."

As we part ways, I can't help but think that maybe I should give the soccer league a try. It could be fun, a chance to meet new people outside of work.

And if I'm being honest with myself, Dr. Morgan—Jaxson—is even more attractive than I remember from our brief encounter at the hospital. His easy smile and the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he laughs... I shake my head, pushing the thought aside. I've got enough on my plate without adding complicated feelings to the mix.

As I enter the apartment, the savory aroma of Thai food wafts through the air. Reeve's head pops up from behind the couch and his face lights up at the sight of the takeout bags.

I set them on the coffee table in front of him, but he's already up with one crutch under his arm and heading for the kitchen.

"You're a lifesaver," he calls out over his shoulder. "It smells so good. I'll grab the plates and the forks. Do you want something to drink?"

"You don't need to get it all by yourself. I can help," I tell him.

"You brought the food home, and you've been on your feet all day; I got it."

He's right. I have been on my feet all day, and they are starting to hurt.

"Okay, thanks," I say and then settle onto the couch. I grab the remote and navigate to the documentary we've been watching. "Ready for another episode?"

"Queue it up, I'll be right there," he says.

It's not long before Reeve and I are sitting on the couch together, stuffing our faces and watching a documentary on the most poisonous creatures in the world, and now I'm not sure how I'll sleep tonight without checking my bed for venomous scorpions and centipedes. Which is silly since the Northwest has very little of those kinds of creatures and none of them are even close to as venomous as the ones on the show… I know because I did a quick internet search when Reeve wasn't looking.

Once our show finishes and our to-go containers are all cleared, I bring up the soccer league.

"Dr. Morgan came into the bar today," I say casually.

"He did? To talk to you about me?" he asks.

"No, he's the captain of a soccer city league and told me I should consider joining."

Reeve's eyes light up at the idea. "You should. I think that's a great idea."

"I just haven't played in a while. What if I'm not any good anymore?"

"Come on, Keely," Reeve encourages, nudging my shoulder. "You won't know unless you try. Just go down and check it out next week. What's the harm in that?"

I consider his words, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Maybe you're right. It could be fun to get back into it."

Reeve grins. "See, you're fitting in around here already."

As I head down the hall from Reeve's apartment to mine, I'm already warming to the idea of playing again. Maybe it is time to step out of my comfort zone a little and do something for myself for once.