That’s why I’m hanging by a thread. When we told his parents, all I could see were Seth and Maria’s faces.”
My breath disappears, thinking of my parents for all those months. It was brutal to watch them so helpless while Nick fought his battle.
“Bizzy…”
“I’ve gotten stronger, promise. Nurse Evie helps me every day. Her strength is my guiding light, but today, something broke. That’s why I’m here. I couldn’t go to Nicky.”
Her statement doesn’t offend me at all. She typically doesn’t go to anyone but me when something happens at work. Usually, Mathis will find out because he’s doing his residency at the same hospital.
“No need to explain. I’ll always have time for my girl. You know this.”
She gives me a weak grin and face plants back into my chest. “I owe you another shirt. This one is now soaked in snot and tears.”
“That’s why I keep a selection of clean ones here,” I try to joke.
“Gross. I’m gross.” She giggles through a hiccup.
“You’re beautiful.” I lift her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Always beautiful.”
She blushes every time I tell her this, which makes it even more true. If possible, I’d take every ounce of hurt from her life.
“Why don’t you let me take you home? I’ll grab us something to eat, and we’ll chill tonight.”
“I can’t. Claire and I are going to Grady’s house to help them get settled and bring him some things.”
“Like what?”
“I guess all my Nick Bennett memorabilia. He knows we’re friends and was really bummed when he missed Nicky’s last visit to the hospital. So I’m taking them. I’d ask Nicky to visit, but it’s too raw. The resemblance is too strong. Young boy, two brothers, football player, cute and goofy, yet so kind and sweet… He’s almost an exact doppelganger.”
I scrunch my eyes in confusion at her term.
“Doppelganger is almost like a twin,” she clarifies.
I nod in understanding and take my cell out of my pocket. Gail answers on the first ring, and I give her a list of things to grab from our stock for Grady.
When I hang up, Bizzy stares at me, her ice blue eyes shining again with tears. She surprises me by fisting my shirt and laying a soft, sweet kiss directly on my lips.
“I love you, Shaw Bennett. Thank you,” she whispers against my mouth.
My heart swells, and every nerve in my body lights on fire.
In this instant, my life changes.
Chapter 2
Bizzy
“No, Claire, I’m not going on any more of your blind dates. Why the hell did you join a speed-dating club and dating site, only to push me to these guys?” I switch the phone to speaker so I can finish getting dressed.
“Because they may not be right for me, but you may hit it off. Let me at least send you his profile info.” My best friend pleads the same argument we have each time she tries to set me up. After last week’s debacle, I’m done.
“I’m pretty sure you’re going to shrivel up if you don’t get action soon.”
“Claire!”
“Seriously, you should thank me. I’m looking out for your poor vagina. That thing needs action that’s not silicone induced.”
“I hate you. Tell me again why we’re even friends?”
“Because one look at you in Nursing School and I decided you deserved Claire Dixon in your life. There are some things even your precious boys can’t get you through.”
“Right now, I’m leaning toward my boys. Seriously, he wore a suit to a beach bar. I can appreciate a man in a suit, but it was so formal. No more.”
“Bet if Crenshaw wore a suit to a beach bar, your ovaries would explode.”
She’s the only person in the world I’ve confided in about my feelings for Shaw, and it’s comments like this that make me regret telling her.
“Jesus, I’m hanging up the phone. You’re annoying. Thank God tonight will bring me back into normal territory.”
“The boys, the boys, the boys,” she sings. “You are one lucky bitch. Do you know how many women would kill to be in your shoes? A lawyer, a doctor, and an NFL player—all rich, gorgeous, and successful. Not to mention, all wrapped around your finger.”
“I am a lucky bitch, but they’re not wrapped around my finger. They can be handfuls.”
“Is tonight monthly dinner night?”
We started the tradition of monthly dinners three years ago when the NFL drafted Nicky to play in Miami. At the time, I was a nervous wreck because rumor was Texas wanted Nicolas Bennett and was coming after him. But