Shay appreciated Josh’s offer, she really did, but she wasn’t going to hold him to it. Just knowing he was willing to let her have a place to get on her feet gave a tremendous boost to her confidence. And who knew? Maybe there could be more between them. She already knew how she felt about him. And he’d kissed her twice, so he must have feelings for her.

Hope blossomed within her, and despite the accident, she was glad she’d chosen to get on that ATV.

A few minutes later the doctor came by. Josh excused himself, and after the doctor checked her over, he told her she was free to go. Happy to hear that, when she thought about paying all the bills—the ambulance, the doctor’s fees, the costs of the tests they’d done—fresh anxiety wrapped around her.

She had no money and no way to get her hands on some anytime soon. Her agreement with Josh just covered room and board. He’d never offered any cash. What was she going to do?

“Hey,” Josh said as he came back into the room. “The doc gave you a clean bill of health?”

“Yeah.” Shay could feel her forehead furrowing, but she couldn’t seem to stop it. Climbing off of the bed, she wondered if she could set up a payment plan with the hospital.

“What’s wrong?” Josh asked. “You look worried.”

Throwing him a smile, she shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. You’re too easy to read, Shay.”

All the stress of the day caught up with her and tears threatened. Breathing slow and deep to get her emotions under control, she turned away from Josh to pick up her purse.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Josh said. “If the doc said you’re okay, then we’ll get out of here and you can put this behind you.”

Shay had yet to turn around, embarrassed by her pitiful circumstances.

“Look at me,” Josh demanded.

Squeezing her eyes closed, Shay gathered herself, then opened her eyes and turned around, a fake smile plastered to her mouth.

“You’re hiding something from me,” he said.

His eyes were locked on her face and she felt as if he was looking into her soul.

“What’s going on?” he asked. “Did Will contact you?”

Will. She’d almost forgotten about her ex and his promise to find her. Something else to be anxious about. Her phone was still off and she didn’t want to turn it on to see if he’d texted her again.

She shook her head. “I don’t know. I haven’t checked.”

Josh dipped his chin, his eyes never leaving hers. “Then what is it? Tell me.”

Shoulders drooping, she sighed. “I just…I don’t have the money to pay for this.” Sweeping her arms around to indicate the space they were in, she sighed again as her gaze fell to the floor.

“Oh, Shay,” he said, then he lifted her chin with one finger until she was forced to meet his eyes. “I’ve already taken care of that.” He released her chin, but she kept looking at him.

Though grateful for his generosity, she didn’t like being in his debt. First he’d bought her clothes and let her come to his house, then he’d crashed on his ATV and got injured because of her, and now he was paying her medical bills. It was too much.

“I’ll pay you back,” she said.

“No, you won’t. I was the one driving, so it’s my responsibility.”

She wasn’t in a position to argue, but she also didn’t need to agree. Instead, she just stared at him, her attraction to him deepening. And when she thought about the kisses they’d shared, it took all of her self-control to not throw her arms around him. Whether that would be in gratitude or because she just liked the feel of his arms around her, she wasn’t sure.

Moments later a man poked his head into the room.

“Sorry to interrupt,” he said.

Shay could tell he was trying to speak quietly, but his voice was too deep to be quiet. Josh turned, and when he saw him he gestured for him to come in. The man was a couple of inches taller than Josh—who was six foot two—and bigger all around. With thick brown hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and soulful brown eyes, he reminded Shay of a giant teddy bear.

Was this guy one of Josh’s teammates? Josh had said a buddy was coming, but he hadn’t been more specific than that.

Maybe Josh really was in the NFL. Then again, at this point he had no reason to lie to her.

Though it seemed unbelievable that a famous athlete would be helping her, she tried not to think about that, and instead focused on the man she’d gotten to know—the generous, thoughtful man. The man she was attracted to beyond all reason.

“Shay,” Josh said, “this is Brock Remington. Brock, Shay Campbell.”

Brock extended his massive hand to Shay, and when she took it, her hand was completely enveloped in his.

“Nice to meet you,” he said.

“Same here.” He released her hand and she smiled at him.

* * *

It was obvious to Josh that Shay wasn’t comfortable with him paying her medical expenses, but he knew she had no money. And he had plenty. Glad he could help her out, he hoped she wouldn’t bring it up again.

“Ready to go?” Brock asked.

Josh looked at Shay, his eyebrows raised in question.

“Sure,” she said.

“Looks like it,” Josh said, then the three of them left the room and walked into the ER waiting area, then out of the hospital.

They’d barely stepped out of the door when a man began taking photos of all three of them. Irritated that the media had already gotten wind of his injury, Josh scowled. His agent had said he wouldn’t give out the press release until later that day, but Josh knew with social media nothing could be kept under wraps for long. Most likely when he’d arrived someone had recognized him and tweeted about it, and the fact that Josh Wisner had shown up at the hospital in an ambulance had gone viral.

Used to the attention, Josh ignored the reporter.

“Josh,” the reporter called to him. “How serious is your injury?”

Josh continued to ignore the man, putting his arm around Shay to steer her away from him.

“How did you get hurt?” the reporter shouted as they moved farther away. “Is it going to impact this season?”

That was the million dollar question, and one that he wasn’t ready to think about.

* * *

Shay had been startled when the man had shouted at them and taken their picture, but with Josh’s arm around her, she felt safe. The questions the man asked only confirmed what Josh had told her and she knew he’d been telling the truth about his job.

Glancing at Josh out of the corner of her eye, she wondered why he’d bothered with her, a girl he didn’t know who had broken into his house. But she knew why. That’s the kind of man he was. Another reason she was falling so hard for him.

“Here’s my ride,” Brock said.

They’d stopped next to a tricked-out silver Land Rover.

“Do you want to sit up front?” Josh asked her.

She was a lot smaller than him, so she figured he’d be more comfortable up front. Plus with his injured shoulder it would be better for him to have more room.

“No. The back is fine.”

Josh twisted around to open the door with his left hand, and Shay felt a burst of guilt that he couldn’t use his right hand because of her. Trying not to think about that, she climbed in back.

As they drove to wherever it was they were going, Shay stayed quiet, lost in thought as she replayed the day over and over in her mind.