Dare To Love Series: A Kissing Dare (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Yvette Hines Page B

wouldn’t miss it.” A smile stretched those thick succulent lips of hers. “It’s my first game, I’m so excited.”
    He shook his head and chuckled at her joy. “Take care, beautiful. Sweet dreams.”
    She blew him a kiss. “You too.”
    Turning off his tablet, he crashed back on the hotel bed and thought about how drab and routine his life had been before Jo’el came into his life with a kiss on a dare. Drifting off to sleep, he couldn’t help but smile.

Chapter Eight
     
    “All right, team listen up.” Coach Carter’s voice boomed around the briefing room at the Thunder Dome. “Last pre-season game is coming up. Now, I don’t want you to be out there tomorrow thinking about whether you’re going to be cut or what string you’ll be on. Play your ass off and get us a win. Every time the ball is in our possession we need to turn it into points on the board.”
    Donovan was listening as he sat in his chair among his sixty-nine team mates. After the last pre-season game eighteen of them wouldn’t be there. He knew he would be, but first or second string he didn’t know. The defensive coach had told Donovan he was doing outstanding, however, words didn’t guarantee a spot. So, he had to play his best come this weekend.
    “Sorry, Coach, for the interruption. We need Tank for a minute.” One of the assistant line coaches glanced from Carter to him.
    Frowning and unsure what was going on, Donovan got up and took the stairs to the assistant.
    “What’s up?” Donovan asked.
    It wasn’t until they were outside the room door with it closed that the man spoke. “We just got a call from Sioux City General, your sister Kylie’s been admitted.”
    Hearing those words made him light-headed, dizzy. He still recalled being a child and seeing how sick his sister had gotten. Not complying with her diabetes regimen she’d done some serious damn to her body. Somethings that still caused her complications to this day.
    “You all right, Tank?”
    “Where’s the phone?” He wanted to yell ‘Hell, no, he wasn’t all right.’ However, he leashed his emotions.
    In a small office, the call was transferred so Tank could have privacy. The attending physician had explained that his sister was very ill and had passed out.  She eventual slipped into a coma.
    “It’s important that you or another family member comes,” The internal medicine doctor said.
    “There is no other family,” Tank forced out. “I’m on my way.” He hung up then picked up the phone again and dialed another number.
    “Jo’el Gifford.” Hearing her voice was like a cool shower raining down on him.
    “My sister’s been admitted to the hospital,” he collapsed on the edge of the desk feeling as if thunder clouds were rolling in over his head making it pound.
    “Oh, Donovan, no. What happened?” her words were filled with true concern.
    “I only have a few of the details. She’s in a coma and I’m leaving on the next flight out.”
    “Of course you are.” She knew what Kylie meant to him. “What do you need from me?”
    “I want you to come with me.” The words tumbled out of his mouth. He’d never asked another woman to go to Iowa. That part of himself and his life he’d kept close to his chest and no other woman before Jo’el had gotten that close to his heart.
    She didn’t even hesitate. “Give me the details of the flight and I’ll meet you at the airport.”
    He let out a sigh and a little of the weight lifted. “Thanks.”
    “None needed. I’m here for you.”
    After they got off the line, Tank went to talk to Coach Carter. Not being able to showcase in the last pre-season game would probably snatch away his chance of getting his first string position back, but he wasn’t concerned with that at the moment.
    ~YH~
    “Mr. Clay, Dr. Malone. We spoke on the phone.” A gray haired man approached Donovan and Jo’el as they entered the ICU floor.
    “Yes, sir, how’s my sister?” He shook the doctor’s hand and