Shane reached out and gripped Scotty’s shoulder so tightly it had to hurt but he couldn’t relax his grip or let go.

He cleared his throat. “We’re taking bets on how quickly you’ll be back on the team.”

Scotty’s eyes crinkled at the corners and then filled with calm purpose, silently telling Shane humor wouldn’t save either of them this time. “We both know I’m not gonna make it.”

Pain scraped its way across Shane’s exposed heart. “That’s bullshit. You’re gonna be fine.”

The medic flashed him a glance as he desperately tried to insert an IV.

“Tell Grace I love her. And the kids.” Tears filled Scotty’s eyes and Shane suddenly couldn’t see for shit as his own vision blurred.

“Tell her yourself.”

Scotty started coughing and Shane froze at the rattle in the sound.

When the guy finally hauled in a wheezing breath he said starkly, “I’m not stupid, Shane. My body’s fucked.”

A wave of determination crashed over Shane. “Don’t you dare give up on me. The medics have got you. We’ll be at a trauma center in a couple minutes tops. They’ll fix you up. Just hang on, buddy.”

Scotty’s gaze locked onto his. “Tell Grace I love her. I will always love her. And Jake and Katie and the baby. Watch out for her and help her out with the kids when you can. Tell her…” The grief etched onto his friend’s face killed him. “Tell her to move on when she’s ready. She deserves to be loved, even if it can’t be by me.”

Shane couldn’t speak. This was not happening.

“And kiss the baby for me.” Scotty’s gaze was fading away. “And catch this evil motherfucker and roast him alive.”

The EKG was going crazy on the monitor.

Shane turned to stare at the anguished-looking EMT. “Do something.”

The man grabbed the defibrillator pads and attached them to Scotty’s chest.

Shane removed his hands as the electricity jolted through his best friend’s body.

Nothing.

The medic braced himself as the ambulance took a sharp turn. “Clear.”

The machine shocked Scotty again and Shane held his breath. Nothing.

“Should we try compressions?” Shane asked, more desperate than he’d ever been in his life.

The medic’s eyes trailed to the blood soaking the gurney. “He’s lost too much blood.”

Shane snarled. “I’ll do it.”

He pressed down on Scotty’s chest with his good hand as the medic used a device to blow air into Scotty’s lungs—but his friend’s chest didn’t inflate. His heart didn’t miraculously restart.

As they pulled up outside the hospital, Shane followed Scotty as he was wheeled into a cubicle where more doctors frantically worked on his best friend. Shane knew it was hopeless when they kept shooting him glances filled with abject pity.

But miracles happened…