Chapter 26
twenty-six
. . .
Amelia
There’s a protocol for these situations. One of the team’s medical staff has to stay back to monitor and accompany any injured player. Dr. Hudson has privileges at the local hospital, but it isn’t his job to babysit during the trip home or the recovery.
So, when Derek calls Graham and me into his office Jason’s speech, I already know what he’s going to say.
“I’ll do it,” I volunteer. “I’ll stay with—McKittrick.” Shit, I almost called him Jason in front of my boss.
Derek eyes me. “You sure?”
“We’re neighbors. My brother delivers his meals, so I have access to his apartment. I’ll get him back home and situated.”
Not to mention, I’d drive myself nuts with worry, if he was alone—or worse, with Graham.
“Thanks, Amelia,” Derek finally says. “Doc wants to get an MRI, but he thinks McKittrick needs surgery, so it might be a day or two before he’s cleared to fly.”
“Got it. I have it covered,” I say. There’s nobody on my roster who Graham can’t handle, especially for a day or two. After all, there’s a reason two PTs travel with the team.
My boss nods at me. “We’ll handle the rest of the game. Touch base with Vanessa on the protocol.”
Dismissed, I exit the medical bay, and seek out Vanessa, who handles all the logistics. She’s sequestered in an office, typing quickly on her laptop. She looks up when I knock on the doorframe, a backpack already slung across my shoulders.
“I booked a hotel room for each of you tonight, although you probably won’t need them,” she says.
Blowing out a breath, the realization sits heavy in my belly. “Because you think he needs surgery.”
“Just covering my bases,” Van says. “Call me or text the results of the MRI. Once he’s cleared to fly, I’ll coordinate the charter.”
“It might be a few days, if he needs surgery.”
“We’ll take it one day at a time. I already have Robby pulling both your suitcases from the bus, and they’ll be delivered to your hotel rooms.” She sighs. “This sucks. It never gets easier.”
“He’ll be okay.” I don’t know if I’m trying to reassure her or myself. “He has to be.”
She hands me a sheaf of papers. Insurance information, injury protocol, hotel reservations… everything I need is in this packet. I stuff it into my backpack.
Vanessa’s phone buzzes, and she checks the screen. “Okay. Your car is here. The hospital is four miles away.”
Giving her a nod, I head for the tunnels, jogging to the gate. Security nods at me when I pass by, a team badge swinging from my neck.
The drive to the hospital takes for-fucking-ever. Finally, we pull into the emergency room, and I hurry to the reception desk.
“I’m with the Boston Grizzlies. I’m here for Jason McKittrick.” I show her my team badge and employee ID. “Dr. Hudson is expecting me.”
The nurse hums, not looking impressed. “Who’s that?”
“He’s your VIP patient. He was probably rushed straight for an MRI.” I hold up my employee ID. “I’m his patient advocate. I’ll fill out his insurance information, but first I need to see him.”
She finally nods, handing over a visitor’s badge. “Second floor.”
“Thank you!” I take the badge and jog down the hallway.
The nurses at the second station are moderately more helpful. Jason is in for the MRI now, and Dr. Hudson is outside the radiology booth, wearing hospital scrubs.
“Ah, Amelia,” he says, with a wide smile. “I didn’t think I’d see you here.”
“Derek sent me.”
His blue eyes twinkle. “Yes, I suppose he did.”
“What do you need from me?”
“He’ll be out in a little while, and then the radiologist and I will review the scans.” Doc sighs. “If it’s what I expect, he’ll be wheeled upstairs for surgery.”
“You’ll do it tonight? He won’t have to wait for swelling to go down?”
“I won’t know until I see it again, but there appeared to be minimal swelling.” He shakes his head. “Such a shame. It’s probably the end of his career.”
My stomach drops. “Are you sure?”
“He’s thirty-seven. There are only six weeks left of the season. And he’s in the last year of his contract.”
“No team will want to touch him,” I say slowly, putting the pieces together.
Fuck. Who will tell him? Will it be better or worse for it to come from me? Will he always blame me for delivering the news? Maybe it will be better to hear it from a neutral party…
Doc nods, remorse all over his face. “Such a shame to go out this way.”
The door to radiology opens, and an orderly wheels Jason out in a chair.
“Now, I’ll review the scans,” Doc announces to both of us. “Hang out in the ER for a bit, and then we’ll figure out where to go from there.”
Jason nods, a muscle clenching in his jaw.
Shit. How much did he overhear?
“Right this way, ma’am,” the orderly says, jerking his head. I fall into step beside him as he leads us down the hallway, into the elevator, and back to the ER. We’re shown to a private room—reserved for VIP patients, no doubt—and finally, finally, we’re alone.
Jason clears his throat. “Thank you for being here.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” Crossing the room, I reach for his hand, taking it in my own. “How are you doing?”
He scowls. “How do you think I’m doing?”
“Hey, I’m just asking,” I say, with forced lightness. “Are you in pain? Do you need more meds?”
There’s an IV attached to his left hand, a bag of saline slowly dripping into his system. He didn’t shower after the game, so he smells a bit ripe, but it’s nothing I can’t deal with. I run my hand through his sweaty hair, pushing it off his face.
“You can talk to me.”
“I can’t, though,” he bites out. “How do I know what you’ll report back to Derek and Coach?”
It’s my turn to scowl. “I won’t tell them anything you don’t want me to. I may be here as your patient advocate, but I only volunteered because it’s you. I couldn’t bear the thought of you being here by yourself—or worse, with Graham.”
Jason’s eyes soften. “I’m sorry. I’m not feeling great.”
“I don’t blame you. It’s a lot to deal with.” I cup his cheek. “I’m here for you. Whatever you need, babe.”
Bending down, I kiss him lightly, trying to reassure him.
He squeezes my hand, so tight it almost hurts, when he kisses me back. It’s as electric as ever, even if he’s wearing a hospital gown. I just had him twelve hours ago, but it already feels like twelve years since the last time.
The door snicks open, and we snap apart. I hurry to the other side of the small room.
Dr. Hudson raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t comment on my red face or Jason’s labored breathing.
“Well, son,” he says, and Jason blows out a breath.
“It’s official?” Pain laces his voice.
“Achilles tendon rupture,” Doc says. “We’ll get you prepped for surgery. You’re being admitted. It may be a couple of hours before we can get into the O.R.”
“But it’s happening tonight?” I ask.
He nods. “Before dawn, that’s for sure. I’ll be assisted by Dr. Iglesias. She’s the best ortho doc in Dallas. She’ll handle your aftercare while I meet the team in St. Louis. Two days, maybe three, and then we’ll get you home.”
“Thanks,” Jason says tightly.
“Son, you stink. We’ll have a nurse come by to give you a sponge bath,” he adds. “Unless you’d rather do it yourself, Amelia?” He winks at me.
Crap. So, he definitely saw us. Will he tell the rest of the team? Will he tell management? Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I choke out a strained laugh. “A nurse should be fine. Thanks for offering.”
Doc hums, clearly amused. “I’ll see you in the operating room, Jason. Amelia, I’ll find you after. Once we’re in there, it shouldn’t take more than an hour or two.”
“Thanks, Doc.”
He leaves us alone again, and I turn to Jason.
“What are you thinking?”
He blows out a breath. “I’m glad you’re here,” he says quietly. His rich brown eyes meet mine. “I’m glad it’s you.”
“I wish it wasn’t you,” I admit. “When you went down…”
It was one of the scariest moments of my life. He didn’t get up. It took him a long time to get back up, and then when he limped off the ice? My heart was in my throat. I could hardly concentrate on the rest of the period, my only thought the man in front of me now.
Jason shakes his head. “We can’t think about that.” He reaches out his hand and I take it, his strong fingers curling around mine. “We just have to get through tonight.”
“Are you worried? About the surgery?”
“Not any more than I was the last time.” He sighs. “First time I’ve had an Achilles issue, though. Usually it’s my knee that’s being operated on.”
“Is there anyone I can call for you?”
“I should probably tell my mother. She was blowing up my phone earlier.” He looks around the room. “I don’t even know where it is.”
“I’ll check in with the nurse. Do you need anything else?”
He reaches for me, drawing me close until I’m practically leaning on the cot he’s lying on. “Don’t go. Not now.”
“I won’t leave you,” I promise.