Chapter Twenty-Four
ETHAN
Idon’t have to look around to know we’re all dragging ourselves off the ice. The sting of the loss in every step as we move across the carpeted hall and into the locker room. The game should’ve been ours. We were a tangled mess, fight after fight. There were more punches thrown than pucks.
We couldn’t even finish strong. I zone out to the smell of sweat and disappointment.
It’s quieter than ever and I don’t know if it’s the bruised pride, shattered egos, or utter defeat.
The locker room is entirely too silent. The coach doesn’t even say a word.
His eyes scan the room, meet everyone’s eyes, one by one.
I assume a pep talk or talking to will come. Maybe he’ll scream at us. Nothing, none of our coaches say a thing. They don’t need to at this point, the weight of his stare doing enough.
I strip out of my gear and shove everything into my bag.
The entire team clearing out faster than normal, eager to escape and call it a night.
Though, I suspect most of them will end up at the hotel bar until they close it out.
Our flight tomorrow will be interesting if they all have as big of a hangover as I suspect they might end up with.
My mind replays the game on the ride to the hotel. Stuck in a loop of would’ve, could’ve, and should’ve. I’m about to enter the lobby when I catch Andrew standing at the entrance, staring at his phone. His gaze is off, intense.
His eyes met mine for a minute before walking up to coach. Something is off. I watch as the coach listens, his face unreadable. Then, he glances at me, nods once. Andrew walks over towards me.
“There’s been an accident.” His voice sounds strained.
My stomach drops. “What kind of accident?”
He hesitates for a second, like he’s trying to figure out if he can even say the words. “It’s Daisy. We have to go.”
I’m moving before the words fully register, following Andrew as he makes arrangements to get us a flight out tonight.
*****
The flight felt like it took years, my thoughts racing with every passing moment. My leg feels like it’s going to shake right off my body with the way I can’t sit still. I just need to get to her.
By the time we land, I’m sure I look as disheveled as I feel. We barely grab our bags before Andrew’s dad is there to pick us up.
The hospital is eerily cold. As if my bones can feel it as soon as we walk through the automatic doors.
The sterile smell, hushed voices, and low hum of machines making me irritated.
I want to scream or break something—I can’t.
I can’t do anything when I’m so focused on finding out how she’s doing and terrified of what’s going on.
Beau explains in a lowered voice how the accident was caused by a drunk driver. It happened at an intersection and multiple vehicles were involved. My heart pounds in my chest.
“What about her mom?” I ask. Surely, she’s trying to catch a flight back here. I know she was supposed to stay in Ireland another week.
“Her mom’s looking to catch the first available flight.” Beau nods.
I tug at the collar of my t-shirt, as if it’s suffocating me. I can’t quiet the rushing thoughts. I just want to be with her.
As we walk into the waiting room, I notice the rest of Daisy’s family sitting around and quietly talking. The doctor steps in shortly after and everyone is quick to stand and approach him.
“She’s stable,” the doctor begins, “but she’s lost a lot of blood. She’s not out of the woods yet, but she’s young and healthy.”
“What can we do?” Lily speaks up.
“If you think it will help, pray.” The doctor walks out of the room.
I replay every word in my head. Stable. Blood Loss. Critical Condition. Fuck, I almost lost her. I run my hand through my hair. Everyone takes a seat, but I find myself unable to. I can’t sit still, so I pace.
“Son,” Wyatt walks up to me. “Let’s go for a walk, I could use some coffee.”
I give him a nod and walk by his side down the hall.
“Our Daisy is a fighter and stubborn. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you,” he tries to reassure me. “She’ll be alright, I have no doubt in my mind. She’s too stubborn, like her father.” He chuckles.
It’s enough to have the corner of my mouth lift into a half smile. “I can’t lose her. I love her. She’s my everything, sir.”
He nods as we reach the coffee machine. “I know. She’ll pull through. In the meantime, was there something you’ve been meaning to ask me?”
I know what he’s hinting at. I nearly went to his house the day before we left for the game to ask him. It feels weird knowing she’s lying in the hospital bed right now.
“Life is too short. She needs you, just like you need her.”
I swallow. The ring is currently hiding in her room and she doesn’t know it.
It’s hiding at the top of her bookshelf where she can’t reach.
I wanted to make sure it was available when the perfect moment came up.
With the way I’ve been spending every moment when I’m not at the rink at her house, I knew it would happen there.
“Would—”
“Yes!” He interrupts me. “Welcome to the family.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t even get to finish asking for your permission.”
“Would it have mattered if I said no?” His brow arched.
“No, sir. She’s my soul mate. I wouldn’t have given up trying to get your approval after, though.”
As we walk back to the waiting room the nurse is telling everyone that visiting hours are over. I can’t leave though. I need to be by her side. I have to remain available and here.
Daisy’s grandfather steps up, his voice calm but firm.
“You’ve got two options here, sweetheart.
First, the entire family annoys all of your nurses all night for updates while we all remain here in this waiting room.
Or second, you let her fiancé stay at her bedside where he promises to stay out of the way and quietly keep us informed so y’all don’t have to put up with all of us. ”
The nurse hesitates before nodding. “Just one.” She sighs.
I know it’s only because of him that I’m staying. Everyone leaves after I promise to send them any updates, although they don’t expect any until the morning. The nurse quietly escorts me to her room.
I hesitate for a second in the doorway before approaching her bedside. Her small body looks even smaller, frailer. She’s got a bandage wrapped around her head and another at her shoulder.
“This isn’t official,” the nurse begins. “Her vitals are strong. She lost a significant amount of blood, but her color is already looking better. She got a little banged up. Believe it or not, she’s not the worst one that was brought in from that accident.”
“She’s all I care about.” I round the corner and move to stand at Daisy’s side. My hand instinctively moving to gently hold hers.
“I understand. We’ll be monitored from outside, the doctor is due to come in and check on her first thing in the morning.”
I pull the chair a little closer and take a seat without letting go of Daisy’s hand.
“You can press the call button if you need something.” The nurse quietly leaves the room.
I continuously look her over and wonder if there was something I could’ve done to prevent this. If I wasn’t playing, maybe she wouldn’t have been out. Maybe if I convince her to come to all of the away games, I can always have her with me. I can always protect her.
It’s unrealistic, I know this. It’s all I can do to not blame myself for this. As if I could’ve prevented it.
“I love you, Daisy. I’ll be right here. Rest and come back to me.
” The words feel small. They say when someone is injured like this, they can hear those around them.
If that’s the case, I need her to know how much she means to me.
To never forget it. “I asked your grandfather for permission to marry you.” I chuckle softly.
“Well, honestly I didn’t even get to finish asking and he was welcoming me to the family.
It’s not the same as asking your dad, but it feels right.
Now, I just need you to come back to me so we can start our lives together. ”
I lose track of time, unable to sleep, unable to do anything but focus on Daisy and my hand on hers.
All I can do is repeatedly tell her how much I love her.
And when she wakes up—when she wakes up—I’ll make sure she knows just how much she means to me.
If I have to find new ways to prove it every day, I will.