Chapter 50
The roar of the crowd surrounds me as I take the field, the energy coursing through my veins. This is my moment. Stay focused, Dylan. Eyes on the prize. I go through my pre-game routine, visualizing each play, each tackle. This is my shot to show what I can do, to prove my worth.
The whistle blows and we’re off. I explode into action, firing on all cylinders. I time my hits perfectly, sending opponents flying. When we form the scrum, I drive with everything I’ve got, churning those legs.
“Great work, Dylan!” Coach shouts. “Keep it up!”
I’m in the zone. This is rugby. This is me. I belong here.
Time whizzes by. By now, we’re already nearly halfway through the first half and it’s a tight match. As we set up for a scrum, I size up their hooker. She’s got a reputation for playing dirty.
The ref blows the whistle and we clash together, eight bodies tangled in combat. I drive forward with all my might when suddenly I feel a sharp, twisting pain in my neck. Their hooker is boring in illegally, wrenching my head to the side.
As I realize what’s happening, a lightning bolt of agony shoots through me. I cry out and collapse, clutching my neck. The whistle blows, halting play.
“Medic!” my teammate shouts. “Dylan’s down!”
I try to move, but the pain paralyzes me. This can’t be happening. Not now, when I was finally proving myself.
A medic rushes over, checking me urgently.
The pain is intense, shooting and throbbing at the same time. Fuck. It’s my neck as well… the thing connecting my spine to my brain. This can’t be good.
The medic secures my neck in a brace as I lie immobilized on the turf. His grim expression tells me all I need to know—this is bad. Really bad.
As the ambulance sirens wail in the distance, panic rises in my chest. My rugby career, everything I’ve worked for...could it really end here, like this?
The medic squeezes my shoulder reassuringly. “We’re going to take good care of you, Dylan,” he says. “Just try to stay still for me, okay?”
I nod slightly, blinking back tears, and immediately regret trying to move my neck as pain sears through my body. The ambulance arrives and they load me in.
Jayden
My heart is in my throat as I watch Dylan command the field. She’s incredible, a force to be reckoned with. But I know how much she’s endured to get here, and now seeing her shine fills me with so much pride and relief. She’s finally getting the chance she deserves.
I’m on my feet in an instant when I see Dylan go down, my heart seizing in my chest. My world collapses as I see her collapsing to the ground.
I bolt down the stands, taking the steps two at a time. Not like this. She can’t be hurt like this!
Reaching the field, I see her lying there motionless. Noah and Killian are right behind me, their faces etched with the same dread I feel.
“Dylan!” I cry out, dropping to my knees beside her. Her eyes find mine, filled with fear and agony. “Just hold on,” I tell her. “We’re right here with you.”
I take her hand in mine, stroking her hair very carefully to avoid moving her head or neck. We’ll get through this, together. Dylan’s the strongest person I know. She has to pull through this. She just has to.
We insist on riding with Dylan to the hospital. Seeing her strapped to a stretcher, her neck braced, fills me with dread. I clasp her hand, stroking it gently.
“Thanks guys,” she whispers hoarsely. “...stick with the team, the game...”
Killian shakes his head. “Forget the game, Dylan. You’re all that matters right now.”
Noah stays close, carefully watching her face for any flicker of pain. I know how hard this is for him. For all of us.
At the hospital, they swiftly wheel Dylan into the emergency room, a team of doctors and nurses swarming around her.
Noah, Killian and I sink into the waiting room chairs, shell-shocked. Noah stares blankly at the wall, jaw clenched. Killian paces restlessly, running his hands through his hair.
I lean forward, elbows on my knees, and drop my head into my hands.
“If anyone can pull through this, it’s Dylan,” I say, my voice hollow. “But seeing her like this...it’s unbearable.”
Noah’s expression is grim. “She’ll pull through,” he says, almost like he’s trying to convince himself. “She has to.”
After what feels like an eternity, a doctor finally emerges. His face is grave as he explains the severity of Dylan’s neck injury and what it could mean for her mobility, her career.
My heart drops into my stomach. Beside me, Noah goes pale.
“Her rugby career,” I say in dismay. “Everything she’s worked for...could it really all end like this?”
The doctor holds up a hand. “It’s still too early to say. The next few hours are critical. We’ll know more then.”
With that, he turns and heads back through the double doors, leaving the three of us suspended in agonizing uncertainty.