“Let’s go. They’ll take him to the training room for the doctors to take a look. We might not get in there, but we’ll get as close as we can, so you can see him the minute they give the okay.”
I nodded. We stepped into the elevator that would take us down there, and Ellie gave me a side hug.
“It’s going to be okay, Quinn. Believe that. He’s going to be fine.”
We’d been waiting in the empty, echoing corridor outside the locker room for twenty minutes. The guard had kindly but firmly told us that we couldn’t go any further, but after Ellie had cajoled him, he’d promised to give us any update he heard and to talk to the trainer about letting us in as soon as it was possible.
People swooshed through the hall, to and fro, but none of them showed us the least bit interest. A couple of reporters straggled down, but a non-life-threatening injury to a second year player who was only just beginning to show his strength wasn’t exactly breaking news. I tried not to be bitter about that, thinking of all the times the press had hounded us about stupid stuff since Leo had been in college.
One of the journalists was live streaming the game on his phone, with the volume pumped. Apparently the Rebels had made the extra point after Leo’s touchdown, but New York had come back to score ten points after that—a fast touch down and then a field goal. They were a mere field goal from tying it up as we went into the fourth quarter.
There was a lull in the game when New York challenged the referee’s ruling on the field. One of the announcers covering the live stream spoke up.
“Any word yet on Leo Taylor? In case you didn’t see it, folks, he was taken off the field after he scored a touchdown for Richmond. Looked like maybe a knee issue.”
“What I hear from the Rebels’ organization is that it looks like a torn ACL. That’s a tough one, you know, Ken?”
The other announcer was apparently a little more optimistic. “Well, Merle, this kid is young, you know, and strong. He’s shown a lot of promise, and if Richmond sticks with him, I have a feeling he could come back from this an even better player. You’re not wrong, though. It’s a painful injury, and a long recovery.”
“Turn it off.” I ground out the words between clenched teeth. “Turn it off. Or turn off the sound.”
The reporter frowned at me, but he bumped down the volume so that I didn’t have to hear any more doom and gloom from that quarter.
My hands were shaking. I didn’t know what Leo would do if his career was over. He was smart and talented, without a doubt, but he’d never thought seriously about any other career. He had his degree, so a new job wasn’t impossible but ...
I scowled, angry at myself.What the hell was I doing?I was defaulting to the worst-case scenario, sure that if something could go wrong, it would. I thought I’d gotten beyond this kind of thinking. That second announcer—he was right. Leo was young, strong and determined. No matter what happened, he could and would come back from this. I was going to make sure of it. I’d do anything I could to help him.
Digging in my coat pocket, I found my phone, opened my contacts and scrolled down to hit one name. I held up a finger to Ellie and walked a little way down the hall for some privacy.
The phone only rang once on the other end before a familiar voice answered.
“Quinn? You okay, honey? What’s going on there? We were watching the game, but Allan wouldn’t let me call you until we’d heard something definite.”
“Kara.” Just hearing her speak gave me comfort. “I don’t know anything for sure yet, but they’re saying torn ACL. I mean, that’s what the press is saying. I’m standing outside the fucking locker room and no one’s bothered to give me an update.”
“Yeah, that’s typical,” she sighed. “But okay. A torn ACL. What can we do?”
“Doctors, Kara. Hospitals. The very best. I need names, and I need numbers. Hook me up with the doctors and surgeons who can get Leo back to playing as soon as he can. And anything else, too—rehab, physical therapy, you name it.”
“I’m on it.” As always, when given a mission, Kara didn’t skip a beat. “I’ll call you back as soon as I have information. Now you try to keep calm and know that everything’s going to be all right, okay? Is someone with you?”
I glanced down the hall. “Yeah, Ellie Iverson’s here. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks, Kara.”
“You know we’ll do anything and everything we can, sweetheart. I’ll be in touch.” She hung up, and I slid my phone back into my pocket.
Ellie tilted her head as I walked back. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah, I just—”
The door to the players’ area opened, and a young guy I didn’t recognize stuck his head out, scanning the hall. “Is there a Quinn here? Quinn, uh, Russell?”
I lifted my hand, suddenly struck mute.
“Yeah, if you want to come with me ... Leo said I should get you.”
I looked over at Ellie, who gave me a little shove. “Go. I’ll wait here. Call or text if you have news.”
I stumbled through the door, following the kid who I decided was probably on staff, somehow. He didn’t offer me any information, and I didn’t ask.
