Andie giggles.“Maybe we can let people think that to save you the embarrassment, Phoebs.”
Sighing, because there is no saving me, I admit, “It was a live turkey.The gobble-gobble kind.”The shudder that racks me at the memory of his menacing gobble makes me jar my wrist again, and I groan.“He was huge, and I swear he was waiting for me.I think he tripped me on purpose.”
Her eyes turn serious.“Do you know him?Is he a turkey shifter?Are you being stalked?We can call the police and file a report.”
My eyes widen at her questions.None of that ever occurred to me.I look to Andie in shock.
She shakes her head.“No, he’s a natural wild turkey.He’s banded and part of the flock that roams the shops and housing developments around the Village.We call him Reggie.He’s not a shifter.He is an asshole of a bird, but I don’t think he purposely tried to hurt Phoebe.I think he has a crush on her.”
When we both look at her like she’s crazy, Andie widens her eyes in response.“What?It’s turkey mating season, and Phoebe is cute.Who wouldn’t go for her?I mean, not me, I’m strictly dickly, but I have eyes.And she can bake.What’s not to like?”
“Transport for X-ray,” comes a voice from the other side of the curtain.
Dr.Chaudhury opens the curtain.“In here.”
A young man with a wheelchair smiles.“Your chariot awaits, miss,” he says with a sweep of his hand.
“I can walk.”
“Hospital policy,” the doctor says.“Enjoy it.I bet you don’t get the royal treatment every day.”
Lowering myself into the wheelchair without jostling my wrist isn’t easy, but I manage.In no time, I’m being wheeled back to the bay in the ER, where Dr.Chaudhury joins us.
“Good news.No fracture.Merely a sprain.It’s going to heal quickly.Let’s get you wrapped and in a sling so you can get out of here.”
“We’re hoping to compete in a baking competition in three weeks,” I say.“Will I be healed by then?”
She hums and nods.“Provided you rest it, ice it as directed in your discharge paperwork, and keep it elevated, you should be fine.It’s not a severe sprain, so as long as you take care of it, you’ll be back to normal in no time.Good luck!You’re always welcome to drop off pastry samples to your friendly neighborhood ER.”
She has the supplies ready and starts wrapping my wrist as I try my phone again.Still no answer.
“Hey, Andie, could you text Colby and ask him to tell Ollie to answer his phone?”
Her fingers fly across the screen of her phone, and I hear the whoosh of the sent text.
“Done.Why are you calling Ollie?I can give you a ride home.”
“He’s my fiancé.”
6
OLLIE
The entire teamshowed up for the optional practice.That never happened with the Sasquatch.If things were optional, they were saying, “No thanks”—and that’s probably why their season is over and the Devil Birds are advancing.
Alvarez glances up from his phone when I pass him on my way to my locker after my shower.
“King, answer your phone,” he says.
I shoot him a confused look as I reach into the side pocket of my bag and fish it out.It’s vibrating because I have the ringer off.No one calls me—that’s what text messaging is for.When I unlock it, I see I have multiple missed calls, a couple voicemails, and Phoebe’s name and picture on my screen with an incoming call.I don’t even have a chance to appreciate how pretty she looked at our siblings’ wedding as I answer and put the phone up to my ear.
“Phoebe, hi, what’s up?”I hold the towel at my waist as I sit on the bench.I already put on my briefs, so no one is going to see anything.Not that anyone cares, we all have the same stuff under our pads—but I’ve never been one to strut around with my twig and berries out for all to see.
“Ollie, can you come get me at the hospital in Shifting Pines?I need a ride back to Finn and Shelby’s house.My car is here, but I can’t drive it.”
I stand up in alarm.“Hospital?What?Are you okay?Of course I’ll come, let me work out a ride.”Alvarez waves to catch my attention and gives a thumbs-up to signal he’ll get me there.“Got the ride, I’ll be there in…” I glance at Alvarez, who tells me half an hour.He’s already getting dressed.I tell Phoebe.
“Thank you,” she says with a grateful sigh.“I’m okay, I fell at work and sprained my wrist.The doctor is wrapping it now.I took strong Tylenol and am a little loopy.”
