Colt drops back, but the defense breaks through like a wall exploding inward. The hit is brutal—helmet off, his body twisting in a way it shouldn’t, crumpling to the turf. It’s silent. Abigail’s hand flies to her mouth.
“Holy shit,” Nick says behind me, tension radiating off him like heat.
“Son of a bitch,” Josh mutters.
My heart stutters. Abigail is already on her feet, moving toward the screen, dread etched across her face.
“No, no, no,” she whispers, voice cracking as panic claws its way through her.
“He’s not getting up,” she says, her voice hollow with terror.
Nora whispers, “Get up, baby,” her eyes glassy, unaware she’s said it aloud.
“Nora, he’s not getting up.”
“Fuck,” Josh says.
On the field, Colt’s teammates start to realize something’s wrong. Players break formation, some kneeling, others rushing to him. The air feels thick, like the world’s holding its breath.
Abigail is trembling. Nora reaches out, touching her gently.
“Honey, I don’t need you upsetting the baby. It’s going to be okay. Just take a deep breath for me, sugar.”
Abigail nods, but she’s barely holding it together. “He’s not moving,” she sobs.
“I know, baby, we’re all watching. But my boy is stronger than those damn horses he has at the ranch.”
Nora eases her to the couch. We all watch in frozen silence as medics surround Colt, stabilize his neck. Abigail’s leg bounces erratically, the tension contagious.
“Colt knows you’re with him. That’s what’s keeping him strong,” Nora whispers.
She sniffles, broken. “He’s still not moving.”
“I know, baby, but I can feel it. He’s okay.”
And then, his knee bends.
Abigail gasps, a sound so raw it rips something open inside me. My throat tightens as Colt raises his arm, signaling he’s conscious. The stadium erupts, wild with relief. Medics helped him to his feet, escorting him to the cart. No stretcher. No paralysis. Just bruised and shaken—but alive.
Abigail’s phone rings and she bolts upright, answering with shaking hands as she rushes outside.
Beside me, Nick’s hand finds my shoulder, grounding me.
“You okay, princess?” His voice is low, concerned.
I turn my head, slowly, letting him see it—just for a second. The ache. The yearning. The part of me that’s unraveling because I don’t know what it’s like to be that afraid to lose someone you love. To have someone who would wreck your world if they disappeared.
His brows knit, head tilting, but I steel myself.
“Yeah,” I lie.
Abigail walks back in, phone clutched to her face. “I’m coming there. I don’t care.”
“Babe, calm down, I’m fine. I’m sure it’s nothing more than a sprained shoulder and maybe a fractured rib.”
“I’m looking at plane tickets now.” Abigail says pacing back and forth holding the phone up to her face.
“Abigail, no I don’t want you getting on a plane by yourself. Not when you are this far along. I’m just waiting for the doctor to check me out, but even if it’s minor, I’m sure I’ll have to go to the hospital to run concussion tests, just normal protocol.”
