“Immediate family only at the moment. He’s on pain medication, so he might not be responsive.”
As the doctor led Ainsley and Gwen away to see Baird, relief shattered through me and I buried my face in my hands as the sob broke out before I could stop it.
I felt more than Beth’s soothing hand on my back. First John’s, then the gaffer’s.
“It’s okay,” the gaffer offered in a gruff voice. “He’s going to be okay, son. It’s okay.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
CALLAN
The doctors wanted to keep visitors to a minimum in those initial forty-eight hours. At first, I refused to leave until they’d let me in to see him. Teammates came and went, leaving wee gifts for Baird and his family. His grandparents arrived too.
Then Beth’s parents showed up with Elle, and the three of them were carrying enough food to feed an army. Now that I knew Baird would be all right, I ate.
Her parents didn’t stick around long, just made sure we were okay and fed. I got a hug from Joss and Elle, and a comforting pat on the back from Braden.
“Call us if you need anything,” Beth’s dad had said, meaning it.
Finally, I got to see Baird.
It was weird seeing my mate, this larger-than-life bloke, laid out on a hospital bed. There were odd, dark circles around his eyes, especially his right, and that side of his head was swollen. He looked pale and helpless, and I fucking hated it.
“Am I pretty?” Baird asked groggily as I sat down next to him.
I burst out laughing, but it turned into choked tears.
Bowing my head over his bed, I shook, trying to get a hold of myself.
I felt his hand rest on the back of my head.
We didn’t say anything.
We just stayed like that for a while until I felt like I could breathe again.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
CALLAN
It would have been so easy to go back out on that pitch and fall apart. To let fear and frustration and grief for Baird take us out at the knees.
But Caley United returned to the pitch four days later to the roar of not just our fans but Kingston fans too. Kingston supporters led the way, clapping us onto the field. Our fans followed. Their compassion made me proud of our sport.
We played for Baird who was recovering in hospital but out for the rest of the season.
And we played with a fierceness that stunned our worthy opponents.
That first game was a draw.
The next a win.
The next after that a win.
A draw.
A win.
A win.
