He turns around slowly and runs his hand through his hair. “I didn’t think about that.”
“I don’t know if you’ll be able to play in the next game. We need to x-ray your back. You’re going to be seeing a whole lot of me if you’re even cleared to play,” I say. “I don’t like you hurt. When are you going to get that?”
He tries for a smirk, but it falls flat. “Sounds like you want to call me your boyfriend.”
I take his hands tightly and stare up at him. “If that keeps you from charging into battle recklessly, then sure. I’ll write your number on me the next time you play.”
“Heat or ice, doc?” he asks.
“We’re going to be doing plenty. I need Coach Carpenter to sign off on me heading home. I don’t trust the medic though.”
“We’re staying.”
I scoff. “We absolutely are not. You need to go to the hospital.”
JAXON
I prefer Hope’s treatment to the hospital. Not that she leaves. It just brings up more memories I don’t want to have. More what-ifs I don’t want to give attention to.
If I’d gotten home thirty minutes earlier… fifteen… would there have been someone to save?
Anytime I start to slip into thinking, Hope squeezes my hand and asks a question. She’s consistent and the more I focus on her, the more Inotice her. How her black hair falls from her bun, the analytical glint to her eyes, the fact she doesn’t look tired or weak right now… she’s beautiful even in fluorescent lights and with a constant antiseptic smell.
“You’re sexy,” I hum.
“See! It can’t be a mild concussion,” she notes.
“According to the scans, it is,” the doctor answers Hope. The doctor glances at her notes. “A mild concussion. He didn’t lose consciousness. As of right now, we’re more concerned about his back. It doesn’t seem to be a tear, which is good, but the cartilage between the vertebrae is getting thin and…”
She gives Hope more information and Hope nods along, keeps asking questions. I focus on the shape of her mouth, that determined set of her brows. She’s hot. Really hot. How the hell have I kept my hands off her this long?
“Um, yes. That’s all,” the doctor says, obviously uncomfortable.
“Alright. So, we’ll wait until we’re told we can leave,” Hope says.
The doctor glances at me, then to Hope, then walks out. Hope huffs and flicks me. “Put that away. You scarred the doctor.”
I’m hard because of course I am. I’m in a room with Hope in her element. I lean back. “I don’t have a heart monitor or anything hooked up. We could dim the lights and see—”
She points at me. “You’re injured. Absolutely not. I know how much football matters to you and—”
“There are more important things, Hope. There have to be. Please, let there be more important things.”
She watches me for a moment, then gently leans down and kisses me. It’s soft, hesitant, but sweet all the same. I stroke her hair and kiss her again because she lets me. Our lips part and she gently licks my bottom lip before pulling away.
“I need you okay and happy, Jax. Seeing you in a hospital gown isn’t a turn-on. It’s terrifying.”
“I’m sorry, Hope,” I whisper.
“I need you in one piece,” she whispers back and my lips find hers again.
I can’t stop the small smile as she tries to ignore my hard-on when our lips part.
“I won’t hurt you,” I whisper.
“I know,” she whispers back. “Come, I’ll get you dressed.”
“Not further undressed?” I tease and she shakes her head slightly.
