I’m still dazed from the news.
I can play hockey again.
I shift my attention to the woman power-walking next to me like a bodyguard, on high alert.
As my head spins, two familiar angels poof on my shoulders.
Angel 1: You made a promise, Nat. Three minutes ago, you told her you’d choose her.
Angel 2: That was before he realized he could play hockey again. The promise doesn’t count anymore.
Angel 1: Is that who you want to be? A liar?
Angel 2: It’s not a lie. He meant it in the moment. But that moment is over.
Angel 1: You can’t go back on your word now. What does that say about the kind of man you are?
My stomach roils.
When I turn the bend, I’m surprised to find the hallway teeming with familiar faces.
Max straightens from where he was leaning against the wall. “Campbell.”
Renthrow frowns in worry. “What’d the doctor say?”
“The pain was from a splinter.” Riley takes over the explanation, which is a relief because I wouldn’t know how to express myself in this moment.
At the end of her recount, McLanely looks at me strangely. “Have you been in pain this whole time?”
Kinsey folds his arms across his chest, staring me down.
Max arches a brow. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I didn’t want to let the team down,” I mumble.
“That’s bull, Campbell, and you know it,” Max says sternly.
Riley stiffens beside me, but I put my hand on her arm to stop her from jumping to my defense. I deserve way more than a mere scolding from my teammates.
“Let’s not dogpile the guy after he was rushed away in an ambulance,” April says patiently.
May pipes up. “What’s important is that Nathan is going to be fine.” She elbows Max in the side. “You can give him the eye of doom later.”
“Agreed.” Riley uses her strict-teacher voice and it would be amusing to observe it being unleashed on someone other than me.
Except my head is still reeling.
Do I keep my promise to Riley or do I choose what makes me happy?
“Yeah, you should get some rest,” Rebel says, tugging on Kinsey’s arm.
My teammates back off reluctantly.
Renthrow nods to me. “Are you sure you don’t need a wheelchair?”
“I spent a lot of time in wheelchairs after the accident. I’d rather not use them if I can help it.” I smile at them. “Thanks for being here, guys, but I’m fine. Really.”
Beside me, Riley grumbles about me sacrificing my leg for a ‘stupid game’, but she doesn’t pick a fight.
