“Careful,” Riley mumbles as I settle into the couch.
“Must be the pills,” I tell her, setting my head on the back of the sofa. “I’ve never felt like this before.”
“The doctors said you’d be kind of loopy for a while,” she assures me. Checking her phone for the time, Riley says, “You can take a nap. I’ll wake you up when it’s time for your pain meds.”
My eyes fall shut, but my mind is still racing. Memories from my last stint in the hospital filter through my mind. Those dark days after the accident changed me—not just physically but mentally.
Layla broke up with me, and I came to the conclusion that being single was for the best. I never want to drag my loved one into a cycle of hospital rooms, anxiety, and caretaking.
Yet here I am.
Riley’s voice sounds distant. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to pick up a few things.”
I nod and the door clicks shut.
I’m not sure how long she’s gone because I fall asleep on the couch. When I wake up, a warm blanket is over me and the smell of fragrant soup fills the air.
As I acclimate to the ceiling lights, I remember the last few hours.
The score on the ice. The pain. The ambulance.
Riley holding my hand in the hospital room.
Riley driving me all the way back to Lucky Falls.
Riley helping me inside the house.
Angel 1: After all she’s done for you, you still want to choose hockey over keeping your promise to her?
Angel 2: What’s wrong with being selfish? It’s his life. He can do what makes him happy.
I sit up and notice the pain in my leg has returned. It’s sharp and throbbing and I can’t wait for the surgery to be rid of it.
Riley hurries over with a bowl of soup and a little plastic bag. “You’re up. Right on time. I have your next dose right here.”
I blink slowly, watching her. In some ways, I’ve found myself right back at where I was after the accident.
But there are a few key differences.
I still have a team.
I’m sure I can play hockey again.
And this time, Riley is the one beside me.
“I went to The Tipsy Tuna for something to eat and, funnily enough, Mauve already had soup prepared. She asked me to bring it to you and said she’d be praying for you to get well soon. It was so sweet. Honestly, I’m starting to understand the appeal of small towns.”
Riley sets a tray down on the coffee table, moving briskly. She’s not complaining or pouting or scolding me—although she has every right to after I kept the truth of my leg from her. She’s just quietly filling in all the gaps, organizing everything I need, and selflessly looking after me.
“You’re a well-loved guy, Nat. Your phone’s been going off all night.” She sets the device on the sofa. “Chris sent some voice messages. So did Renea. Your parents called too. They heard what happened at the game and they said they’re flying out.” She hands me the pills.
I accept it and the glass of water. “I’ll call them. Tell them it’s no big deal.”
“Good luck with that,” Riley says as I swallow the pills. She extends her hand to take the cup from me while I settle back against the couch. “By the way, I kind of told them we’re dating.”
She winces.
My eyes widen and I sit up straight, moving a little too fast.
