I could throw up. Being out the rest of the season killed me. Fuck. I thought I had a few more games left in me. This meant I was done.
No more football. Just like that.
“I’m sure.” Henry held up the scan and pointed to a very clear break in my bone. Cool. Neat. Loved that for me. Full breakage.
Huh, it almost looked like Ivy’s ankle.
Ivy.
I choked on my own breath thinking about her and how her face had fallen and her eyes had welled with tears when I told her to get out. She thought I was pushing her away! I wasn’t! I was remembering her ask of me: to hide us being together. With the Chicago guy coming and Henry all around, I had to do that. I’d make it up to her once I got out of here, but fuck, the girl knew I was crazy about her.
She had to. I told her a million times a day.
Dude, you made her cry. Again.
She ran into the wall and hurt herself because of you.
Yeah, fuck. I ran a hand over my face, having a full-on conversation with my inner monologue.I’m looking out for her like she wanted.
Things change, bro. You’re done with football now.
Your mom said she couldn’t breathe when you didn’t get up. Ever think how Ivy felt?
Of course you didn’t.
I shook my head, focusing on Henry talking about the recovery plan. I could’ve summed it up in a sentence: I was done with football.
Instead of distraught, a weird sense of relief hit me. Not the injury. That sucked. When my chaotic energy built up, I had to work out to satisfy it, and now that was gone. What would I do?
Hang with Ivy.
But you hurt her. What if it was too much?
“Was I a dick to Ivy?” I blurted out.
Both Henry and my mom glanced at me. My mom patted my arm. “I don’t want to?—”
“Yes,” Henry said, his stoic face giving nothing away. “She told me you were childhood friends, and she was shaking like a leaf coming to check on you. You dismissing her was a dick move. We allow friends and family back here, especially ones that work on the team. Now, I told her players act differently when injured, so maybe you can use that.”
My gut fucking sank. “She was shaking?”
“Callum.” My mom rolled her eyes. “You didn’t get up for thirty seconds, and that is plenty of time for people to assume the worst.”
“Why did you let me do that to her?” I pushed up in my seat, but Henry glared.
“Stay where you are. You’re in no place to walk or do anything. We’re working on getting you transport to the hospital right now to stay for the night because you’ll have surgery first thing in the morning.”
Panic clawed up my throat. I couldn’t go to surgery without talking to my girl. Plus, my mom’s words hit me in the chest.Plenty of time to assume the worst.
If I saw Ivy not get up for thirty seconds, I would’ve killed someone to get to her. I would’ve risked my life to get to her, and I just… dismissed her?
Fuck. This wasn’t good. Oh no.
“Mom, I need my phone. I gotta text her.”
“We can get you your stuff before you head there. We need to discuss what you’re wanting for a recovery plan though. Minimum twelve weeks out, which puts us into December. If we’re in a bowl, you could possibly play again. Do you want to enter the draft?”
I shook my head, meeting my mom’s face. “No. I don’t think I want to. If Angie can handle the baby without the money?—”
