Tears welled over, and a love so fierce, so strong overwhelmed me. He was okay. We were okay. “I need a Callum hug.”
“Get in here then.”
We rocked back and forth as we pressed chest to chest. He smelled like a hospital, but his typical cologne and bodywash lingered, reminding me of safety and home. “I’m so sorry about your ankle.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t realize the impact it’d have on you. My mom pointed out there was a few moments there where she was terrified?—”
“You didn’t get up Callum.” I almost shouted. “There are too many freak accidents in sports that cause brain injuries, and in those seconds, I couldn’t fucking breathe. If something happened to you…I wouldn’t survive it.”
“Nothing is gonna happen to me.” He flashed a smile and ran a hand over my head, jaw, then shoulder. “I promise. But if something were, you’re a fighter. A survivor. You have more grit and resilience than I do.”
“You’re the toughest person I know.”
“No. I’m not. You are.” He glanced at my scar, then at my ankle. “I’m not gonna argue a pointless fight because I know who you are.”
“Are you mentally doing okay?” I swallowed the ball of worry in my throat. “No more football?”
“It sucks. I want to finish the team with my guys, but I can do that in another form. On the sidelines, talking shit. The pain is gonna be the worst. I’m a baby. I need a super good nurse to help me. Know any?”
“It’ll only be me.” Jealousy flared in my body, and I was ready to fight…only to realize he was teasing. My tense muscles relaxed.
“That’s my girl.” He grinned and settled back into the bed. “Can you stay here? I know you have to prepare for tomorrow, but after I nap, we can look at example questions for a possible interview and go over them together. It’s selfish of me, but?—”
“Callum, I’m not going anywhere.” I squeezed his hand. “Not selfish at all. You’ve had a career-ending surgery and are being way too chill about it. It’s not normal. I have to stay here to make sure you’re not losing your sanity.”
He chuckled. “I’m as sane as ever. I needed my person, and you’re here. I can finally relax. And fuck, I’m tired.”
Guilt hit me quick and fast that I wasn’t here before. But, to model after Callum’s refusal to feel regret, I’d learn from this and never repeat it.
“Sleep then.” I grabbed the flimsy blanket and tucked him in. He stared at me with so much love it seemed ridiculous that I’d even questioned it for a second. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“Love you, Ivy Lee.” He closed his eyes, and the grip on my hand loosened. It didn’t take more than a minute before his breathing leveled out, and he was fast asleep. I didn’t dare move my hand. There was nowhere I’d rather be than here, with him.
28
CALLUM
Ivy finally left at ten pm to go home. It took an hour to convince her to leave, but my girl had an interview tomorrow she had to nail. I wanted her feeling and looking her best. I deserved an award, actually, for being so selfless.
Yeah. Real martyr. Putting Ivy’s entire life goal first instead of you.
You’re so annoying. When are you out of the hospital?
Today, assholes. Today. I stretched my arms over my head and yawned. I should be dismissed at noon today. The thought of going to the football house and living on the third floor seemed annoying. I sure as hell wasn’t going back with my mom.
Maybe Ivy will offer?
Yeah. That’d be ideal, but then I wouldn’t want to leave, ever. I did also just ask her when we could live together, and she’d stuttered through it. Too soon, probably.
“Knock, knock.”
The morning nurse had taken over for the night one, and Shirley was kinder. The night nurse was not putting up with my dramatics, even if they were deserved.
“Hello, Shirley.” I pushed up onto my bed and smiled at her. “Can I break free soon?”
“Yup. I’m taking vitals, but everything looked good last night. You’re young and healthy. No complications.” She measured my temperature, then blood pressure. It was our routine already.
“You seem like someone who doesn’t like being caged. You’re gonna be limited the next few weeks.”
