My mouth opens, but no words come out.Again.
Feeling my cheeks redden, I shake my head and try to get it together.
That’s my girl,I finally wheeze out.Turning to Harper, I extend my hand for a low five.Her good hand smacks mine, just not with her usual strength.
Eddie made it fun.Even though the room was kinda scary.The machine was huge.
Eddie.Fuck me, I love it.I have a name to put to this incredible woman now.
Thank you—Eddie, was it?For taking such good care of her.
Yeah,she says slowly, her hands clasping in front of her as she stares just as intently at me.It’s Edith, but everyone calls me Eddie.
I like it,I find myself admitting to her before I can stop myself.Her eyes widen for a second before an amused smile spreads over her face.I smile back, not able to stop myself.She’s so beautiful.
You both are being weird,Harper states when the room goes quiet.Can we go now?
Eddie shakes out of it first and smiles down at Harper.Not yet.You still need to meet the—
Hello, everyone,another voice calls seconds before the curtain is pulled back again.A man with bright green-rimmed glasses, holding a tablet, smiles at all of us.I’m Dr.Pacheco.
—doctor,Eddie finishes with a laugh.Perfect timing, Dr.P.
I’m nothing if not prompt,the man jokes back to her.So, Harper, I see we’ve had a bit of an accident today.
With one last smile at Harper and a quick nod my way, Eddie slips back and leaves the area.I instantly feel the loss of her presence.
I want to follow her.I want to chat with her more, maybe steal a couple more smiles and then ask her out.I want nothing but to be in her presence for a little bit longer.
But Harper needs me.
So I stay where I am, focusing on what I’m being told and the next steps to put a cast around Harper’s wrist and forearm.Harper needs me right now.
Yet you better believe as soon as we’re out of the woods and Harper is back home, safe and sound, I’m putting all my focus back into Eddie and how I can see her again.
Outside of the hospital setting, that is.I don’t want injury rumours to start.
I’m plotting all the different ways I can find out more about her and set up a not-so-spontaneous meet-cute when Harper bursts my bubble.
Do you think Mom will like my orange cast?
Okay, so maybe I have a couple more hurdles to jump before I’m out of the woods.If my sister doesn’t kill me, then there’s no stopping me from meeting Eddie again I correct myself.
I swallow the lump in my throat and force a grin at Harper.I’m sure she’ll love it,I lie.She’s going to fucking hate it.And then she’s going to murder me.
CHAPTER TWO
SIDNEY
As a professional hockey player, there are clauses in my contract with the Toronto Nighthawks that restrict me from doing anything dangerous, outside of my job as goaltender, that could result in my death, dismemberment, or harm of any kind.
This is standard practice, as there are some players who are adrenaline junkies and love extreme sports.It’s to stop us from doing stuff like free solo climbs up mountains, skydiving without professionals present, climbing on roofs to put up Christmas lights during a snowstorm, and boxing matches.
I gently remind my sister of this as she stomps like a bull in my direction, her fists clenched at her sides.
You should have called,she growls as she leaps from the porch steps and makes her way down to my car.
I did call.As soon as I knew you were out of your exam.
