“Only when a ref likes a player,” he said in confidence.
He’s brazen, even carrying me off like a caveman.Men can be dorks sometimes, but this is cute and funny.She smiled up at him.“So much for our lunch together.”
“I’ll meet you at the emergency room later for some hospital Jello,” he said.
“Then it’s a date,” she replied.
The field medic returned carrying some additional gear.He applied another treatment while they waited for the ambulance.The head ref blew his whistle, and Tony said farewell before heading back to the pitch to resume play.The ambulance soon arrived, and Giselle plopped on a gurney as the paramedics loaded her into the back of the van.
Chapter Seven
Revelations
At the Manillow Hospital emergency room, Giselle endured a barrage of tests.The nurse took her vitals and asked a ton of questions.The standard blood draw, an X-Ray, and MRI of her foot occurred next.Upon receiving the results, the doctor went through each detail and delivered some good news about the injury.
“You don’t require surgery,” he said, standing next to the bed Giselle rested on.“There is a fracture, but thankfully not an open one.Also, no bones are out of alignment that would require repair.The ankle joint is stable enough for a cast and crutches, then later a walking boot as healing progresses.You’ll still require medications to manage pain and inflammation, but overall, the prognoses looks good.”
Relief flooded her as she smiled.The fall had been ugly, and the creepy pop she heard in her ankle had her imagining the worst.“Thank you so much, Doctor Cortez.I appreciate everyone’s help, and I feel better already.”
“Of course,” he replied, adjusting his glasses.“Just don’t go around kicking any soccer balls soon.Do you have someone to assist you in getting home?”
“Well, no.I—”
“She does,” Tony said as he walked into the room.
Giselle waved from the bed as gladness swept over her.He still wore his officiating uniform and must have come straight here after the game.She burned to ask him about the match result, but had to finish speaking to the doctor first.
Doctor Cortez nodded, then checked something on his clipboard.“Great.Orthopedics will be here to get you casted up, Giselle.I’ll also put in your prescriptions.You rest up now.”She thanked him again, and he patted her knee before stepping out of the room.
“Who won?”she blurted to Tony, the anticipation killing her.
“This is a nice hospital,” he said casually.“I wonder if they have a good cafeteria.”
“Ugh, Tony!Come on, did the Rapids pull it off?”
“The doctor seemed nice.He—”
Giselle yanked one of the pillows from behind her and reached back to throw it at him.Tony laughed, then put up his hands in defense.
“Ok, fine,” he relented.“Rapids victory, one to nothing.Your team captain scored a goal with seven minutes left to play.The Rapids’ defense held strong to close out the match.”
Giselle raised her arms as joy welled inside.“WOO!Hell yes!I’m so happy for them, they all worked damn hard all season.”
Tony smiled.“Don’t forget you are part of the team, too.Congratulations, Giselle.The Rapids deserve it.”
“Thank you, Tony, that means a lot.”She sank into the inclined back rest and sighed.“You also worked hard all season, Mister Flag Waver.Will you be officiating at the finals next Saturday?”
He nodded.“It’s always a bittersweet feeling when the season ends.Love us or hate us, the refs are a huge part of the game as well.”
“We don’t all hate you,” Giselle commented.“Only when you get the call wrong.”
Tony shook his head.“You’ll never let that go, will you?”
She shrugged, trying not to smile.“Maybe after someone hands me the third-place trophy.I like shiny things.”
“You’ll get it tomorrow when your team shows up at your apartment,” he said.Giselle’s eyebrows lifted in question, and he continued.“Sorry, spoiler alert.Coach Jess organized a raid at your place on Sunday.The Rapids are going to bring some goodies and check up on you.”
Giselle grinned as a feeling of warmth passed through her.“That’s so sweet!You’ll be there too, right?”
