“Quincy, you with me, buddy?”
Hearing that fucking name rebooted every system he had, and Quinn lifted his head to glower at Niko. “The fuck did you call me?”
Nollan wiggled the giant ice cube he was holding to Quinn’s damp neck. “Wow, you were totally right. The name thing worked.”
Nausea was still rolling through him, but Quinn patted Niko’s arm to let him know he was okay to stand, and then his mind was on August and how fast he could get to him.
“I didn’t bring my car,” said Quinn. “August dropped me off. Should we Uber?”
Niko didn’t have his vehicle because he hitched a ride with August everywhere, but Quinn didn’t want to waste time going back to the rink to pick up the car.
“I’ll drive you,” said Kenneth. “I was going on a dinner break after our meeting anyway.”
Quinn hated the idea of his famous lawyer being stuck in a vehicle with two smelly hockey players, but Kenneth’s way was faster, and it would probably include tinted windows.
“Vancouver is doomed without their star player, so it’s the least I can do while I cheer on Toronto.”
Niko’s mouth curved into a snarl, turning the scar on his lip white. “Is that fucking so? You’re going to say that while I’m standing right here?”
Kenneth shrugged, brushing away Niko’s fury like a wolf facing off with an angry kitten. “Take it as a pre-emptive apology. Now, stop your hissing and let’s go. We need to bring Quinn to the hospital.”
Niko didn’t say anything, but he was scowling as they left the room and followed Kenneth to the elevator.
Nollan leaned into Quinn so he could speak without being overheard. “Just keep taking deep breaths, Quinn. And what was that banter with Niko about? Your lawyer is a badass.”
Quinn had no idea. Kenneth was a lawyer, which meant he was gifted with the ability to get under people’s skin, and it wasn’t like Niko didn’t have a short fuse.
“Just promise you’ll tackle Niko if they start throwing punches,” said Quinn.
And because Nollan was Nollan, he looked thrilled by the order, as if he would love nothing more than to jump into a fight.
Quinn needed a drink and Lorazepam.
“The way we treat ACL injuries is very clear-cut,” said the doctor whose name Quinn was struggling to remember. She seemed like a nice woman, but the only thing he could hear was his rapidly beating heart as he stared at the door August was hidden behind.
“He’s going to rest it for a few weeks to get the swelling down while working with a physiotherapist to strengthen the knee before surgery. He’ll have to keep it in a brace and walk with crutches because he can’t put weight on the knee. He will be in pain, but we’ll give him a medication schedule and proper pain management. If all goes well, he could be looking at returning to the game early next season, but we’ll talk about time frames after the reconstruction.”
Quinn needed to get them out of the province. Vancouver was cursed—he was sure of it.
“We’ll be leaving for Nova Scotia once he’s discharged,” Quinn told her. “I have a physiotherapist lined up for Eren, but I’m sure he’ll be able to work August into his schedule. Are there any knee surgeons in Halifax you would trust with him?”
Quinn knew he was being curt, but it was hard to voice his current level of exhaustion. He didn’t care how stupid he was for wanting to leave the province. He didn’t care if he had to pay Kenneth, the surgeons or the whole Vancouver team to come to Nova Scotia. All he knew was that he needed to get out of the city and away from the chaos, at least for a little while.
“I know an excellent surgeon in Halifax,” said the doctor. “I will prepare Mr. Snow’s charts and get in touch with him right away. We’ll discharge him tomorrow, just so he has time to work some of the pain medication out of his system. I know you have a lot on your plate, so I’m reluctant to leave him in your care until he’s able to walk on his own.”
Quinn could have hugged her for her kindness. That meant the nursing staff would be there if August needed anything, and Quinn could make transportation arrangements.
“I’ll get everything ready on my end,” said the doctor. “Take care, Mr. Harlow.”
Quinn looked longingly at the door after she walked away, but he forced himself to turn around and look for his entourage. Kenneth hadn’t come in with them after he dropped them off, but Niko and Nollan were sitting in the waiting chairs lined up along the wall, and Harrison and Jett Killinger had shown up during his conversation with the doctor.
When Quinn looked at them, they jumped up and came over, their expressions etched with anxiety.
“It looks like his ACL is going to need reconstruction,” said Quinn. “There’s nothing you guys can do, and you have a game tonight—against each other. You should leave so you have time to shake this off, okay? I’ll be cheering for all of you.”
Jett pulled Quinn into a hug that was as warm as sunshine. “Niko told us about August, and I’m so upset for you guys. Harrison and I wanted to come and make sure everyone was good, and we figured you would want a key to the lake house just in case the playoffs continue past tonight. You would have to bus with Eren, right?”
Quinn nodded and drew back from the hug. “No flying for us. I want to stay tonight just in case the Bigfoots win, and then the guys can have a chance to visit Eren and August before we leave tomorrow. I wasn’t expecting to invite my family over early, so I’m sorry for intruding.”
