“Come back to an exam room and let me see your chest.”
“I can strip right here.” I looked around. “Most people in this room have seen me naked.”
“I don’t need you naked, Fin. Come with me.”
I did as she said. Once she closed the door, I removed my shirt. “I’m fine.”
She came closer and lifted her fingers to my chest. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the contusion. “Any trouble breathing?”
“No.”
“How about pain?” She pushed on my sides.
I winced in one spot. “Okay, that spot is tender.”
Lacy reached for my wrist. “Your pulse is rapid.” Looking at her watch, she continued to hold my wrist. “It’s ninety beats per minute.”
“That’s within the normal range.”
“Not for an athlete like you. It could be a symptom of something else.” She pressed her lips together. “I’d like to do an x-ray and CT scan.”
“Why?”
“You could have a broken rib. The CT scan will look at your lungs and heart.”
“Lacy, I’m fine.”
“That’s what we’ll find out.”
Chapter 29
Vee
A few hours earlier
The sky was still dark as I made my way to Maker’s Mark. The bright side was it must have also been too early for the reporters. I made it onto the grounds with nothing more than a wave. I’d just sat down at my desk when there was a knock on my office door. Being also too early for Jen or anyone else to be in the outer office, I anticipated my visitor and called out, “Come in.”
Don Tilson arrived with two paper cups of coffee in hand. “You’re here.” He’d never been one for pleasantries.
“I am.” I stood and took a cup. “Don, let’s sit over here.” I motioned to the comfortable chairs and sofa near the windows. “Tell me. How long do these meetings typically last?” I sat in a singular chair and crossed my ankles beneath my chair.
Don Tilson sat in another singular chair, sitting forward with his legs spread. We were separated by a small table holding a green silk plant that looked remarkably real. Beyond the windowpanes a rosy hue began to crack in the eastern horizon, signs that the day was beginning.
Don replied, “That depends on how upset or happy Reid was.”
Nodding my head, I removed the coffee lid. Seeing the black coffee, I blew on the contents. “I was wondering, was it all about Dad’s thoughts or did you provide your own?”
“It went both ways.”
I straightened my neck and shoulders and took the bull by the horns. “What did you think of yesterday’s play?”
“We won.”
Putting the coffee on the small table to cool, I nodded. “We did. Any concerns?”
Tilson sat back, crossing his ankle over his other knee. “The Coopers need to keep improving. Dennison is back to full pads. Although with the bye and tomorrow’s service, he won’t get back into the action until Saturday.”
“No doubt you’ll get him in game-day shape.”
