My heart is in my throat as I leave. I have no idea what is going to happen.
But I have a feeling that everything just changed.
For both of us.
Chapter Twenty-Two
NOAH
“Is there anything you need?” Mom asks, not for the first time this week.
“I’m okay.”
I lean back, trying to adjust my pillow, but moving my arm makes my entire body ache. I try to hide the pain, but Mom is better than that. It’s like she has an eagle eye for any kind of physical pain her children might be in.
“You’re not. Do you need more pain meds?”
The last thing I want is to be in a drug-induced stupor. I was in and out of it all last week, and I don’t want to feel like that again. Even though my shoulder and head are down to a dull throb, I’d rather suck it up and deal with it than be on more meds.
“I don’t want them, Mom.”
“Should we check with the doctor?”
Mom is pressing the buzzer on the side of my bed before I even have a chance to tell her no. Dad is still sitting in the corner, trying not to laugh.
It’s not like I can blame her for fussing. I’ve only been given a brief recap of what happened out there on the ice and that’s it.From the sound of it, I don’t want to see the footage of me going down.
The nurse, Kyla, strides into the room with purpose. She’s been one of my main nurses during the day, and has kept me sane. Hopefully I’ll only be here a few more days.
“Everything okay in here?” she asks, checking my stats.
“I’m fine.”
“He’s in pain.”
My mom and I answer at the same time.
“Do you want anything, Noah?” Kyla asks.
“I don’t.” I adjust ever so slightly to face my mom. Her face has been showing nothing but worry for the last however many days I’ve been in the hospital. Trying to count the days is too much. “Mom, do you think you could maybe go to the cafeteria and get me something to eat?”
“Is that okay?” she asks Kyla.
“That’s more than fine.” Kyla shoots a wink in my direction.
“Okay. I’ll be back.” Mom drops a kiss on my cheek before leaving the room.
“Just buzz if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Kyla.”
“And for what it’s worth, the team is going to miss you.”
“Wait, what?” I do a double take at her words, a fierce slice of pain cutting through my head.
She looks chagrined. “You haven’t heard?”
“Heard what?” I look to Dad, and he’s scrubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw. “What aren’t you telling me?”
