I took another step toward him. His gaze cut to meet mine.
“Chapter Thirteen.” He tried to grin.
It wasn’t funny. I didn’t want that chapter in our story.
“You knew…” he whispered.
I didn’t. Couldn’t he see that? Had I trulyknown, I would have gone to absolutely any length to keep him off the field. The truth? I knew nothing and yet seeing him in that hospital bed, it appeared as though I’d known everything.
“Knew what?” Brooke looked at me.
I shook my head. “Nothing.”
She returned her attention to Cage. “The doctor told us it’s a spinal contusion and they’re going to run more tests tomorrow, but he’s hopeful that you’ll regain all bodily function afterthe swelling goes down. You’ll be back on the field in no time.”
I grimaced. How could she say that? What mother watches their son take a hit that could have ended their life and says that? I loved Brooke, but in that moment I lost a little respect for her. I hoped she said it for his sake and not for hers.
“We’ll see,” Cage said.
“There’s a ton of players in the waiting room wanting to see you, but they won’t let them while you’re still in ICU. Your doctor would like to move you out by tomorrow, Tuesday at the latest.”
Cage chuckled a little. “He said I’m clogging up the ICU. Even a few patients that know I’m here want to come see me. Catheter bags, IVs, and all. It’s crazy.”
“You sound so out of breath.”
“Hit the area that controls my breathing.”
Brooke narrowed her eyes and nodded. “You won.” She smiled a little. “Your teammates out there… they’re wearing their Super Bowl Championship shirts and hats.”
Cage smiled. I hadn’t seen any sign of movement with the rest of his body, but he managed to smile in spite of the gigantic elephant in the room—he appeared paralyzed from the neck down.
Brooke was smiling. He was smiling. Me? I couldn’t take another second of it. That weakness? I was ready to acknowledge it, rather it demanded my acknowledgment. Running into the bathroom, I grabbed my hair and pulled it away from my face as I vomited into the toilet.
“Oh, Lake…” Brooke rubbed my back. “You poor thing. Here.”
As I unfolded my body, feeling a bit of relief, she handed me a wet paper towel. I wiped my mouth.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt like doing the same thing since they took him off the field. Nerves. Fear. It’s taxing on the body.”
Brooke was right. I needed to get rid of that feeling that had been plaguing me. It was ridiculous to fear what had already come to fruition. Cage was in the ICU, paralyzed—and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
I stepped out of the bathroom and shrugged as Cage eyed me, his brow furrowed.
“Could you give us a few minutes, Mom?”
She brushed her hand over his again, then smiled at me. “Of course.” The tears in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed by me. Brooke held strong for everyone else, but at some point she too would have to let go of her emotions.
“Thanks,” I whispered before she turned to leave.
I just stared at him. It didn’t seem real.
“Lake … touch me.”
My eyes inched up his body. “Where?”
He chuckled. “Anywhere. My chest, my arm, my leg. Reach your hand under the blankets and stroke my cock—just don’t pull out my catheter. Anywhere, just touch me because you look so fucking scared right now.”
