"Get him out of here," Ashton says to Holden and Crew.
They grab Cole and physically drag him toward the door. He's shouting something about pressing charges, but I can barely hear him over the ringing in my ears.
"Let me see." Sutton takes my hand gently.
Even her light touch makes me wince.
"It's broken," she says, her voice shaking. "Declan, your finger is broken."
"It's fine."
"It's not fine! You have a game in less than a week!" She's pulling out her phone. "I'm calling an Uber. We're going to the emergency room."
"It’s not a big deal."
"Now, Declan, we're going now."
I don't argue.
Ashton helps me to the front porch while Sutton waits for the Uber.
"That was stupid," he says.
"I know."
"Coach is going to kill you."
"I know."
"Was it worth it?"
I look at Sutton, who's pacing on the sidewalk, phone pressed to her ear as she talks to someone—probably Keira.
"Yeah. It was worth it."
The Uber arrives, and Sutton helps me into the back seat. Her hand is shaking when she reaches for mine.
"I'm so sorry," she says. "This is all my fault."
"How is this your fault?"
"Cole only came here because of me. Because he won't leave me alone. And now you're hurt.” Her voice breaks. "God, Declan, what if you can't play?"
"Hey." I cup her face with my good hand. "This is not your fault. Cole's a creep who can't take no for an answer. That's on him."
"But you hit him because of me."
"I hit him because he grabbed you.” I kiss her forehead. "I'd do it again."
"Don't say that."
"It's true."
She leans against me for the rest of the ride, her hand carefully holding my injured one.
The ER waiting room is depressing. We check in, and the nurse takes one look at my hand and grimaces.
"Hockey fight?" she asks.
