“Look, it’s Daddy!” The little girl points to where Owen is standing in his skates, waiting for us.
“Owen!” Gina yelps, and we all hurry over to crowd around him.
“He’s breathing. His pulse is steady, but he’s out cold.” Owen’s expression is serious. “He hit his head on the ice when he came down, so they’re taking him to the hospital to check for bleeding, swelling.”
“Maverick…” His name slips from my lips, and Knox catches my upper arms as my knees buckle.
“Hang on,” Knox’s voice is gentle. “Mav’s got a hard head. He’ll be okay.”
Haddy rushes out to where we’re all standing. “They’re taking him to University Hospital. Gavin is riding in the ambulance. It’s unusual, but Coach Leek is letting him sub out.”
“I’m going with you.” It’s not even a question.
Gina looks back to where Owen is circling the ice, a worried expression on his face. “I’d better stay here with Maddie. We’re going to be worried sick. Tell me everything that happens, and we’ll get there as soon as we can.”
The big hospital is less than five miles from the arena, and when we get there, Maverick is already in a private suite with monitors all over him and staff moving silently in and out.
Haddy tells them I’m family so I’m not made to stay in the main lobby alone, dying. Instead, we’re all huddled in the smaller waiting room outside Mav’s private room, watching through the glass for any sign of life.
Tears are on my cheeks at the sight of him motionless on the bed. A doctor comes out. Haddy is holding Lucy, and Gavin stands behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. At some point he changed out of his gear, but his hair is still damp.
I’m standing beside them holding Knox’s arm, and Austin and Edward are on her other side waiting expectantly for any news.
The doctor’s expression is grave, and he holds an iPad as he explains Mav’s condition. “He suffered a severe concussion. Until he regains consciousness, it’s impossible to know the extent of his injuries. I want to do a CT scan immediately to be safe. We can’t wait for him to wake up.”
“Do whatever you need to do.” Haddy’s voice is firm, but I detect a slight wobble. “I can sign whatever waiver…”
“It’s not necessary. We’re contracted with the team to provide emergency care as needed.”
“How long will it take to get the results?” Austin asks.
“We should have them pretty quickly. I’ll get the order in, and we can take him back in the hour.”
Haddy and her cousins agree, and the doctor leaves us to start the process.
“I need to call the family and let them know what’s happening.” Haddy looks up with tears in her eyes as Gavin takes the baby. “I don’t know how I’ll tell Aunt Dylan.”
“Looks like I get to do the honors.” Knox shows us his vibrating phone.
Dylan’s bright hazel eyes, just like her son’s, and curly dark hair fill the screen.
“Of course,” Haddy whispers, putting a trembling hand on her forehead. “They were watching the game. You talk to her. I’ll call Mom and Dad. They’re probably frantic as well.”
“I’ll call Dad,” Austin says, turning to Edward. “Will you call your mom and tell them what happened?”
“It’s too early to call anyone,” Edward replies calmly. “We won’t have any answers until the CT scan is done. We should wait.”
“I guess it’s okay to wait if that’s what you think.” Haddy looks up at him. “Mom will be upset if I don’t call her, though.”
“Do what you need to do, babe.” Gavin kisses the side of her temple, putting his hand on Lucy’s back.
The baby rests her head on his chest sucking her little fingers. Her blue eyes are wide, almost like she can sense the tension in all of us.
“Do you think it’s okay if we go in there?” My voice is so small in this big space.
I’m almost afraid to ask, but I’m dying to get in there and hold his hand, tell him we’re all here worrying about him.
“I don’t see why it would hurt anything,” Edward says, and we glance around at the rest of the group all on their phones.
