“You’re being ridiculous.” He reaches out, curling his palm around my waist, and I recoil so violently that I stumble backward, losing my footing as I reach the stairs. I call out but it’s too late. My heel misses the edge, and a sharp sting shoots through my leg as I roll my ankle, crying out in pain as I fall.
I slam my eyes shut just as my shoulder hits the railing and my knee connects with the concrete, seconds before I land with a jolt at the bottom.
My head spins, and I blink a few times as I try to sit up.
Flames lick at my ankle, as nausea rolls through me, and I buckle over again, flinching when someone stops me from hitting the ground.
The words “I’ve got you” flit through my mind, and when I don’t recognize the voice as Vance’s, I relax, glancing up to find Beckett beside me, with Luke rushing down the stairs.
“Fuck, Keeley. Are you okay?” Luke asks, slipping in beside Beckett.
“Thank you, Beckett,” I whisper, unable to answer Luke with pain so excruciating, it steals my words for a moment. Tears prick my eyes, and I try to bite my cheek to stave them off, but it’s no use. I’m too far gone.
“I think I’ve done some damage.” I point to my bare foot, drawing both Beckett’s and Luke’s eyes as I search around for my stiletto.
“Jesus. Fuck, Keeley. Luckily it was only a few steps.” Luke shivers while Beckett stays silent, not so subtly reaching for his phone.
“Can you stand?” Beckett asks after a beat, and I nod as I wipe my eyes.
“I think so,” I lie, hoping I’m not about to collapse again when I give it a try.
More players must be exiting the locker rooms because the sound increases in the halls as a few of them walk past. Luke’s attention shifts before he calls out to Easton, making me cringe. “Ugh, I don’t need my little brother to help.”
“I know. But if you were Lainey, I’d want to be here.”
I blow out a breath because I can’t fault him for that. He’d definitely want to be here if it was his sister. Though Luke and Easton are very different people.
Easton chooses today to actually listen when Luke talks to him, and the next thing you know, he’s by my side while Reed and Zane hover above him.
Maybethisis why their group chat’s called Keeley’s support group. They manifested this fall.
“I’m fine. Can you all please move so I can stand up?”
Beckett does as I ask, immediately stepping back, and I move him up the ranks to being my favorite player. Reed shifts back too, but the other three don’t move.
“Fine.” I flick the stiletto off my other foot and throw my hands in the air, allowing two of the guys to lift me to stand. Idon’t bother seeing who. I close my eyes and focus on not crying more than I already am. I can do this. I can.
“Oh, Jesus.” The pain’s worse than before and bile rises in my throat as I fight not to vomit. “I can’t put weight on it.”
“Fuck, that’s not good.” Luke’s always helpful responses make me laugh, and I shake my head.
“I think I need Robin,” I say, referring to our team doctor, and within seconds he’s standing in front of me. “Wow, that was fast.”
“I was in the locker room. Wyatt came to get me.”
“Thanks, Wyatt,” I call out over my shoulder before turning back to Robin.
“What’s happened?”
“I can’t put weight on my foot.”
“Okay. Sit down. I’m going to take a look.”
Easton and Zane lower me back to the steps and once again hover above me, making me anxious. “Would you please go home? I’m fine. Robin’s looking after me.”
No one moves until Coach Pierce’s booming voice echoes through the space. “Home now. You’re not helping standing around like fucking vultures.”
I wave my thanks when the crowd starts to disperse, momentarily distracted until Robin grabs my foot. “Holy mother of?—”
