A week had passed since they last saw one another. Ryne was still feeling the after affects from the hit that knocked him out. The morning after their quasi date he caught a cab for the short distance to the dome. He’d barely been able to move when he woke, and phoned Stafford after catching his bearings.
The phone had scarcely rung on his end when Stafford answered. “I guess you’re feeling it right about now.”
Groaning Ryne told him his status. “Yeah, you could say I’m definitely feeling that hit. In fact, I plan on calling my good friend that sent me to the ice to thank him for the welcoming.”
“I’m headed over to the dome,” Stafford said. “Think you can meet me in, say, an hour?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there.” He disconnected the call and threw his arm over his eyes. Just that small movement caused him pain. He hoped it wasn’t something serious. He’d encountered numerous injuries over the years, but for some reason he was really feeling this one.
He eased off the bed and made his way to the shower. Even standing under the hot spray did nothing to allay his pain. In fact, as he dressed, he had to sit down to catch his breath. He was worried. He didn’t need a season-ending injury.
His eye caught something lying on the floor. It was small and he wasn’t quite sure what it was. He had a devil of a time leaning over to discover that it was an earring. Smiling to himself he realized Jen must have lost it the night before. He wanted to call her but elected to wait until he met with Stafford to see what fate would be dealing him. Running his hand through his hair, he already knew that his fate had been sealed. He was almost sure he’d injured his hip again. It had been a nagging injury off and on for years, but this time he knew it was more serious than in the past. The night before he’d ignored the throbbing, thinking it would go away, but deep down he knew better.
He phoned the front desk and requested a cab. He’d never be able to walk the few short blocks to the dome. Limping through the lobby, he made his way to the waiting taxi. He didn’t know where he got the strength, but somehow, he was able to make it to the trainer’s room. Stafford took one look at him and was by Ryne’s side in a heartbeat, “What’d you do now?”
“You tell me. I haven’t been in this much pain since…” he gutted out through clenched teeth. “Since, I don’t know!” He lay there as Stafford examined him, knowing all along what his conclusion would be.
“I’m going to send you for X-rays and an MRI. When did it start hurting? And why didn’t you call me sooner?”
He racked his hand across his face not liking the news Stafford had delivered. “Last night.”
“Last night?”
“When I went back to my room, I started stiffening up but didn’t think anything of it. I thought after a good night’s sleep it would disappear. When I woke up this morning, I could hardly move and called you right away.”
Ryne feared by the look on Stafford’s face he’d be out the remainder of the season. His previous injuries were openly disclosed to the team when he’d been traded. Yes, he’d recovered quickly but he was older now, and he had awkwardly landed on his side. His hip had been the farthest thing from his mind after having blacked out. He’d worried more about a concussion.
Ryne lay on the table and listened as Stafford made the arrangements. He also heard him phone the team orthopedic surgeon, and knew he’d definitely reached the end of his season. With less than three weeks remaining, even if his injury wasn’t too bad, he still wouldn’t make it back in time even for the playoffs. He took a long deep breath, easing it out slowly from his lungs. Yep, my season’s over.
His tests were scheduled later that morning. Stafford drove him to the hospital and waited. All the while Ryne knew what the outcome would be.
It almost felt like the end of the world. His thoughts immediately went to Jen. If he were out for the season, he’d have plenty of time to begin planning the fundraiser. He’d at least have something productive to keep his mind off his injury while he recuperated.
“I’m afraid you’re going to be out for the season.” Ryne heard the words that he knew had been coming since he first woke that morning. “You’ve injured this hip before.”
“I have.”
“You need to stay off that leg. This is a pretty severe injury this time, especially with its recurrence. I’m putting you on crutches for the next couple of weeks, but ultimately you need to take it easy. Then, we’ll work on muscle strengthening exercises.”
He lay there listening to the doctor. He’d been through this before, although his season hadn’t been put on hold. He’d returned to the ice pretty quickly then, but this time was different. The blow he’d taken had been one of the hardest of his career. Still, he was thankful he hadn’t received a concussion.
Stafford shook his head as Ryne hobbled out on the crutches. “Couldn’t you have wheeled me to the car?”
“You need your practice, that’s for sure,” Stafford claimed as he opened the car door. Ryne stumbled into the car, calling out in pain. “See, what did I tell you?” He pointed to the crutches that Ryne held out to him. “Will you be okay at the hotel all by yourself?”
“It’s not like I haven’t been on crutches before, but yeah I’ll be fine.”
By the time he returned to his room, Ryne was exhausted. He fell into bed and didn’t wake until the next day. He spent the next several days undergoing treatment only to return to his hotel room completely worn out where sleep claimed him.
He’d thought of Jen often but hadn’t found the strength to phone her. He didn’t want her to know the extent of his injury. The team had kept it pretty quiet and on game nights scratched him from the lineup of available players. They’d kept him out of the media eyes, and he was more than agreeable to their tactics.
Jacob was doing his best to keep his injury from the public. The players knew he was done for the season, but they didn’t want to add any fuel for possible further injury when he returned. Hockey players were a breed unlike any other. If they knew of a nagging injury, many would wreak havoc trying to cause reinjury. Ryne didn’t want or need any further damage to that hip.
He hobbled through the doors to his room and rested against the doorframe. He was tired and wasn’t bouncing back as quickly as he once did. He made his way to the couch. Throwing his crutches beside him, he noticed Jen’s earring sitting on the table. He’d forgotten about it. Running his hands across his face, he reached for his phone. He missed her and, in all honesty, needed to see her. The Generals were on the road. He had his daily therapy but other than that had nothing on his calendar.
It was almost five o’clock and he hoped she’d answer. He knew the school day ended around three o’clock. Her phone rang several times. Just as he was ready to leave a message, she answered. She was out breath as though she’d run to the phone. “Hello.”
“Jen, hey it’s me, Ryne.”
“Oh, hi there. Shouldn’t you be on a plane right about now?” He needed to be honest and tell her about his injury. She followed the team too closely not to realize they’d been protecting him.
“About that. Are you busy tonight? I found something of yours, and I want to return it. If you haven’t eaten yet, what do you say about coming over for dinner?”
“No, I haven’t eaten. It’s still a little early for me.” She paused as though she were pondering his question. “Umm, are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you to join me. How about seven? Is that too late?”
“Ah no, that’s just fine.”
“See you then.” He stared at his phone when he ended the conversation. He wasn’t sure how he would address his injury with her, but he’d find a way. He hadn’t intended to nap until he heard a pounding on his door and was jolted awake.
“Ryne, are you in there?”
He had a difficult time getting up, so he called out that he’d be right there. He reached for his crutches and lost his balance falling to the floor. He knew she heard him yell out in pain.
“Coming,” he called as he slowly stood and gimped towards the door opening it. Her eyes flew from his face to the crutches that precariously kept him upright. A fine sheen had broken out on his brow. He was in pain—a lot of pain—after his fall.
Before he knew it, he felt her arm close around his waist. “Here let me help you.” She shut the door and eased him toward the couch. “What happened to you?”
“First off, how’s the cold?”
“Cold, my cold? You’re concerned about me and my cold? Forget about that, what happened to you?”
Pointing to his hip. “Hip pointer injury.”
“That sounds painful.” She scrunched her face.
“It is. And I don’t think it’s gotten much better.”
“When did this happen?”
“Last week when I was upended.”
“You mean you’ve been hurt this entire time and haven’t bothered calling me?”
He knew he was in trouble. Cocking his head, he drew in his lips and nodded.
“Why didn’t you call? I would have been here in a heartbeat.”
“I know. We’ve been trying to keep my injury under wraps.”
“And who would I tell?”
“Jen, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you’d tell anyone. We’re trying to keep my injury out of the news.”
“Why?”
“So I won’t be a target when I return.”
“A target?”
“Yeah. Some guys don’t let you live down certain injuries. This isn’t my first hip injury and may not be my last…”
“So that’s why you’ve been scratched from the lineup? When are you planning to return? From the looks of it, you can hardly walk let alone get up on skates.”
“It’s going to be awhile.”
“So you’ll be on the playoff team.” She caught the far off look in his eyes. “Well, won’t you?” He shook his head. “You are returning, right?”
“Honey, not this year.”
“Ryne. Is it that serious?”
“Doc says it is and unfortunately I have to agree. He thinks it’s going to take a couple of months to fully recover. On the bright side, I have some time on my hands, so we can jump right in on the fundraiser.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. I need something to do, so what better way to spend my time. Right?”
She nodded and reached for his hands. “I’m so sorry.”
“I know, but injuries are a part of the game. You learn to deal with them.” He squeezed her hands. “Oh, I forgot, I have something for you.” He reached for her earring and handed it to her.
“I was wondering where I lost this.”
“I found it on the carpeting. You must have lost it went you went to lie down.”
“Thanks,” she said smiling up at him. “My mom gave these to me as an early graduation gift. I was worried that I’d never find it. Thanks.”
He caught the faraway look in her eyes again but decided not to comment. Instead he asked, “So what’s for dinner?”
They ordered room service, but this time she was able to enjoy her meal. She took the last bite of her grilled salmon. “This beats a grilled cheese sandwich hands down.”
“Glad to hear,” he said, reaching for his glass of wine. Taking a sip her eyes glimmered in the light. She looked happy.
Just as he was ready to comment further on the fundraiser, his napkin fell from his lap. As he reached for it an intense pain seared through his hip. Gasping, he grabbed his side. She jumped from her seat, knocking her water glass over in the process. His eyes were tightly closed as he dealt with the throbbing. He felt her hand tease the side of his face. “What happened?”
He drew his lips in and shook his head. “Just my hip,” he said, sighing through the unpleasantness. It took a moment for the twinge to pass when he opened his eyes. She was kneeling beside him with her hand draped across the back of his chair, her look of happiness replaced with one of concern. “I’m okay now.”
He raised his hand and cupped the side of her face. As he moved in, he saw her eyes change color. He ran his lips across hers and felt her warm to his kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he drew her closer. He was enjoying the kiss when she pulled away for no apparent reason. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No,” she said as she grabbed his napkin from the floor dabbing up the spilt water. “Look what I did. I’m such a klutz.”
“You’re not a klutz.” He reached for her hand. Taking it in his, he smiled up at her. “You were reacting to my cry of pain.”
“Are you better?”
“Much, especially after that kiss.” He watched the red blush creep into her face. She started to pull away, but instead he pulled her hand and she fell hard onto his lap. He cried out again.
She jumped up all excited. “Oh my,” she exclaimed. “Now I really hurt you.”
“You didn’t hurt me.” He pulled her close and she rested her head against his chest. “I’m fine.” He tightened his hold. Rubbing his thumb against her cheek, he leaned in and softly kissed her lips. “Relax.”
They sat in the quiet of the room for a few seconds before he spoke again. “I was reaching to pick up my napkin and that’s when I felt the twinge.”
“Twinge, it seemed more than a twinge. You groaned in pain.”
“You have me there. It felt like a lightning bolt searing through my side. I don’t know what that was all about, but it’s better now. Enough about me and my injury. Let’s discuss the fundraiser.”
She described everything she’d done so far. Then he told her he’d spoken with Ed and had his full support. They could use the team any way they needed. Not only did they discuss her showing of photographs, they decided on an auction and dinner too. By the time they hashed out the details, it was well past midnight, and they’d long since forgotten the episode with his hip.
Jen tried to suppress a yawn and that’s when he decided to call it a night. He led her to the door. Smoothing her hair from her face, he leaned in and gave her one last kiss. “Thanks for everything— I had a great time. I think we got a lot accomplished,” he said while running his forefinger across her brow. “I’ll phone Ed tomorrow. I have several ideas, and I’m sure he’ll support them. I’ll call you.”
She smiled and the effervescence of her eyes glowed. At this moment, she seemed happy. “You look beautiful and I hate to let you go.” Teasing her lower lip with his thumb, he kissed her one last time. “But I must,” he exclaimed as he opened the door. “Call me when you get home.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said as she turned away.
“It’s late and I’d feel better if you did.”
“Fine,” she called over her shoulder as she started down the hallway.
“Don’t forget to call…Careful driving home,” he proclaimed louder than he intended. She was definitely making an impact on his life. He’d been hurt by Whitney and her ways. He closed the door and leaned against it. Jen’s different. She just might be the one for me. He made his way to the couch where he wrote down several ideas he intended to discuss with Ed the following morning. He got lost in his thoughts and heard the ringing of his cell.
“I’m home,” he heard her say.
“Glad to hear. Sweet dreams.”