Page 57 of Testing the Goalie

Eventually, the referees break up the fight, and people finally clue in that Ben is still lying in the net, barely moving.A medic comes out a moment later, and the arena quiets almost instantly as they assess him.

Everyone must sense that this isn’t good.

“You said everyone was going to be okay,” Katy yells at Rio as they help Ben off the ice on a stretcher.

I put my hand on my sister’s shoulder to calm her down. “It’s not his fault, Katy,” I remind her, and she nods with a pout. I love that she hasn’t even officially met Ben yet and is already protective over him. “I need to get down there and figure out what’s happening. Can you catch a ride with Rio?” I ask her, then turn to Rio to confirm it’s good with him as well.

“I’ve got her,” he assures me. “You go be with your man.”

I nod and rush out of the stands toward the area for players only. Of course, I’m stopped by a member of the Koalas team, but thankfully, they let me pass when I show them my GSU credentials.

“Ian,” Calvin shouts, and I race over. Thank God he got the job on the coaching team so I know at least one person in this area.

“Where is Ben? What the hell happened out there?” I ask once I’m close.

“He’s being rushed to the hospital. When the players hit him, he twisted his knee and couldn’t put any weight on it. They need to do X-rays and other tests to figure out how severe the injury is. Obviously, it’s nothing life-threatening, but depending on how bad things are, he might not be able to play for the rest of the season.”

I suck in a breath, and he nods. This has the potential to really mess with Ben’s head. Hockey means everything to him, and if he has to sit out for the rest of the season, he’ll hate every second of it. If the team loses their winning streak with him out, he’s going to blame himself.

“Okay, I’m going to go be with him,” I state.

“I’ll be there once the game is over,” he assures me, and I dip my chin, rushing out of the arena.

It almost feels surreal that this is happening right now, but I don’t have time to panic. Ben isn’t going to die, and my sweet boy needs me to be his strength right now. I can be that for him.

It’s what daddies are for.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

BEN

Tears are streaming down my face as the X-ray tech forces my leg straight so she can take a picture of my bones. I’ve never been a big crier, but I’ve also never experienced pain like this. I’m praying nothing is broken.

When the guys slammed into me, I instantly knew something was fucked from the way my leg tangled into the net, and I felt something pop.

What will I do if this injury prevents me from playing the rest of the season? I don’t want to let my team down. Not after we’ve been doing so well all season. Our team has been working like a well-oiled machine, but all it takes is one piece not to work well, and everything falls apart.

Fuck!

Once the X-ray is done, I’m sent for an MRI for a different look at my leg. By the time I’m back in my room, I am spiraling and exhausted. But there is a man who always makes everything better, waiting for me when I arrive, and if I had the strength to leap into his arms, I would.

“You’re here,” I whisper, and he smiles as the nurse helps situate me in the hospital bed.

“I’ll step out and give you two a moment,” Melissa, the team’s trainer, who has been by my side the entire time, states before leaving the room behind the nurse.

“Of course I’m here,” Ian says, pulling up a chair and sitting beside the bed. “I saw what happened and rushed over here once I found out where you were being taken. Sorry I wasn’t here sooner.”

I shake my head and reach for his hand, squeezing it tightly. “It’s okay. You’re here now, and that’s all that matters. But where’s your sister?” I ask, suddenly remembering I was supposed to meet her today.

“Rio said he would take her back to my place,” he shares, and I nod, settling into the shitty hospital bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Like a truck ran over my leg,” I grumble.

“I’m pretty sure that’s to be expected. Have they given you any hints as to what’s going on?”

I shake my head and sigh. “I wish, but so far, nothing. I’ve gotten an X-ray and an MRI. Now, I guess it’s just a waiting game. Melissa has a solid poker face. If she’s clued into anything, she isn’t letting it slip.”

“No matter what happens, I’ll be here for you. You’re going to get through this,” he assures me, and I want to believe him, but I’m struggling.

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