Page 21 of Tough Score

Sam walks over to the left side of my bed, staying out of Dolly's way on my right, and Coach Bex is standing at the end of my bed.

"You gave us a scare there for a minute," Sam says.

My gaze shifts between Sam and Coach Bex before returning to Keely. The warmth of her presence fills the room in a way that makes everything else fade into the background.

“How are you feeling after surgery? Dr. Morgan told us that it went well,” Coach Bex says.

“Like I’ve been run over by a car,” I joke lightly but instantly regret it when the pain kicks back in and I wince.

My eyes find Keely again, and I can see that my pain hurts her too. A shimmer with unshed emotion in her eyes.

"Hey... I'm going to be okay. Just like you told me I would be," I say, offering up my hand for her to take.

She flashes a look at Sam and Bex but then heads straight for me and takes my hand.

The memory of her holding my hand while I lay on the wet black asphalt and then again, the entire ride to the hospital flash through my memory.

“I was so scared,” she whispers, biting her lower lip. “When you pushed me out of the way…and then you...”

There's guilt in her eyes, but there shouldn't be.

“Keely, what happened last night wasn't your fault. I hope you know that.” I interrupt gently, wanting to erase that memory from her mind as much as my own. “You’re safe now. That’s what matters. I’d do it a thousand times over just to keep you away from harm.”

An understanding passes between us, and I can see her shoulders relax just a fraction. I roll my thumb over her hand and the warmth in her cheeks flushes deeper—a thrill rushing through me at the sight of being able to soothe her, even if it's a small amount.

"Reeve," Coach Bex speaks up, drawing my focus towards him. “We need to discuss your rehabilitation. Dr. Morgan says that we should get you working with a physical therapist as soon as possible to give us the best results in your rehabilitation.”

I'm relieved that Coach Bex wants to get right to work. He's not the kind of person to give false hope. The fact that he thinks it's worth trying to get me the best care to get me back on the ice instills new confidence in me. And I believe him more than I believe anyone else.

"Okay, what's the plan?" I ask, hopeful.

Dolly moves around the room. Sam steps back and out of her way as she comes over to my left side and pulls the blanket up over my knee to check the dressing around it.

When she seems pleased with it, she lays the blanket back down gently and smiles up at me.

"I'll leave you four to chat while I go check on some other patients. I'll be back soon to check on you, okay? No impromptu performances while I'm gone. I don't want to miss anything good; it's the only perk of this job," she teases and then turns to leave.

"Thanks, Dolly," I say.

"The plan is for the Hawkeyes to bring on a full-time physical therapist to help you. You'll have daily one-on-one sessions to get you back in the best shape we can. Penelope checked and there is an open apartment down the hall from you in The Commons. We're moving her in so that she's around for your recovery."

"You're moving her in down the hall? Is that necessary?" I ask.

I feel Keely's hand go a little slack in mine. She's not holding on as tight as she was.

“We think so,” Sam says, and I’m drawn back to the urgency in his tone. “And you’re getting Keely.”

My heart leaps at the mention of her name, and I can’t help the way my gaze snaps to hers. There’s a moment of silent acknowledgment, a shared understanding of what this could mean for both of us. Her freckled cheeks flush brighter, and for an instant, I forget where I am—the hospital, the accident, the looming specter of uncertainty surrounding my return to the ice.

I can see the spark of determination igniting within her. “As long as you're okay with it," she says to me. "I've worked with an athlete who had a similar injury and I know exactly how I would start your recovery. But if you want someone else--"

"No," I say, quickly. I know that I need to put all of my focus on recovering so that I can get back on the ice, but getting to work that close with Keely while I recover will make it easier to put a relationship aside until I recover, or at least I hope it makes things easier. "I trust you. But what about your interview today?"

I don't want her to give up a good job just for me.

"I left her a voicemail when you went into surgery to let her know that I wouldn't be able to make our appointment due to an emergency."

"And I'm glad she did because we poached her," Sam smiles over at Keely.

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