Page 25 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

“I can’t kiss your nose or your lips, but maybe your chin is the next best thing – for now,” she whispered tenderly, touching his cheek gently. “Please rest… for me?”

“Stay?”

“Yes, I’m staying.”

“Tell your brother… I can’t wait to meet him.” She smiled at him, nodding as his eyes sagged closed once more. Yeah, it would take some time, but he would be fine. He could meet her family some other time when they were both ready for the fiasco that would be involved. Ten minutes later, she texted her oldest brother, Jason.

Hey, I’m not going to be there this weekend after all. My friend that I wanted to bring with me is injured. Can we do this in a week or two?

You realize what time it is?

Usually, a text message at this hour is never good – but considering your alive, I’m not going to call your phone and start yelling.

That’s good because I wouldn’t respond well, and we both know it. Relax, Jason – I was trying to be nice and let you know ASAP that I’m not going to make it this weekend. #respect

I appreciate that. So, is it true, then?

What?

Matthew blabbed that you were bringing home some hockey player to meet us. Is it true? Are things serious?

For me, it is…

Becca swallowed as tears stung her eyes, admitting something so personal to Jason. He might be a jerk or a grump, but she wanted his approval just like any other younger sibling. He was always larger than life to her and that still was the case.

I really like him Jason, and I hope all of you do too.

As long as he treats you well and makes you happy… Now, can I get some sleep? I’ve got two hours before my day starts.

Sorry – love you.

XOXO… ya’ little twerp

Becca chuckled gratefully. That was Jason’s way of saying he loved her and would support her. He was always gruff, roughing around, but when push came to shove – she knew unequivocally he would have her back, even if it came with a bunch of ‘I know better, so listen to me’ comments.

CHAPTER 9

TRAVIS

It wastwo days before Travis was released from the hospital. His face was still bandaged up and a couple of the guys came by to see him, which made him feel a lot less guilty for having been pulled off the rink. Usually when someone got hurt, you got checked, shook it off, and you were back on the ice within minutes or so. Only serious injuries got pulled, but according to the coach and the medic on staff with the team – he was knocked out for over a minute, so they wanted to get him checked for possible brain damage.

That was an eye-opening thought.

Walking down the hallway of the hospital with his uncle and Becca, there was an explosion of flashes in the distance causing him to flinch and immediately turn away. His uncle put his arm around his shoulders, and Becca was right there, clutching his arm and pulling him in the other direction.

“We need another way out,” Becca said quickly to one of the nurses behind the counter of the nursing station. “Davy, can you pull the car around and let’s use another exit so Travis can have some privacy.”

“I could kiss you for that,” Travis blurted out.

“No offense – but don’t,” she chuckled, making his heart turn over in hischest instead of being insulted. He couldn’t blame her. There was a funky taste in his mouth from sleeping, eating, and bleeding. The faster he could get home and use his Waterpik –carefully– the better off he would be.

His face was still covered in gauze in places but thankfully, the swelling was fading away leaving a line of mottled bruises where the puck impacted him. It ran from his right upper lip to his left nostril, perilously making its way toward his eye socket. Thank goodness that wasn’t broken, or they might have been talking surgery to fix that.

Stitches are enough fun to deal with...

“Follow me,” the nurse said quietly, taking them down several hallways, past the pharmacy… and the morgue. Travis swallowed as he saw the sign, once again grateful that it wasn’t worse than it appeared. The nurse continued walking quickly, her shoes squeaking on the pristine floor of the hospital as she continued talking to them.

“If you go out this door, you’ll see a massive pair of dumpsters where we put all the recycling, cardboard, and other things. Follow the ramp which leads out to a docking bay and the helicopter pad. You can pull your vehicle around here, but fair warning – when this door shuts behind you, it locks. I found that out the hard way when I went for a smoke break. I hate to ask this – but could I get your autograph, Mr. Giroux?”

---