Page 95 of Forever Player

Ms. Noble taps my thigh. “Why don’t you take me back to the apartment and I’ll stay with Maylee so you can go to the hospital,” she offers.

“Thank you,” I mouth to her.

“Willow, you don’t need to come. I’m good,” Brett assures.

“Which hospital are they taking you to?” I ask.

“Memorial, but please don’t come,” he insists.

“Okay, fine. Just take care of yourself,” I say to him.

We end the call.

“I know it’s nerve-racking when they get hurt but the fall didn’t seem so bad,” Patty states. I know she is familiar with hockey injuries since she was once the team physical therapist, but I am still not settled.

“I need to be there for him,” I reaffirm.

Patty nods like she understands, and I wave to her and Ellie before leaving the arena with Brett’s mom and Asher, who is yawning and wants to sleep, while Maddie and Henry stay behind to cheer for Kaleb. We head back to the apartment, and I quickly feed Maylee. Then I show Ms. Noble where I keep the frozen breast milk. I leave a bag out on the counter to defrost.

When I get to the door to leave, Ms. Noble says, “I’m really glad Brett has you.”

It’s the second time tonight she is saying something along those lines.

“It’s me who’s lucky,” I reply as I grab my purse, jacket, and keys.

“Maylee is in good hands. Don’t worry,” she assures with a warm smile.

“Thank you, I’ll keep you posted.”

I leave and head out to Memorial.

When I arrive, the assistant coach is hanging outside his door.

“Hi, I’m Brett’s. . .”

“I know,” he replies. “Go on in.”

I blow out a breath.

“He won’t be able to play for the next week,” he adds. “But go on in.”

He motions for me to enter the room where Brett is lying back on a bed.

“Honey, I told you I’m okay,” he says, frowning when he sees me. “You must be exhausted.”

“I’m okay, Brett. It’s you I’m worried about. I wanted to be here for you,” I say to him. I’ve never said those words before. I’ve never had a partner I wanted to be with like I want to be with Brett.

Brett gives me a smile and his cheeks flush like he is embarrassed. It’s then I realize how alike Brett and I truly are. We are the ones who always take care of everyone. We don’t depend on anyone, and so Brett isn’t used to this kind of attention.

I lean in and kiss him. He groans. “Well, if it means you kiss me more, I’ll take it.”

I laugh and smack him.

“Why are you in a hospital robe if it was just your leg?” I ask.

“They did an MRI of my head too. I hit the boards, but it wasn’t too hard. Just a precaution.”

“Did they give you the results?” I ask.

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