Page 86 of A Game as Old as Time

Gunner.

Well, not exactly. Any other time, she would have been drawn to his toned, athletic body. However, right now, she was pulled directly into his eyes. His blank, lost stare into the overhead lights was a familiar one.

So much pain.

“Gunner, sweetie. You should put your shirt on so we can go.”

Hailey had forgotten about her father, who was now leaning against the door, clearly uncomfortable.

“Gunner!” Peyton screamed. She sprinted over to hug him.

“Jesus, Peyton!” He lurched forward as the bag of ice shifted under her.

“Sorry!” She jumped back.

He stood up slowly, moving toward the window while holding the bag of ice to his shoulder. He tried to laugh, but it sounded more like a groan.

“It’s okay. You damn near hit me harder than that guy on that field tonight.” He paused, staring blankly out the window.

“I’m sorry, Gunner. I just…” Peyton took a step closer, trying to make her way around the bed.

“Look, just, just be careful.” He shook his head, and his voice sharpened. “Doc says I need to rest up for a bit. You can’t just be running up and hugging like you always do.”

Oh no, Gunner.

Peyton’s shoulders instantly dropped.

“Gunner, now I know you are hurting, but that is no way---”

“What, Mom? She is always leaping at me like a crazy person. I just can’t have that right now with my---”

Peyton stomped her foot, startling Hailey. She pushed forward angrily, her light brown hair whipping as she shouted.

“Well, excuse me, Gunner!” Hailey nervously started playing with her fingers. “Excuse me for worrying about my brother! A few hours ago, you were lying on the football field, not moving! I’m sorry if I was scared and just happy to see that you were OK!”

She twirled and stormed to the other side of the room, huffing loudly as she crossed her arms.

I should not be here for this.

Hailey’s father quietly exited, but for some reason, she remained.

“Gunner, you need to apologize to your sister. Now. She was just worried about you. I mean, we all were.”

His mother came close and put her hand on his bare back, causing him to flinch.

“Yeah, well.” He turned toward them and finally made eye contact with Hailey. “I’m fine, so everyone can just, you know, stop worrying.”

He is not fine.

He threw his shirt on the bed, leaning down while trying to remove the ice.

“Sweetheart, let me help.” His mother grabbed the bag, the pressure making him grimace in pain.

“Damn, Mom!”

Hailey jumped back at his loud, echoing shriek.

“I’m sorry, Gunner! I just---”

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