Page 29 of Defensive Zone

Chills course across my skin and blood pounds in my ears the moment Ethan motions for the waiting paramedics to bring the stretcher onto the ice. I’m on my feet in an instant, but I don’t move just yet. There’s murmuring coming from the ice, and relief floods through me as Zach moves. He tries to push himself up but falls back down. Alex shoots me a panicked look, fear laced in those big blue eyes of his as he grabs onto my arm, giving it a squeeze. Luckily, he doesn’t say a word. I don’t think I will be able to hold it together if he speaks to me, but I’m grateful for his reassuring touch.

They put a C collar around his neck then carefully transfer him onto the backboard and secure him, then I’m running up the steps onto the concourse, heading toward the locker room.

Flashing my badge at security, I’m thankful they don’t try to stop me because I’m not made for running. I’m two hundred and sixty-five pounds. My body is made for blocking and knocking down the opposition, not running like my life depends on it.

But right now, it does.

Because Zachismy life, and right now, he’s hurt.

I’m vibrating with adrenaline and panic when I meet the paramedics wheeling Zach to the waiting ambulance. Joe spots me first, his face falling.

Fuck.

Resting my hands on my knees, I try to catch my breath. It’s coming out in ragged pants from running. I probably need oxygen, but I don’t have time.

“How’s… he… looking?” I ask as I gasp for air.

“He’s got a concussion, for sure. He’s delirious right now, understandably as he was unconscious for around thirty seconds.”

Was it only thirty seconds? It felt like the longest time of my life.

“They’re going to need to do some scans to check for any bleeding around his brain. They’ll also need to do an X-ray as it looks like he may have broken his wrist.”

Bleeding around his brain? Fuck.

I’m no doctor, but I’ve seen my fair share of concussions in the years I’ve been playing football, and I know the longer you are unconscious, the more dangerous it is. The fact that this isn’t Zach’s first concussion won’t work in his favor either.

“Go with him. It’ll settle him seeing you,” Joe says, squeezing my shoulder. “I’ll come by the hospital as soon as I can.”

A small voice in my head says seeing me is likelynotgoing to settle him, especially with what happened earlier today, but I can’t let it get the better of me. I can’t let that voice of doubt win when he needs me right now.

Nodding, I let him know I’ll send updates if there’s any before he arrives, then I climb into the back of the ambulance. My heart splits in two at the sight of Zach. There’s blood on the side of his head, his skin is ghostly pale. And while I know it’s precautionary, the sight of the C-collar makes the back of my eyes burn and my chest clench.

I know we have high-risk careers, but seeing him like this just shows how dangerous these sports can be.

He lets out a pained groan, andfuck, I feel so fucking helpless.

Scooting up the bench slightly, I reach up to slip my hand in his and squeeze his fingers gently.

“Hey, I’m here,” I say softly, not wanting to startle him. “You’re going to be okay.”

He lets out another groan before murmuring a confused, “Carter?”

“Yeah, it’s me. Just stay still, okay? They’re going to get you sorted.”

“Carter…” he repeats, but this time, his voice trails off.

“Stay awake for me, Zach,” the EMT says as he cuts through his jersey and the elastic of his pads to expose his arm and puts in an IV.

Zach mumbles incoherently, slurring his words.

“That’s it, buddy. Keep talking.”

“I can take off his skates, if that will help?” I offer. “I’ve watched him tie his skates since we were kids. I know how to tackle the weird way he likes to tie them.”

The EMT flashes me a grateful smile. “That would be great, thanks.”

Shifting around so I don’t get in the way, I begin to unlace his skates and slide them off his feet as gently as I can without jostling him. I place them between my feet, and a choked laugh escapes me as I see his worn Chewbacca socks.

---