Page 2 of Scoring the Mountain Man

I nod. I may be out the rest of the season, but I know I can be back on the ice before the start of training season. “Okay.”

“We will schedule the surgery for tomorrow, but tonight I need you to rest. I’ll have the nurse bring you something for your head as that was quite a hit you had.”

I nod, knowing there is nothing I can say.

The nurse and the doctor walk out of the room and I look at Wes.

“I’ll let the coach know,” he tells me.

“After the surgery and once I’m released, I want to go home to my grandparents cabin,” I tell him.

“Are you sure?” he asks.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” I answer as I lay my head back on the pillows. “Will you take me?”

“Of course. I’ll clear it with Coach,” Wes tells me and I nod.

Looking up at the ceiling, a thought hits me, “Did I at least make the score?”

“Yeah, you did,” Wes says, with a cheeky smile. “And we won the game,” he adds.

I nod, grateful something good came out of this.

The nurse comes in with my meds and once I take them, it doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep.

The next morning, I’m taken to the OR and they operate on my knee. When I wake up, I’m in recovery. The nurse looks at meand says, “Glad to see you back with us. I’ll be transferring you back to your room shortly and then the doctor will come speak to you.”

I nod my head in understanding and then close my eyes again. I don’t think I was out too long because I open my eyes as the doctor walks in.

“How do you feel, Mr. Wilde?”

“Tired,” I croak out.

“That’s to be expected. You had one heck of a concussion,” he sighs.

“What are you not telling me, Doc?”

“Jaxon,” he starts and I mutter “Shit.”

He looks at me with confusion, but keeps going. “Your injury was worse than we saw on the MRI. We were able to fix it, but I can’t lie. I’m not sure if you will fully recover in six months like we originally thought.”

“What are you saying, Doc?”

He rubs his face with his hand. “You may need more time to recover.”

“How much more time?”

“Maybe a year, maybe longer.”

“WHAT?” I yell out. “I can’t be off the ice for that long, doctor.”

“Jaxon,” he sighs. “There may be a possibility you may never play hockey again and I need you to be prepared for that.”

“No. I will get back on the ice and I will play again,” I tell him adamantly.

“You could end up permanently damaging that knee,” he states.

“I will prove you wrong, Doc,” I tell him, not wanting to believe that I would never play again.

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