Page 25 of Beyond the Stroke

“Nice to meet you.” I shake her hand with my uninjured one.

She grabs a form and places it on a clipboard.

“Your name?”

My eyes flick to Rory’s. I could run out of this room right now, drive my van to another location and pretend none of this ever happened, but my wrist is throbbing. It’s like it has its very own pulse. So, I have to stay and see about this injury, and that involves sharing my name.

“Summer.”

At my admission, Rory’s smile finds its home again.

“Summer?” Winnie prods.

“Summer McKee,” I relent, my lips threatening a smile at the sheer glee in Rory’s eyes. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he masterminded the whole thing just to learn my name.

“Are you happy now?” I ask once Winnie has gathered my information and stepped out of the room.

He shakes his head, that heartachingly pained look on his face again.

“Not until you’re all fixed up.”

Winnie returns a few minutes later and starts the exam.

“How’d this happen?” Winnie asks while gently rotating my wrist as part of the exam.

Rory presses his lips together and I can’t help but think about our discussion earlier on the boardwalk.Big tree, fall hard.

“This giant man fell off a skateboard he had no business riding and crushed me in the process.”

Winnie shakes her head. “Boys are idiots.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m right here,” Rory says, waving his arms in mock exasperation.

“We’re aware,” Winnie replies, tossing a knowing grin in my direction.

After the X-ray, which was negative for a fracture or broken bone, Winnie fits me for a brace. “This should be worn day and night for one week. Take ibuprofen to help with pain and reduce swelling.

“Rory, don’t you have practice now?” she asks, guiding my fingers into the brace before velcroing it closed below my wrist.

He glances at the clock on the wall. “Shit. Yeah, I do.”

Running a hand through his wavy hair, he stands. “But I can wait a few more minutes.”

That’s what he says, but I can see a panic stealing over his features.

Winnie tsks. “If you’re late, Owens is going to have your ass.”

“You should go.” I nudge.

“I hate leaving you like this.”

Winnie sighs between us. “You two are adorable.”

“We are nothing of the sort,” I scoff, trying to gain some perspective. “And I’m fine. I probably don’t even need this.” I lift my arm with the brace and shake it around, but my wrist still protests.

“Yeah, you do,” Winnie argues. “At least until the swelling goes down.”

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