Page 121 of Grumpy Darling

But Parker gave me a shove toward the entrance. “Are you kidding? I think we can agree that he’d prefer not to see my ugly mug at all.”

Cammie snorted. “Yeah, it really is that ugly. I genuinely can’t believe it attracts a different girl each week.” She turned to me and nodded. “Just get in there, Paige. You’re the one he wants to see.”

With all the Darlings urging me forward, I knew I didn’t have much choice. It was hard enough to disagree with one of them; when the whole group banded together it was impossible. So, I drew in a deep breath and made my way to Grayson’s room.

Chapter 32

Grayson

Everything hurt. I felt bruised and battered, a little like someone had stuck me in a washing machine and set it to spin. I’d taken heavy hits before, but this was the first time I’d been knocked out cold.

It was hard to recall the moments leading up to the collision, and the ride to hospital was a blur. But I clearly remembered the terror I’d felt when I woke up, strapped to a stretcher, unable to move, with my head and neck in a brace.

The medical staff had given me a very quick summary of what happened: I’d taken an illegal hit from a Wolves player, I’d been knocked unconscious, and they were taking me to the hospital on a spinal board as a precautionary measure. That hadn’t done much to ease my concerns. I was scared for my health and scared for my future in hockey, but most of all I was scared thinking about how Paige and my family would be feeling, watching me from the ice and in the stands.

It was only once I arrived at the hospital, and the doctor ran her tests, that I was able to breathe a little easier. Nothing was broken, and apart from a bad concussion, I was going to be okay. They still wanted to keep me in the hospital overnight for observation, but I’d be walking away from the incident just fine.

I should have felt relieved and grateful that things hadn’t turned out worse, but as I lay in my hospital bed, my only thoughts were of Paige. When my parents told me she was in the waiting room with everyone else, I knew I had to see her first. To let her know everything was going to be all right.

I was staring up at the ceiling when I heard the door to my room open and footsteps hurry across the floor to my bedside. I smiled when Paige appeared, still dressed in my sweatshirt. Her eyes were filled with worry, but all I could think was how the doctors should have brought her to me straightaway. They’d been a bit stingy with the pain relief, but the sight of Paige was better than any medication. Her presence alone lessened the throbbing in my head, so the only pounding was coming from my chest. My heart really needed to learn how to keep calm whenever she looked my way.

“So pretty,” I murmured.

“Just how many painkillers are you on?” She sat on the bed beside me, reaching out to grasp my hand, her brow puckering with concern as she looked me over. Had I said that out loud? I’d planned to say something that would instantly quell any worries she had about me, but my brain seemed to be struggling to communicate clear instructions to my mouth. Maybe my concussion was as bad as the doctor said.

“They’re monitoring me for complications, so unfortunately, no painkillers,” I replied. “But you’re right, I must not be thinking clearly. I should have said beautiful. Pretty doesn’t do you justice.”

Her lips hinted at a smile, but it was warring with the worry in her eyes. Clearly, she wasn’t ready to make light of the situation. “How are you feeling?”

“Annoyed. I’ve never let anyone take me out like that.”

“I’m serious, Gray. I’ve been so worried about you. You were on the ice for ages. You weren’t even moving. Then they brought you here and we didn’t know what was wrong, and we weren’t allowed to come see you. You’re okay, right? You look okay. Please tell me you’re okay.”

“I’m okay. Just a concussion. No lasting injuries, but I might have to miss a few games.” I reached up and rested a hand on her cheek, gently brushing my thumb across her soft skin. I hated seeing the anxiety etched on her features, especially knowing I’d put it there. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” she said, trying to contain her emotions. “And I’m sure you’ll be back on the ice soon, as good as new.”

Back on the ice, maybe; as good as new, no way. It might not be the reason I was in hospital right now, but the pain in my knee had been worse than ever today. For most of this season, I’d been holding myself back, cruising through games in a low gear to avoid aggravating my injury too much. But with Coach Mercer watching, I couldn’t afford to take it easy. Playing hard had only proven just how bad my knee was.

“I’m not so sure about that,” I muttered.

“What do you mean?”

“My knee is shot, Paige. It’s killing me. It has been for months.”

She drew in a slow breath as she stared into my eyes. “I knew it was bothering you. Is it really bad?”

My throat tightened as I nodded. “Very.”

My own fear was reflected in her eyes, and I could see her trying to keep herself together for me. She knew exactly how dire a serious knee injury would be for my future.

“Well, maybe now you can take a little time to rest,” she said. “No one’s going to hurry you back to playing after today.”

“I don’t think a little rest is going to be enough to fix this.”

Her voice was all too quiet as she responded. “Then what is?”

“I have to tell someone about it. I need to get help.”

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