Page 282 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
“She took a hard hit on the ice during her game.”
Oh god.
I squeeze my eyes tight for a beat as all the fears I had about her playing ice hockey come rushing back.
I know how dangerous a sport it is. I’ve been fairly lucky with only a few breaks and pulls, but I’ve witnessed more than my fair share of playerswho’ve suffered worse.
It’s a position I would never, ever want my baby girl in.
“She got knocked out, and they took her to the hospital.”
My chest tightens to the point I can barely suck in a breath.
“Why aren’t you there? She shouldn’t be alone right now.”
“She’s not alone,” Mom explains. “She’s with Casey.”
“Fuck,” I breathe, sinking my hands into my hair and staring up at the clear sky.
“My car is in the garage. She went to the game with Aurora and Mila,” Mom explains despite me already knowing this. “I got a taxi here so we can go together.”
“Rivers, everything okay?” Coach asks, coming to join us.
“It’s Sutton. She’s in the hospital.” Those are the only words I manage to get out before he’s practically shoving me in the direction of the parking lot.
I take off running, forgetting that Mom doesn’t stand a chance of keeping up. My only thought is getting to my little girl.
The second I’m at my car, I throw my bag in the trunk and climb inside.
I have the engine started and I’m ready to back out when Mom finally climbs inside, her breathing erratic.
“I’ve got…GPS…” She waves her cell at me. “Go. Just…go.”
I don’t need telling twice. I throw the car into reverse and spin out without looking to see if anyone is there.
Calm down, Rivers.
You need to get there in one piece.
Mom syncs her cell to my Bluetooth, and in seconds the map is up on the screen, telling me where to go.
Long, agonizing minutes pass before Mom speaks.
“She’s okay,” she assures me. “I’ve spoken to her. Casey has kept me informed from the moment it happened. She called you, but obviously?—”
“My cell was off,” I answer for her as the weight of the world presses down on my shoulders.
My baby girl needed me, and I wasn’t there. I wasn’t contactable and?—
“FUCK,” I roar out, slamming my palms down on the wheel,but it does little to shatter the tension wrapped around me in a tight hold.
“I’ll call her. You can hear her voice then, know she’s okay.”
I don’t respond. I can’t. The thought of hearing either of their voices right now is enough to push me over the edge.
But not a second later, a familiar voice hits my ears, and I realize that no preparation would have been enough.
“Hi Kathleen,” Casey says lightly.
