Page 218 of There's No Us Without You
“There’s a first time for everything.” Eden raises an eyebrow as she pulls my sweats up my thighs. “Now stop moving so I can finish dressing you. You’re like a damn child.”
“That’s why I need you, though.” I grin and kiss the top of her head. “To look after me and make sure I’m dressed.”
“Yeah. Yeah.” With a shake of her head, she secures my pants on my hips and stands, now a little breathless. “Are you done? Or do I need to feed you too?”
“Well...” I draw out the word, only to cop a slap to the chest from the back of Eden’s hand before she storms out of the bathroom.
I hobble out to the hospital bed, laughing to myself, just as Carter strolls into the room.
“Hey, Cap,” he says. “How’s the knee?” He’s grinning like an idiot, when really he should be more concerned about the fact I’ve pretty much fucked my career.
I gesture to the crutches. “What do you think, Einstein?”
He shrugs and shifts on his feet, his arms behind his back as he steps up to the side of the bed.
“What are you hiding?”
“Don’t rush me,” he says. “This is important.” Then he clears his throat and brings the large item out from behind his back and places it on the bed between my legs.
It’s our championship trophy from the game last night.
“This is for you to hold onto,” Carter says, nodding to the item. “At least until Coach realises it’s missing.”
“Oh my god,” Eden says, eyes wide. “You stole the grand final trophy?”
Carter grins and nods his head quickly. “Like it was hard.”
I clear my throat as I stare at the gold-plated cup reflecting my tired, washed-out face.
Jesus, someone could have told me I looked like shit warmed up.
It’s not like I’ve slept much, though. After I was brought in last night, I had to warn the hospital staff I was still recovering from an opioid addiction, so whatever pain meds they have me on right now are of the non-addictive variety. Nor do they make me drowsy.
Then this morning involved an X-ray and an MRI, so now we’re just waiting on the results.
“Em?” Eden rubs my thigh. “You okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, it’s just—thanks man,” I say to Carter, sniffing. “This means a lot.” I reach out for him, and he leans down to hug me, patting me on the back as he does.
“You’re our Captain, dude. You never gave up on us, so there’s no way we’d ever give up on you.”
Eden sniffs beside me, making me push Carter away to check on my girl.
“Baby,” I say, holding out a hand to her, while searching her face. “Don’t cry. It’s going to be fine.”
I hope. Otherwise, what the fuck else am I going to do? I’ll go stir-crazy if I can’t play anymore.
Eden wipes her eyes and smiles at me as she takes my hand. “I’m fine. These are happy tears. You deserve it, especially after everything you’ve been through.”
“Couldn’t have made it without you,” I say, bringing her hand to my lips to kiss her knuckles.
She hasn’t left my side since last night. Will had to go into work today, leaving early this morning. It was lucky the nurses let them both stay, not without a little swaying on my behalf.
Sometimes being a little famous has its perks, like being able to give away season tickets and sign my life away.
Eden and Carter chat between themselves, while I watch them with my heart in my throat. I don’t know what I’d do without either of them, to be honest. Moments later, my parents walk into the room, my mother clutching her handbag to her chest, her eyes bloodshot and swollen.
Eden climbs to her feet and kisses my lips. “We’ll give you some privacy,” she says, before dragging Carter away.
