Page 79 of Unwritten Rules
“Well fucking answer it,” Khai hurries to say, gesturing to the phone. “Now, you big idiot.”
Snapping out of the trance, I bring the device to my ear. I hope I can hear him through the blood rushing in my ears.
What if he doesn’t clear me and I have to continue with Tatum’s recovery plan?
I felt confident going into the check-up, but now I’m wondering if I was gaslighting myself into thinking my quad was okay and I was just too blind to see it.
Oh,God.
“Sin!” Ian’s cheery voice sets my nerves further on edge. “Do you have a minute to talk?”
My eyes lift to meet Khai’s, who is watching intently. Clearing my throat, I adjust the backwards cap on my head. “Y-yeah, I can talk now. Is everything okay?”
“Couldn’t be better,” Ian says, spiking my heart rate. “I wanted to call to say that our session on Sunday went amazingly. I’ve had a couple of days to go over your file with the results fromour session, and consult with Tatum about your progress, and I’ve come to the conclusion that you’re medically fit to return to the field as soon as this Saturday.”
Somehow, my heart doesn’t burst from my chest and the air in my lungs doesn’t evaporate. Instead, my eyes widen and I strangle out, “Really? I can play this weekend?”
“Absolutely. Coach Phil is on board and is excited to have you back out there.”
Holyfuck.
I did it. I’m cleared to play again.
It’s hard to explain the emotions racing through every inch of my body, seeping into my veins and bubbling away under my skin. But my first thought goes to the strawberry-blonde who got me here. If it wasn’t for her knowledge and perfectly laid out recovery plan, I wouldn’t have pushed myself the way I did, and I certainly wouldn’t be having this pleasant conversation with Ian.
I owe this win to Tatum.
“It would be my honour,” I rasp, throat tight. “Thank you.”
“Just be careful of the quad, okay? It’s more susceptible to aches and further injury moving forward, so when entering tackles, be mindful of your positioning. And have Tatum strap you up good before the game.”
“Will do, Ian. Thank you.”
“Have a good night, okay? I can’t wait to see you back out there.”
The call ends a moment later, and all I can do is stare at my best friend, silence enveloping us in the hallway.
“You got cleared to play?” Khai asks, his words hopeful.
A grin splits across my face. “Fuck yeah I did.”
“Hallelujah!” Khai races forward and lifts me in the air, his laughter bouncing off the walls. “This calls for celebratory drinks.”
“Put me down you idiot,” I grunt, but the words hold no malice to them. “I would like to step onto the field first before you fuck my quad again.”
“Oh.” Khai sets me down, smiling. “Not to fear, I will protect you with my life out there. You can count on me.”
I clap him on the shoulder, returning his smile. “I have no doubt you will.”
“Welcome back, Sin.” Khai gestures over his shoulder. “I’ll drop my gym bag in my room and get started on those drinks. I think it’s time we crack open the good whiskey.”
He hurries down the hallway, leaving me standing by the front door with my heart pounding in my chest and one specific person on my mind.
My fingers fly over the screen as I type out a text message.
SIN: You up for a drive tonight?
Her response comes not even thirty seconds later.
