Page 58 of The Cutting Edge
“Ready to head back to your life of glamor and excitement?” she asks with a mischievous grin.
Relief floods me and I nod enthusiastically. “Very.” Although let’s face it, my life is not exactly glamorous. 5 am workouts? No time for anything that isn’t training or working? Not super glam.
Barb laughs, already wheeling in the chair. “Thought so. Good thing you brought this handsome hunk of a man to carry out all these presents.”
"It's the least I could do," says Logan.
"Yeah," I tease. "After all, youarethe one who sent most of them."
Logan helps me into the wheelchair while Poppy carefully gathers her drawings and the last few balloons from my room. As antsy as I’ve been to get out of here, I will forever appreciate the nurses and staff taking such good care of me.
“Thank you for everything,” I tell Nurse Barb earnestly. “You’ve been amazing.”
She waves me off, though her eyes shine with emotion. “Oh, hush. It’s my job. But you’re very welcome.”
“Thanks.”
She turns to Logan, “Great job with the win last night. Take care of our girl, and take that team of yours all the way to the Stanley Cup – you hear me?”
“I hear you. I promise I’ll do my best, Nurse Barb,” he smiles.
Logan is loaded down like a pack mule, his biceps bulging under the weight of the dozens of gifts he’s sent me over the last week. This isn’t even the whole stash. Marissa took a load home for me yesterday. Barb motions Logan ahead, wheeling me extra-slowly out of the room and down the hall, and giving us both an extraordinary view of Logan’s brawny triceps, back, and butt. Holy Hercules, he’s built like a god. Barb winks at me, and I giggle involuntarily, pretty sure she planned it this way. Nurse Barb always gets the last word.
Poppy trails behind us, chattering away about all the things we’re going to do now that I’m out of the hospital. My heart swells at her enthusiasm and excitement.
We make it to the lobby, Barb parking my chair so Logan can pull the car around. Poppy climbs into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I’m so happy you’re out of the hospital, Miss Coco. It’s been forever!”
I hug her close, blinking back tears. “Me too, Poppy. I’ve missed you so much.”
Logan returns a few minutes later, scooping Poppy off my lap so I can stand on shaky legs. I’m not dizzy or anything, but something about those hospital wheelchairs makes your butt fall asleep in like 12 seconds. He keeps an arm wrapped securely around my waist, supporting my weight.
“Ready?” He murmurs, lips brushing my ear.
A delicious shiver runs down my spine and I nod. “So ready.”
Barb bids us a final farewell, leaving us to head out into the sunny afternoon. I take a deep breath, reveling in the fresh air and freedom.
Home. I’m finally going home.
Logan helps me into the passenger seat of his SUV, as Poppy climbs into the backseat, chattering away about her week at school and various other topics. I close my eyes, letting her enthusiastic voice wash over me.
After a few minutes of driving, Logan glances over at me. “Are you hungry? We can go straight home if you want to rest, but I thought maybe you’d like to go out for lunch. Get a real meal for a change.”
My stomach rumbles at the thought of real food.
Boomeranging between Logan's five-star restaurant delivery and the hospital's spectacular selection of Jell-O and saltines was quite the palate workout. “Lunch sounds amazing.”
“Great.” His lips quirk up in a smile. “Any requests?”
“Hospital turkey sandwich!” shrieks Poppy from the back seat. “We’re already here!”
Logan laughs and shakes his head, turning to face Poppy in the back seat.
“Coco’s had a lot of hospital food these last few weeks, and since she’s our guest, how about we let Coco choose?”
“Great idea,” says Poppy enthusiastically.
I pretend to think it over before answering, but I already know what I want. “A cheeseburger. The biggest, juiciest burger you can find.”
