Page 75 of Steeling Her
“Don’t tell me you’re starting to have a thing for Mrs. Steel now?” The smirk is evident in his tone, and I try not to laugh at him trying to take my mind off everything.
“You’re such an idiot, TJ.” I punch him on his chest, making him wince a little.
“You’re right, you only have your eye on one Steel.” He winks, and we walk back to the girls who are still sitting in a daze. I smack him on the back of his head. Both Danielle and Haley are staring at the wall opposite to them.
“Why don’t you take these two down for food? I’ll stay here in case her parents come out with an update.” TJ nods and coaxes the two girls to their feet. Danielle protests for a while, unsure of whether to leave Carter alone, but I remind her that Carter’s with her family. Once she understands that, she leaves hesitantly. And once they’re out of sight, I slump down on the sofa once more, racking through my brain. This is so hard. Waiting for something—preferably good news—is so hard.
The clock ticks above the vending machine that had a buzz humming in the silence. The lights were bright, and I look around to see that this hospital is spotless. Hearing the door open behind me, I swivel around to see her dad. I stand up to my feet and greet him. When he walks over to me with purpose evident in his step, I suddenly feel nervous.
“I need you to tell me what happened.” He slides into the space next to me, and I sit with him and notice the Steel family coming out and joining us.
Fuck. I’m so fucked.
“Nick, come on, stay with me. I need you to fill us in on what happened.” Rodger taps my cheek, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“I . . . um . . . Well, Carter came home from classes, and me and Danielle noticed that she was a little paler than usual. She’s been saying that she’s been exhausted the past week. Nobody thought it was anything serious because she treated it as if it was nothing.” Hearing a sigh leave his mouth, I carry on, knowing I’m about to get a beating from her father and two brothers. “Then she said she wanted to lie down, and Danielle went out to get her soup and medicine . . . and . . . and I . . .” I run my hands through my hair, uncomfortable with what I’m about to say. I need to prepare for impact.
“And what? Come on, talk to me, boy! I need to know what happened!” He winds his finger around to get me to keep going, but I bite my lip and look to Mrs. Steel for help. All she sends me is a curious look.
“I went into her room . . . and I layed with her to keep her warm. She was freezing cold, and I knew I shouldn’t have, but I did . . .” The tense faces tell me that he and her brothers aren’t happy. “I know. I should’ve asked you first but I just didn’t think that time. I just . . . I’m sorry . . .” I see her mom sweetly smile at me, telling me it’s alright. She leans forward to rest her hand on my own, which are shaking.I’m fucking terrified right now.
“Continue.” Her dad’s words makes my eyes dart back to him. He’s gone all papa bear on me right now, and I’m ten seconds away from getting a punch to the face. I can feel it. I know I still have the bruises on my face from Ryan too, which only adds to the embarassment.
“I fell asleep with her, and Danielle woke us up to get her to eat something. I agreed with her and I tried to wake her up. I kept calling her name but she wasn’t answering me. Then I called my friend who is taking up nursing in college and she advised me to get an ambulance because she wasn’t responding. So I called them, and they got to her quickly and took her away in the back of an ambulance and to this hospital. I followed her and called your wife to tell her about what had happened to Carter.” I turn to her mom and continue the story, “I know I told you I’d keep you updated, but they didn’t give me anything other than that message I sent you . . .”
“It’s alright sweetie, I appreciate you for trying.” She smiles at me and I replicate her.
“And why were the nurses threatening to call security?” Rodger continues, and I immediately blush from the memory.How’d he find out about that?
“I wasn’t getting answers, just doctors and nurses walking in and out of her room, and I was getting frustrated that I couldn’t keep you in the loop. It was wrong of me, I just snapped and couldn’t control it.” I sigh, leaning forward on my legs and running my hands through my hair for the millionth time tonight. I’m pretty sure I look like a mess right now, but I couldn’t give two fucks. “I’m sorry,” I apologize once more and bow my head to lessen the beating I’m about to get. I’ll take it if it means I can see her or know she’s alright. “Is she alright?” I ask while still looking at the floor.
“She’s stable. She has strong antibiotics at the moment. She caught a virus that got worse as the week went on, that’s why she was feeling so tired. She has to stay here for a while, but the doctors said that she’s responding to them. She’s always had the worst immune system of us, but she’s fighting it like the daughter I raised. You don’t need to worry about her, Nick. That’s our job.” Mrs. Steel laughs a little, lightening the atmosphere. I still don’t have the courage to look up and face her, but the amount of worry that I have in me is considerably less.
“Can I talk with you alone?” I wasn’t sure who that question was for until I look up and see her dad staring at me. I nod and he walks away from the rest of the family. I follow behind him, wondering about what he wants to talk about. Once we’re away from everyone, I start to feel my nerves acting up again. “Look, kid, I know you’re a great player, both on and off the field.” I sigh at what he’s implying. “I don’t want my girl hurt because you can’t keep it in your pants. You following?” I nod and look down at the floor again. “Look, I like you, Nick, but I don’t want her hurt; not again. It’s twice that I’ve had to pick up the pieces from those guys using her to get to me. I know there’s something there between you two. I know you like my daughter, and I know she likes you. I can see it with my own eyes, I’m not blind. So you hurt her, I hurt you. Got it? My boys have nothing on me, I can assure you.” I understand what he’s trying to say clearly.
“I understand, Mr. Steel. I know I have a track record in college; I’m by no means proud of it. I respect your daughter, and I do like her—very much, but I don’t want her or you thinking I’m using her to get ahead in the NFL. If I’m good enough, I’ll make it on my own,” I reply.
“She’s my baby girl, Nick, don’t hurt her, or you’ll be tasting your own shit for the rest of your life.” I widen my eyes at the threat he just made. I donotwant to mess with him, or any of the Steels for that matter. “You think I’m scary? Piss off my wife and you’ll know all about it.” He pats my shoulder and walks past me, leaving me standing there alone with my own thoughts.
Fuck me, I better tread carefully with this girl.I don’t know what I want from her though. That’s the hard part.
What do I want with her? Do I want more than just hanging out and kissing her? The thought doesn’t scare me. I definitely want more from her, but what type of more? Not just me, her, and the bed. A little more, but how much more?
What the fuck are you looking for, Nick?
I bang my head lightly against the wall and decide to make my way back over to the sofa where they still are. Her mom sends me a large grin then faces her husband to nudge his shoulder. He kisses her cheek and she whispers something to him, making him nod and smile. Her brothers are smirking at me, and I raise an eyebrow at them, then we hear voices come back.
Haley, of course, squeals at the sight of Austin again and runs to sit next to him. TJ rolls his eyes at her antics. Haley smiles at Austin and he sends one back to her. Once I see the doctor walk into her room, I notify her parents who get up immediately. Danielle stands shocked still by the vending machine. Chris stands up and walks her over to the sofa, telling her to sit down. He crouches down in front of her, telling her to take some sips of her soda she had bought. He’s smiling at her, and I watch how they interact with each other. TJ glares at Austin beside Haley while he’s eating some chips.
What the hell is happening?
This is so weird to watch.
It’s probably just people comforting each other, which I’m not used to seeing.Yeah, that’s probably it.
“Why the fuck are you nodding?” TJ laughs at me. I shake my head, trying to stop my brain from thinking. It needs to stop.
“Nothing.” I lean my head back, resting it on the back of the sofa and slump down.
