Page 33 of Wild Hearts

“Fuck,” I curse, gripping onto his board. “My knee.”

“What happened?” He asks, concern etched across his usually calm features.

“I felt a pop,” I grunt. “It’s not good, man.”

Harley glances to the beach, mentally calculating the distance. We’re about 500 metres out. “Do you think you can paddle back in?”

“I think so,” I say through gritted teeth.

I suck in a hissing breath as pain shoots up my leg. The guys hold my board for me as I pull myself back up, cursing again at the discomfort. I try my best to block it out as we begin paddling toward shore.

By the time we get back in, Lachy and Ivy have finally appeared on the beach. I’m unable to put any pressure on my right leg, so they rush into the shallows to help with the boards as Jordan and Harley help me out of the water.

“What happened?” Ivy asks.

They all look at me. “I got too close to the point and popped my knee out trying to keep clear of the rocks.”

Jordan narrows his eyes. “You got a death wish or something?”

I shoot him a look. “What are you on about?”

“Nothing,” he mutters, shaking his head, but I don’t miss the look that he shares with Harley.

“Can you put any pressure on it?” Lachy asks.

I hiss as I try to take a step. My stomach coils and dizziness threatens from the sharp pain.

“We need to get him to hospital,” Ivy says, her voice coming through warbled. I shake my head, trying to clear it. I feel like I’m about to pass out. I take a couple of deep breaths in through my nose and out through my mouth.

Ivy and Lachy deal with the boards while Jordan and Harley create a chairlift for me, carrying me up the steep wooden stairs that lead back up to the parking lot. I fight the black spots teasing my vision as the jostling causes more pain. Despite the cool breeze coming off the ocean, I’m drenched in sweat by the time we reach the cars.

I slide into the back of Jordan’s Kombi clutching my knee while Harley and Jordan quickly change their clothes before climbing into the front seats. Ivy tosses Lachy my car keys and they slide into my Crosscheck to follow us to the hospital.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Wren

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