I walk past them, saying a quick “Hi,” not wanting to talk to them. Plus, I don’t want to interrupt them. Bradley deserves to have fun while he’s here, and Allison seems like a good fit. I grab a beer from the fridge and head for the back porch. I chug from the bottle quickly, staring at the sunshine illuminating around me. I need to get ready for the game tonight, but I don’t want to go into that rink, knowing Selene’s going to be there and cheering me on. Well, she might be cheering me on. More than likely, she won’t.
~
Possibly the worst game I’ve ever played. I was in the penalty box three times. I didn’t score because I wanted to fight everyone. Coach yelled at me a lot, as did Kris. It didn’t help that we lost at home, four to zero.
As soon as I hit the locker room, I rip off my jersey and equipment, not speaking to anyone. I shower and keep it on the hottest water setting that I can stand, hoping it’ll ease the pain of my muscles and my broken heart. After I dry off, I slip my suit on and leave the building. I check my phone, hoping Selene would have called or texted me, but she hasn’t, and the only one that did was Bradley.
Bradley: You sucked tonight
Leave it to my brother to tell me what I already know. I head to my car and go home, even though all I want to do is go to Selene and hold her all night. Pulling into my driveway, I stare at her house. Not a single light is on, and I look at the place that felt more like my home than the house I own. Finally, I get out of the car and go into the empty shell of my so called life. My phone alerts me of a text, and my heart stops.
Bradley: I’m with Allison, see you tomorrow
With that, I go to bed.
~
I toss and turn all night and practice is as bad as the game. Coach even pulls me to the side and asks if I’m okay to play tonight. That maybe I should take the night off.
“I’m fine,” is my response.
Like yesterday, I ignore everyone and leave. I continuously call Mr. Madison’s office, but they haven’t heard from Jessica yet. Her time is running out, and this has to show that she’s lying. I slam my front door when I get home. It seems that breaking items or opponents are my release from what I really want. I grab a beer from the fridge and head out to my patio. I try my hardest not to look at Selene’s house, but the barking makes me turn.
Bonkers is at the fence, standing on his back legs, jumping for me. His high pitched sound tugs at my heart. I shouldn’t, but I don’t see Selene in the yard, so I go to the dog.
“Hey, buddy.” I open the gate to pet him, and of course he runs around me in a circle. I laugh at his energy.
“You know he likes you a lot.” Selene’s sweet voice makes my heart stop.
I look up and see her leaning on the rail of her porch. She’s still in her work clothes, looking stunning.
“I’m sorry. He was barking, and I was just going to pet him,” I explain to her.
“It’s fine. Come on, Bonkers,” she yells for the dog, and he looks at me. He tilts his head, and I almost have the urge to cry at his adorable face.
“Go,” I command him, and the dog takes off to her.
“That was a terrible game the other night.”
I’m kind of surprised she’s talking to me. Part of me wishes she wouldn’t. I don’t need to be reminded of how badly I played. Looking at Bonkers instead of her, I say, “Yeah, I know.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you play like that.” There’s a touch of concern in her voice, but I could be imagining things. “What happened?”
Sighing, I lift my gaze to hers. “The truth?” She doesn’t nod or shake her head, which means she wants to know, but doesn’t want to know. Selene’s going to hear it either way. “There’s this girl I’m in love with and she decided that I wasn’t worth the risk after all. The rink is the last place I want to be because it’s a blessing and a curse to know she’s there watching me. So, I’m playing like crap because my heart isn’t in it. It’s crazy because she was worried about me taking away where she felt at home, but as it turns out, that’s what she took from me.” Without another word, I turn and walk back to my house. After all, I have to get ready for yet another game I don’t feel like playing.
~
Tonight is a big game. We’re battling against the Alabama Blacksmiths for first place in our division. Of course, I want the win to rub it in their captain Carson Lee’s face. He’ll do anything to hold the Stanley Cup over his head. The first period is nothing but trash talk and scoreless runs. My mind isn’t in the game. It’s in the three hundred section where Selene is.
At the start of the second period, the crowd is roaring, but all I focus on is the puck. I win the face off and bolt towards the net as the puck is passed to me. I lose control of it, but quickly gather it back up near the boards. Then it happens. A push from behind on my back, and then it all goes black.
~
From my hips to my head, I hurt so badly. I keep my eyes closed as I’m wheeled off the ice. Well, I did once I woke up. The concern of the doctors is on if I can move, and I’m able to. I continued not to look at anyone all through my evaluation because I’m pissed. Always keep your head up. Isn’t that the NHL motto?
Yeah, I forgot.
Once they put me in my own room to watch over me for a few hours, I finally open my eyes. Of course, no one is here but me.
I scoff. Perfect. I’m alone again. I ease out of the bed in severe pain. When I see Carson Lee, I swear I’m going to punch him in the nose. I steady myself with the IV pole and slowly walk to the bathroom. I don’t even look in the mirror because I’m sure I look like roadkill. I splash some cold water on my face, trying to feel normal again. It doesn’t help. I pat my face dry with a paper towel and walk out.
I hear the gasp as I look up seeing Bradley in the room, but it’s her I’m looking at.
Selene’s dark eyes are puffy and red, staring back at me.
Chapter Twenty-One
Selene
I can’t take my eyes off of him. His blonde hair is a mess, sticking out at all angles. He looks tired as he gradually makes his way over. I rake over the rest of his body and suddenly find myself holding back laughter. My handsome, thoughtful, sexy Brody is gripping an IV stand, wearing a hospital gown and crew socks, moving at an ancient pace. He looks ridiculous and soon, I’m unable to keep myself from covering my mouth as I laugh at him.
Brody looks confused, but he continues his journey to the bed and takes his time sitting on the edge of it, his knee bumping into my leg. He takes a small, controlled breath as he reaches for my hand.
“You’re laughing?” he asks with a hint of a smile.
His grip tightens around my hand, halting my fit of giggles as I remember why he’s like this. Before I can answer, Bradley starts making a half laughing-half gagging noise.
“You are wearing a gown, Brody. It’s not nearly long enough though.”
Brody chuckles. “Leave me alone. Why don’t you go get me something to drink?”
Bradley glances at me, and I give him a small nod of my head. I’ve worried the poor guy enough for one day. He leaves, pulling the door almost to a close, leaving me with Brody. I move between his knees and gingerly place my hands on his shoulders, almost scared to hurt him further. I put on my most serious look.
“Are you going to live?” I question quietly.
“Yeah,” he smiles.
“Good. There are two things I need to do then.” I slap his shoulder as hard as I can, feeling a little bad when he winces.
“I’m going to live, but that doesn’t mean I’m not in pain.”
“You’ve taken worse hits, Brody.” And I should know because I’ve seen them. “But you scared me.” Without waiting any longer, I lean forward to kiss those perfect lips I’ve missed so much. I kiss him fiercely with my fear from earlier, my relief that he’s okay, and how I’ve missed having him around. Before I can get carried away, I pull back, resting my forehead against his.
“Am I dreaming?” he w
hispers.
My resolve was already gone, and I’m sure if I had any left, it would have disappeared with his words. My heart was hammering in my chest as I watched him leave on a stretcher, flashing me back to when Stacy died. The circumstances changed, but I was still standing on the sidelines, terrified and heartbroken, as my best friend was carried away. Somehow, Brody managed to become my best friend, the person I can go and tell anything to. And then I fell in love with him, and he became the one person I didn’t want to be without, so I can go through life’s adventures with him.
He broke my heart this afternoon when he talked to me. I debated not even going to the game in hopes that it would make things better for him, but he would have assumed I was there anyway. So I went and watched one of the scariest things I’ve ever had to witness. Everything clicked into place with such clarity, showing me how much of a fool I am. Brody is worth the risk, and he said he only needed one chance. I feel like I took his chance away from him. There’s only one thing to do with those blue eyes focused on me, waiting for a response.
“I love you too.”
His lips part, like that was the last thing he was expecting me to say. “You love me, love me?”
I smile. “Yes, I love you, love you.”
“I feel like this is when you are going to give me that look and kick me out,” he mutters.
Taking his hands in mine, I tell him, “Well, you don’t need to worry about that feeling because I don’t plan on kicking you out ever again. If I were to have the opportunity, that is.”
“Selene, I love you, you know this, and that’s never going to change. But why you are telling me? What changed?”
“Everything. Life is undoubtedly better with you and fighting it wasn’t doing me any good. I don’t want regrets because I chickened out when things were too much. If I’m going to worry, I rather have you with me, so I’ll know that no matter what, things will be okay. I want to fight the battles with you, by your side where I should be. I love you, Brody. Nothing could ever change that.”
“I don’t know what to say. I mean, you could barely stand to look at me today when I saw you, and now you’re professing your love? What about Jessica? Is that still a problem?”
“Of course, it’s still a problem, but it’s one I’m willing to face with you.” I squeeze his hand in reassurance.
“I feel like I’m having an out of body experience, but I think it’s the pain medication taking over. No matter what it is, I love you, Selene. I want you by my side for everything and anything that crosses our paths. You’re the one, and I don’t want any regrets either.” His words have started to slur a little, so I know that his medicine is indeed taking over.
“Awww, look at my baby brother! Finally confessing his love,” Bradley annoyingly gushes from the door, bringing our attention to him and Allison, who is standing next to him.
“It’s a little sickening,” Allison adds.
“I might get a cavity,” Bradley says.
Brody groans, but I laugh. “What are you doing here, Allison?” I haven’t talked to her, so it wasn’t me who asked her to come.
“Bradley got bored waiting on you two to make up.”
“Well, we did, and now Brody is going to get some rest.” I look to a slightly unhappy Brody. “Your pain meds are probably going to knock you out in a few minutes anyway.” I start fixing his sheets and pillows, so he can lay back down. I’m almost surprised when he actually does it.
“You’re sleeping in here too, right?” he echoes the words I’ve said to him before, wincing as he settles into bed.
“I’m not going anywhere, promise.” I run my fingers through his hair as his eyelids get heavier and heavier, causing only a little blue to peek through as he struggles to stay awake. With a kiss on his forehead, I whisper, “I love you, Brody.”
“Love too,” he breathes before falling asleep.
I watch him for a moment before turning to face our intruders. Despite their claims, both are smiling. Allison speaks first though, bringing her hands out from behind her back to show me she’s holding a bag.
“I brought a few things from your house, so you wouldn’t look as terrible as him in the morning. I can stay over with Bonkers, too, or bring him to my place.”
Crap! Bonkers! I feel like such a terrible person that I forgot about him. “Stay at my place. It’ll be easier that way. Just don’t sleep in my bed, especially if your new friend is staying there too.” Both of their mouths fall open a little. “I’m not blind or deaf to your flirting. You think we’re sickening? Ha.” I shake my head at having to watch these two while I was drowning in my sorrows over Brody. “Give me my bag and then go check on Bonkers, please and thank you.”
Allison brings me my things and gives me a hug. “I’m happy for you,” she whispers.
“Thanks. Have fun with Bradley,” I reply.
She smiles and Bradley tells me they’ll be back tomorrow. Once they’re gone, I walk down to the nurses station to request a pillow and a blanket. It’s tempting to slip in next to Brody, but I don’t want to accidentally hurt him in my sleep somehow. Hitting him once was all the damage I wanted to do. Digging through my bag back in his room, I find what Allison brought me, a pair of sweatpants and an old Ross t-shirt from before he made captain.
By the time I change and brush my teeth, the nurse has finally brought me what I asked for. She checks his vitals before leaving. I slide the chair closer to the bed, and then get comfortable the best I can. Laying on my side with my pillow tucked under my neck, I reach out to hold his hand, so when he wakes up, he’ll know I’m still here and always will be.
“Selene?” I hear his sleepy voice rumble right after he squeezes my hand.
“Yeah? Do you need something?” I ask, sitting up to get a better look at him.
Brody nods, his eyes half closed and fluttering as he struggles to keep them open. “You. In bed. With me,” he breathes.
“No, I don’t want to hurt-”
“Pain meds. Won’t feel it. C’mon.” He releases my hand to pat the space next to him. “Felt worse, remember?” he adds when I don’t move.
I sigh. “Scoot over a little then.” He moves like all of two inches, but there’s enough room for me to lay on my side. So I crawl in next to him with his arm around me, gently resting my head on his shoulder.
“That’s better.”
Yes, it sure is.
~
Somehow, I slept pretty decently. I woke up around six though, and I’ve been waiting for Brody to wake up. I keep glancing at him, trying to see if anything has changed about him. But he’s still Brody. My eyes eventually rest on his hand in mine, taking in the up and down of his knuckles and the faint veins showing from beneath his skin. His fingers twitch suddenly, startling me as if waffles just popped up from a toaster. I look to find a small smile and blue eyes watching me.
“Morning,” I say, standing up to lean forward to give him a kiss. “Sleep well? Need anything?”
Brody shakes his head. “What time did you wake up?” he asks, sitting up more.
“A little while ago. Feeling any better?”
“Yeah, I am. I’m starving, though. Has the doctor been by yet?”
“No, but maybe soon, so we can go home. I’m actually a little worried about Bonkers since he’s been left with Allison and Bradley.”
Brody chuckles, but doesn’t get the chance to reply because the nurse and doctor walk in. They check him over before mentioning his discharge. Thankfully, they are going to go ahead and release him this morning. As they are leaving, Bradley and Allison are walking in.
“How’s my baby brother doing?” Bradley grins.
“I was fine until you walked in,” he answers. “Do you have my clean clothes?”
Bradley tosses him a bag, earning a glare. I start ushering them back out of the room. “If you two really love us, then you’ll have breakfast waiting for us when we get to my house. And start washing the sheets in the guest room.”
>
“That’s the thanks we get for taking care of Bonkers?” Allison tries.
“Just go.” I close the door behind them, hearing Brody moving around as he changes.
“Am I going to your house?” he almost tentatively asks from behind me.
“Of course,” I answer, walking back over to him and start buttoning the top of his shirt while he works on the lower buttons. “How else will I undress you later?”
Brody smiles. “Good point. Selene, I-” He stops as our hands runs into each other, and I gently push his hands away for the last few buttons. Brody seems to be struggling with what he wants to say, so I decide to help him out.
“You love me? Or you wanted to say that you really just want to go play with Bonkers? Is he the main reason why you love me, Brody?”
He laughs. “You like to hear that I love you, don’t you? Like that day when I picked out your outfit and you thanked me for saying it?” He chuckles again with the memory, but I groan.
“I still can’t believe I said that, but I will confess a secret.” Brody’s brows raise, waiting for me to continue as I cup my hands on his cheeks. I give him a sweet, simple kiss before saying, “I do love to hear it, so don’t ever stop saying it.”
“As long as you’re here to listen, Selene, it can be the only words I ever speak. I love you.”
I grin. “I love you too, Brody. Put some pants on and we can go home.”
Brody doesn’t let go of me. His hand is on me at all times. He’s holding it in the hospital and through the hallways and parking lot until we reach my car. He rests his hand on my thigh as I drive since I use my right hand the most. And as my house comes into view, he squeezes my leg.
“Keep driving so we don’t have to be around them,” he jokes at seeing the cars parked there.
“Who’s truck is that?” I ask as I pull into my driveway.
A Hockey Player's Proposal (Oh Captain, My Captain #2) Page 15
