Peter called Harley’s dream job and told them about her accident. The woman who interviewed their daughter was horrified. Under the circumstances, they understood why she’d be unable to accept the position, but hoped she would make a full recovery and contact them in the future. They sent flowers to her room.
Now she held her granddaughter and tried to be strong as she watched Harley sleep.
For several days, Harley drifted in and out of consciousness. She was awake a little longer each time, a little more aware of her surroundings.
Almost a week after her first communication, she hoarsely begged the nurses to stop giving her pain meds.
“I need to wake up.”
“Miss Jamison, you’ll be in so much pain.”
“I don’t care. I need to wake up.”
They called her doctor who came to check her out. His face was serious as he told her, “Harley, if I take you completely off the medication controlling your pain, your body could go into shock. I can scale it back and we’ll see how you feel.”
“I need to talk to my family.”
The next day, their daughter woke alert and in excruciating pain. They stood over her, smoothing her hair, as she whimpered and tears ran rapidly down her cheeks.
She looked like an animal caught in a trap.
Peter was beside himself. “I’ll call the nurse, Harley. You need more pain medication.”
“No! A little while, I can handle it. What happened? Where’s Lexie?”
“She’s safe with Hart and Bailey in the lounge.”
“I need to see her. Please, let me see her.” Peter went to get Lexie and Regina held her hand. “Mom, what happened?”
“Harley, you were in a freak accident. You were hurt bad but you’re going to be okay.” The tears ran into her hair and bandages. “You’re in so much pain, baby.”
“Tell me what happened.”
She explained the accident and what injuries she sustained. “It’s a miracle you weren’t killed, Harley. It’s going to take a long time for you to heal.”
“Lexie saw it happen?”
Regina nodded as Peter returned carrying their granddaughter. She wore an apple green baby doll top and leggings. There were matching sandals on her feet. Her hair was pulled into a curly ponytail.
Her face lit up when her eyes met her mother’s.
“There you are. My pretty girl, you okay?” Harley’s voice was raw.
“You’re awake. I missed you, Mommy.”
“I missed you, too. You look so pretty.”
“Bailey dressed me in green because it’s your favorite color.”
“It is and you’re my favorite person on the whole planet.”
“Okay, Lex, I’m going to lower you over Mommy. You can’t touch her but her you can give her a big kiss, alright?” She nodded and gave Harley a kiss before Peter lifted her back to his chest. “That’s our good girl. Look, Mommy feels better already. She needed Lexie kisses.”
“I love you, Mommy. Please hurry and get better.”
“I love you, Alexis. I love you so much.”
Then Harley passed out from the pain.
Chapter Eight
Over the next week, Harley’s doctor found a dose that managed the pain enough for her to stay alert for a few minutes at a time without agony.
Little by little, she was able to function, to focus.
The first time she spoke to Bailey, her best friend laid her head beside her and sobbed for a long time. Harley could count on the fingers of one hand how many times she’d seen her cry in all their years together.
“I thought I was going to lose you. You’re my other half. I was so scared, Harley.”
“Mom said you’ve stayed here every day. You need sleep and a spa day. You know you can’t be walking around looking like a hot mess.”
Bailey leaned back and grinned through her tears. “Hooker, please. You know I have my travel case with all necessary essentials.”
“I love you.”
“I love you. Don’t ever scare me like that again.” She carefully removed all traces of her tears.
Harley nodded. “Where’s Hart?”
“He’s with Lexie. He alternates with your parents to keep her on routine.” She smoothed her hand over the arm that wasn’t in a cast. “You want me to get him for you?”
“I’d love to see him before I slip under again.”
Nodding, Bailey leaned down and kissed her brow. “I’ll see you later.”
Hart came in the room, looking gorgeous, as usual. He was six-five, covered in lean muscle, with short-cropped hair that tended to spring into soft brown curls if he let it grow. The same bright green eyes and latte skin she saw when she looked in the mirror.
He came across the room in jeans and a t-shirt. Strong arms slipped carefully around her torso. “Harpy, you scared about twenty years off my life.” Then he broke down and whispered. “I love you. I’m so happy you’re going to be okay.”
“It might take a while but I will.” She smiled. “Bailey said all of you have been here from the first day. What about the team?” He played for the Phoenix Suns and she’d never been prouder in her life than the day he signed his contract.
“We’re off right now but I stay in contact with my coaches.” He stood and wiped his face. “When the season starts in a few months, I’ll come back as much as I can.”
“Don’t mess up your career, Hart. I’m going to be fine.” He closed his eyes with a nod. “Thank you for helping with Lexie.”
“Like I’d let Mom and Dad have all the fun. She’s cooler every time I see her, Harley. Getting so damn tall.”
“You told her to grow fast. I guess she listened.”
He grinned. “We’ve been playing ball on the court in your complex. That girl has some serious hand-eye coordination.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t get her into sports?”
“I should have known better.”
Her smile faded. “Not that I’ll be much good in that department for a long time.”
Leaning over her bed, Hart growled. “Is that quitter-speak I’m hearing?” She laughed lightly. “One day at a time and you’ll be where you want to be. I’ve seen you come back again and again in your life. You’ll do it this time, too.”
“Alright.”
“I’m going to let you rest. I love you so much, always have…”
“Always will,” she finished for him and drifted to sleep as the sedative took effect.
Gradually, she stayed awake more and it had a profound effect on her daughter. The haunted expression of worry started to fade. She became her chattering, happy self.
Lexie filled her in on everything happening at school in the evenings when her parents picked her up. Harley could listen to her forever, especially since she’d missed her first day of regular school.
Her family assured her they’d taken a hundred photos and video.
Almost two weeks after she first woke up, Lexie was telling her about her new teacher. “She brought these mats to teach us yoga in PE. When I told her you already do it with me, she thought it was the coolest thing ever.”
“You’re a natural.”
“That’s what she said. I told her all about you and how you’re hurt.” Lexie took a hitching breath. “When my Hart came to pick me up with his friends, I was crying but they made me laugh and it was okay again.”
Harley went completely still. “Hart and his friends?”
Lexie nodded. “Beck and Dex. They are the funniest guys ever. They said they knew you when you were my age. Is that true, Mommy?”
Swallowing hard, she managed, “Yes. I’ve known them all my life.” She hadn’t seen or spoken to them since that horrible day. A hundred things passed through her mind at the same moment.
The biggest was Beck taking her daughter from her.
“Honey, I need to talk to Hart. Can you get him for me?”
“Sure, Mommy.” She climbed off the chair she used to stand on so
she could be closer to Harley and ran from the room.
Hart appeared in the doorway.
“Why are they here, Hart?”
“Harley…Mom called them. You were hurt so bad and we didn’t know what was going to happen. They love you and they’ve known you since you were born.” He shrugged. “Despite everything, we all thought they should be here.”
“I mean nothing to them.” She could not freak out. “Why, Hart?”
Hart cleared his throat. “They’re in love with you. They’ve been in love with you since you were fourteen.”
“They don’t know what love is. Lexie is mine, Hart. She is mine. Beck can’t take her from me.”
Frowning, her brother told her, “He isn’t going to take her from you, honey.” He rubbed his hand over his hair. “He was blown away when he found out but they adore her. They think you’re an amazing mom.”
Her heart rate monitor was beeping fast and her regular day nurse came in to check on her. Harley thought her name was Nancy. “Miss Jamison, I need you to remain calm.”
“Hart, if he takes her, I’ll die. I will die without her.”
“No, Harley! He wouldn’t do that. Not ever.”
The machine’s beeping was louder now and the nurse ushered him from the room. “You’ll have to leave for a little while. I don’t want to have to sedate her.”
Beside her bed again, the older woman said gently, “Miss Jamison. It’s important that you remain calm. Your body has been through too much trauma and sedatives on top of your pain medication isn’t a good idea. Nice, deep breaths.”
Harley nodded. She focused on slowing her heart and calming her mind.
“That’s it. Nice and steady breathing. You’re doing great.”
“Thank you. I don’t want to sleep when I don’t have to.”
“Your body is severely injured right now but I’ve been doing this a long time and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone recover as quickly as you. Your fractures and breaks are almost healed.” She patted her hand. “You’re strong and you must have taken good care of yourself. There will be a lot of physical therapy but focusing on you and your health is critical. Okay?”
Harley nodded. “Calm and steady.”
“Excellent. How about I send your daughter back in to visit? You’re so happy when she’s here.”
“She’s so young. I can’t believe she’s allowed to be with me so much.”
Nancy laughed and it was a pretty, full sound. “The amount of money your family and friends have brought to this hospital in the past two months is ridiculous.”
“They bribed you to let my daughter visit?”
“Bribe is such an ugly word.” Nancy winked. “When you have three professional basketball stars coming in and out of your long-term ward every day, it opens a lot of pockets.” She shrugged. “It loosens a few rules as well.”
She took her vitals with a nod. “Now, you relax and I’ll send Lexie in.”
The sight of her daughter in another adorable outfit did lift her heart and take her mind off her worry. She watched her climb back up on the chair with her bag from school.
“They poke you a lot here. Ugh! So many needles.” She shook her head seriously. “You need a story. Like when I’m sick. I brought some to read you.” For more than an hour, Lexie read her children’s books.
Eventually, she drifted to sleep to the lilting sound of her little girl’s voice. It was the first natural, peaceful sleep since she asked for fewer drugs.
Hart sat beside her bed when she opened her eyes. “Mom and Dad took Lexie home. She fell asleep with her head on your bed.” He grinned. “You’re looking better and better every day, Harp. The bruising and swelling is almost gone around your face. You’ll have to have your cheek and nose done but no big deal. You know we’re too pretty to handle damage to our face.”
“It’s those mulatto genes. Pretty skin, good hair, and bright eyes, bro. Tall and sexy as all get-out. No one ever believes me when I say I’m so glad I’m mixed. You and I got the best of everything. Me especially…Dad’s muscle, Mom’s curves.”
Harley laughed and winced in pain. “Is someone leaving Lexie’s nightlight on?” Her brother nodded. “She gets scared of the dark when I’m not home. She seems to know somehow.”
“She’s fucking smart, Harley. Just like you. It’s only been a few months since I’ve seen her and she’s grown so much.” His brow arched. “You’ve been teaching her to dance. Is it really a good idea for a five-year-old to know how to bump-n-grind?”
Harley laughed. “I didn’t teach her. I clean to music and she’s a great mimic.”
He took a deep breath. “I want you to know how Beck found out about Lexie. We didn’t tell him. They heard you screaming for her the first night you woke up. Mom and Dad took him aside. Chewed about forty pounds off his hide. You would have been proud.”
“I wish I could have seen that actually.”
“They’re good with her, Harley. I don’t want you to worry. I’ve talked to him about your fears. He understands why you don’t trust him.”
“The last time I saw him, he had his dick in one woman, with another one up to bat. Trust is not a word I can attach to him. I don’t know if I ever can. I’m struggling, Hart.”
“I know. I’m sorry but you knew there would come a day.” He leaned forward on his elbows. “Mom said you planned to come to Florida before you got hurt.”
“I don’t remember talking to her about it but…I’d been thinking about going home to visit.” She met his gaze with a small shrug. “I had a lot of good memories there…before. I missed it.”
“How long were you going to keep her a secret? How long could you really?”
Harley stared through the window. Based on how long she’d been here, it must be close to fall. She thought the leaves in the distance were changing.
“I kept thinking it would stop hurting. I thought if I could think about him, about them, without pain I would be ready to face them again.”
She gave him a small smile. “I don’t understand why the hurt goes on and on. I don’t know why I can’t seem to not love them. Everyone says time makes it better but, for me, it seems to make it worse.”
“Have you dated? Maybe if you found someone else…”
She shook her head. “I tried. I swear I did. I even got intimate a couple of times but it felt wrong and it made me physically sick. I have to be emotionally attached and those two are the only ones who ever clicked for me.” Her eyes drifted closed. “I’ve loved them so long that I’m tuned to them on a frequency I can’t find with anyone else.”
“I’m sorry, Harley.”
“I don’t mind being alone. I have my little girl, my family, and a full life. I can be content with that. I have been content with that for years.”
Her brother stared at her for a long time. “Harley, I won’t interfere. They’re here because we thought you might die. They’re my best friends and I love them but you have to come first. I learned my lesson.”
“The cat’s out of the bag now. We can’t stuff it back in. Just…please, Hart…don’t let anyone take her from me. Right now, I know I’m not fit. I would lose in court.”
“I give you my word that Lexie will never be taken from you but you don’t have to worry.”
There was a soft knock and she glanced up.
“Harley.” Beck stood ten feet away and everything inside her froze.
Chapter Nine
“All I ask is that you let me talk to you for one minute. Then I’ll go, I promise. I don’t want to upset you, Harley.”
Beck’s voice washed over her, so familiar to her heart. Tied to so many memories in her past; anchored to the dreams she once had of her future.
The way he said her name…then Harley remembered the last time she heard him say it. When she caught him cheating on her with two women, knowing how much she loved him.
“Why are you here, Beck?”
“I love you. You almost died. Where
else would I be, Harley?”
The pain in her heart was worse than her injuries. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
“Dude, she’s still livid with you.” Dex’s voice was equally disruptive to her peace of mind. He stood just behind Beck and smiled at her over his shoulder. “Hi, Harley.”
“Ah, the human shield.”
He winced. “I deserve that.”
“You both deserve a lot more than that.” She closed her eyes to block the image of them. Having them here, so close, was brutal. “I can’t do this. It isn’t right for you to be here when I’m not strong enough to defend myself.”
“There’s no reason to defend yourself, Harley,” Beck said gently. “We aren’t here to hurt you or upset you.” She opened her eyes and they stood beside her bed.
“Harley. Please listen for thirty seconds and then I’ll go, but I’m going to come back every day until you talk to me.” His voice was deeper than she remembered. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything I did, for everything that happened.”
She squeezed her eyes shut and started counting. Her entire body vibrated with stress. When she got to thirty, she whispered, “I can’t do this. I cannot do this.”
A moment later, the door clicked closed and she burst into tears. Trying to reach the tissue box on the bedside table, she was startled when it was placed in her hand.
Looking up, Dex stood over her.
“Why can’t you both just leave me alone?” The big man leaned forward and carefully wiped her face. It caused a fresh flood of tears to stream down her cheeks. Unable to meet his eyes, she whispered, “Isn’t my total humiliation enough? What more do you want?”
Dex sat in the chair beside the bed and remained silent. As she started to drift off, she felt him take her hand through the bars of the bed.
Harley didn’t pull away even though she knew she should.
A long time later, she woke up and it was dark. Dex slept in the chair beside her and still held her hand. His forearm pressed warmly against her uninjured leg. His hair was a little shorter and his natural skin tone a little darker, pulled tight over high cheekbones.
Love of the Game - The Complete Collection (Box Set) Page 37
