Page 69 of The P*ssy Next Door

“How is he?” I asked, my voice raw with emotion. “Have you heard anything?”

Mr. Kingman shook his head, his jaw tight. “Not yet. The doctors are still examining him.”

As if on cue, a man in a white coat appeared, and another in what looked more like a track suit. Both of their expressions were grave. The guy in the white coat called out, “Family of Hayes Kingman?”

We surged forward as one, our hands clasped tightly together. “That's us,” Mr. Kingman said, his voice steady despite the tension in his frame. “How's my son?”

The white coat guy consulted his clipboard, his brow furrowed. “Hayes sustained a concussion during the game. We're following the League's protocols to the letter, and I want to keep him overnight.”

Track suit held out his hand to Mr. Kingman. “I'm the UNC assigned to the Mustangs for today's game, Mr. Kingman.”

I whispered to Jules. “What's a UNC?”

“Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant. The League takes the concussion protocol really seriously.”

Neurotrauma? I was maybe going to throw up. It was just a game. It wasn't supposed to be life threatening.

Mr. Kingman nodded. “You did the locker room comprehensive concussion exam? You've got his pre-season baseline neuro report?”

“Yes, sir. Since he lost consciousness, the team’s head physician and I both agreed that we needed to get him to the EAP-designated trauma center for more advanced evaluation and treatment. I've assisted on the diagnosis.”

The bitter taste of bile and my grandmother's Christmas goose rose up the back of my throat.

“We'll get him into the training room in a few days, but he's going to need to rest and avoid any strenuous activity for the time being.”

I sagged with relief, tears pricking at the back of my eyes. Rest and avoid strenuous activity was so not what I thought he was going to say. I'd already spiraled into brain damage and learning how to walk and talk and feed himself again. Hayes was going to be okay.

“There's more,” the doctor continued, and my stomach clenched with renewed fear. “He also dislocated his shoulder during the impact. We've reset it, but he'll need to keep it immobilized for a few weeks to allow it to heal properly.”

Mr. Kingman nodded, his expression grim. “Can we see him?”

The doctor hesitated, glancing at the assembled crowd. “He's still groggy from the pain medication, so I'm only going to allow one visitor at a time.”

Mr. Kingman squared his shoulders, and I was ready to look for a chair to wait. I just needed to hear from someone who knew him personally that he was okay. I could wait. I could. I would. I might die first, but I could wait.

But then Mr. Kingman turned to look at me. “Willa, you should go.”

I blinked, surprised. “Me? But you're his father, you should be the one...”

He shook his head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “No, I'm sure he'll be asking for his fiancée sooner than he will his dad.”

I stared at him, my mouth falling open.

Jules grinned, nudging me forward. “Go on, this isn't our first rodeo in a hospital waiting room.” She motioned to her six other brothers. “I practically grew up here. We know the drill.”

In a daze, I followed the doctor down the hallway, my mind reeling. Fiancée? What on earth had Hayes been telling his family? Or perhaps they were all just savvier than I was at the moment and knew they wouldn't let me see him if I wasn't considered family.

I stepped into his room and saw him lying there, his face pale and his arm strapped to his chest, and all other thoughts fled my mind.

“Hayes,” I whispered, taking trembling steps to his bedside. “Oh god, baby. I was so scared.”

His eyes fluttered open, but they were hazy with pain and probably some really good drugs. “Willa? Did you see me win the game?”

“Of course I did, you big lug.” I wanted so badly to touch him, to hold him, but I was worried I'd hurt him more. “Maybe next time, do that without scaring me half to death.”

He smiled, wincing slightly. “I’m fine, flower. Just got my bell rung, that's all.”

I laughed, a watery, hiccuping sound. “That's exactly what Xander said.”

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