Page 175 of Double Fault

I pull out my bags and toss all my things in them.

In a few hours, I’ll be back with my family.

For the first time since Noah and I decided I should come back home, my heart feels whole again.

CHAPTER 44

NOAH

My swollen,elevated ankle is wrapped and impossible to actually look at right now, yet it mocks me.

I made it to the fucking Olympics and I’m out just like that. All because I landed wrong and rolled my ankle. I was tempted to push through, but I knew in my gut that if I did, I’d only worsen the injury, and I’d all but lost out on my chance at a medal already, so why risk it?

Fisher removes the icepack and observes my wrapped ankle. “The swelling is going down.”

“Only because you’re acting like an overprotective mother hen.”

Chuckling, he saunters over to the freezer, ice pack in hand. “Can’t I worry about my best friend?”

Eyes closed, I pinch the bridge of my nose, cursing the thoughts warring in my head. Chances are the next Olympics will be my last opportunity to earn a medal. I don’t see myself competing for another eight years, but I’ll work my ass off for the next four in preparation.

It’s sobering, knowing that what Fisher went through was even worse. While I know I’ll recover, his injury meant the end of his career. Suddenly, I feel like a pathetic asshole for sulking.

“How did you deal with it?” I ask. “When you knew it was over?”

Sighing heavily, he sits beside me on the bed and picks up the remote.

“Let’s see.” He flicks from channel to channel quickly. “I got angry, then I got sad, followed by angry again. I got drunk a lot. I thought my life was over. Then, when I thought I couldn’t sink any lower, my best friend asked if I’d be interested in coaching him. From there, things started to make sense again.”

“You were a great player, man. I hope you know that.”

“Better than you?” he jokes.

“Better than me and Elias combined.”

I’mnotjoking.

If Fisher hadn’t gotten hurt, he would’ve dominated all of us.

He clears his throat and shifts, like the conversation is making him uncomfortable. “Life had other plans for me. You learn to roll with the punches.”

“Still, I’m sorry it happened.”

He shrugs. “I’ve moved on. And this? I know it sucks right now, dude, but it’s not the end.”

“I know, but can I have at least a few days to mourn? I don’t even have my girl here to help me feel better.”

With a laugh, he drops the remote again. “I guess the least I can do is give you a few days to mope.”

“Dad?” Maddie pokes her head through the doorway, iPad clutched to her chest.

“Yeah?” I ask, adjusting the pillow behind my head. I’ll get up and walk around a little in a few minutes to ensure my ankle doesn’t get stiff. I just can’t put my full weight on it.

“Someone is knocking on the door.”

I peer over at Fisher. “Did you order room service?”

With a shake of his head, he stands. “I’ll see what it is.”

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