Page 38 of A Little Too Forward

For a brief second, I think he’s looking up at the box, searching for me, until I realize how silly that is. I’m getting too in my head about all of this.

The first period passes in a blur of action and power plays. Both teams are fighting for the puck with a physicality you don’t usually see until playoff time. My eyes follow Max each time he speeds onto the ice.

I’m up and out of my seat, cursing at the blind ref when Max gets hit by Minkenov, a forward for Chicago. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I cry, pointing to the ice where Max is jumping back up to his skates. “How did you miss that high stick?”

The Toronto crowd boos at the dirty play, but no penalty is given.

I don’t bother sitting down. My anxiety is sky-high as Toronto continues to fight for possession. Mason gains control of the puck and powers down the centre, looking for his shot. He passes it to Pascal, who moves it back to Mason. Then, twisting around the Chicago defense like a goddamn legend, Max gains the puck and takes his shot.

Goal!

The crowd goes wild as the buzzer sounds and red lights fill the arena.

I’m jumping and cheering as loud as I can…and then it all stops.

Minkenov takes Max unaware and slams him into the boards. The slam can be heard through the cheering. It’s sickening. Horrific to watch.

Max crumbles to the ice, unmoving.

All hell breaks loose. Toronto piles onto the Chicago players. Too stunned to move, I watch as Mason pummels Minkenov, the refs unable to tear them apart. Through the chaos, two Toronto trainers run across the ice to get to Max. He’s still out cold and not responding to whatever they’re saying to him.

“You need to get down there.” Kate grabs my biceps and pulls me from my spot. “He’s out for the rest of the game. Get down there and be with him.”

I’m in such a daze all I can do is nod. Kate lets go of my arm but still gives me a nudge in the direction of a security guard. He motions for me to follow him, and I do. I’ve never walked so quickly in all my life.

When we get down to the players’ dressing room and lounge area, there’s activity everywhere. From the TVs in each corner of the room, I can see that play has resumed, but I don’t stop to watch. I need to find Max.

“Excuse me,” I call out to the first trainer I recognize and race toward him. “How’s Max? Where is he?”

“He’s being checked out further. He’s sustained a concussion and is a little dazed at the moment. Are you—”

“Yes,” I say, not caring if he was about to ask me if I was family, a girlfriend or whatever. I need to be with Max, so I’ll be whatever they want me to be.

“Okay, then they should be out in a few minutes.”

He walks away before I can start asking anything else. Unable to stay still, I pace the room, eyeing the double doors that lead to the assessment rooms every time I hear a noise. I don’t know how long I wait, but when they finally open and reveal Max, I finally take a breath.

He’s being supported by a trainer, but when he sees me, Max gives me a small smile. Even that small movement seems to hurt him. His brow furrows in pain.

“I’m here,” I whisper to him, reaching for his hand once he’s seated. “It’s okay.”

He doesn’t say anything, just blinks at me. He’s pale, and it feels like he’s shaking a bit as I continue to soothe him. More trainers, safety staff, and doctors come to chat with Max, but it’s clear he needs more medical attention.

When they load Max onto the ambulance they called, I give him a reassuring wave. As soon as they begin pulling out of the lot, I run back to the locker room area and get the trainers help to find his keys. I need a ride to the hospital and I know Max won’t mind me driving his car. Especially if it means getting me to his side faster.

Driving to the hospital is a blur. I park as close as I can to the Emergency Entrance and race inside. After speaking to a nurse and begging her to tell me where Max was, I make it just in time as he’s being wheeled into the imaging department. I reach for Max’s hand, giving him reassuring squeezes every now and then to let him know I’m not going anywhere.

The only time we’re separated is when he goes in for his CT scan. Stepping out into the hallway, I sag against the wall. My limbs are tense with worry, and I can feel a headache coming on, but none of that matters to me. I just need Max to be okay.

I should probably call his parents to let them know what’s happening. Grabbing my cell from my bag, I see that they’ve already called me, along with my dad and brothers. All of them know I was at the game tonight.

I tap Judy’s contact, and the call goes through. It only rings once before Judy picks up.

“How is he? What’s happening?”

Judy’s voice is frantic, pleading for information.

“He’s okay. We’re at the hospital, and he just went in for a CT scan. It’s a probable concussion, but we don’t know the severity. No bones are broken, and he didn’t mention any pain anywhere else other than his neck and head. He’s going to be removed from play for a minimum of a week. There’s no doubt about that.”

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