Page 72 of Get Me to the Starting Line

I sigh. “Julien’s dad lives in Montreal. He doesn’t have any other family.”

Adam glances at me with surprise, but I shake my head. Now is not the time.

“How can we get in touch with him?”

“Why are you not asking Julien this?” I say, eyes narrowing.

“Dr. Sharpe, I understand there’s protocol but if it’s an emergency, I’ve been put in charge of Julien’s medical decisions.” Whyatt has the patience of a saint.

Caleb’s face says he finds that suspicious, a little too convenient, but doesn’t argue. “We had to put Julien under anaesthesia to reduce the hip, as it’s a painful process. He’s not awake yet.”

I breathe out slowly. At least he wasn’t rushed into emergency surgery.

“Caleb, just tell us,” Adam barks.

Caleb sighs, addressing the coach. “The call on whether to opt for surgery needs to happen soon, sooner than Julien will be able to wake up and make an educated decision himself. The scans show no damage to nerves or blood vessels and there are no fractures. Given the hit he took, he’s lucky. But there is some damage to the soft tissue.”

“What does that mean?” I ask quietly, my mind racing with possibilities.

Caleb turns to me like he’s just noticed I’m here. Paige was right, he’s a dick. “It means we can take him to surgery to fix it, or we can let it heal on its own.”

“What’s the best option to get him back on the ice fastest?” Coach Whyatt asks.

“What’s the best option for proper, long-term healing?” I correct, glaring at the coach.

“In my opinion, the non-surgical route is better,” Caleb says simply.

“Why?” I need all the answers.

“We were able to reduce the hip within the timeframe necessary for optimal healing. Surgery isn’t a guarantee for a quicker recovery.”

“Will he be able to play without surgery?” Whyatt asks. This guy is playing with fire. Doesn’t he care about anything else?

“Recovery is long—two to three months minimum, and even then, limited mobility is to be expected after it’s healed. But typically, athletes take the healing process seriously. He’ll be healed by playoffs.”

Whyatt looks relieved, his shoulders losing their tension, like Julien being fit for playoffs was his biggest concern.

“And after playoffs?” I need to know how this will affect him long-term.

“There are a lot of variables at play here. It might be in his best interest to retire after the season. Given his age and the stress of his position, his body might not be up for much more, if he makes it to playoffs.” Caleb shoots a stern look at Whyatt, and despite the fact that both my sister and Adam hate this guy, I’m grateful. At least he wants the best for his patients.

Adam turns to Whyatt, brow furrowed. “Julien is nearing the end of his career, Coach. He’s got one year left on his contract. There’s talk of trading him to Montreal next year if he doesn’t retire. They want him home when he finishes. We can’t take that away from him.”

Suddenly I feel as though I was the one hit by a giant-ass hockey player. Why didn’t he tell me? It’s not like Julien talks a lot, but this? I didn’t know this. I knew about his dad but not about his job.

Julien could be leaving.

And I’ve been falling for him without realizing.

Falling for someone who is leaving.

Fuck.Theelevatorinmy building isn’t working. Getting around with a brace and a walking aid for the last week has been a nightmare. It’s bad enough Adam and Paige have been hovering since I got home from the hospital.

I all but kicked them out yesterday. I’m hurt, not on my deathbed. And I am capable of doing things, as evidenced when I went out on my own yesterday and got food. However, I can’t get up to my apartment.

Calling the super was no help at all. He said he’s had many complaints today and the elevator is down for the foreseeable future. The only option is to sit in the lobby, eat my food, and try to figure out what to do next.

The reasonable thing to do would be to call Adam or Paige. I know they’d be here in a heartbeat, offering for the thousandth time to let me stay with them. I don’t like being that far out of the city.

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