Page 17 of Break

“Peachy… How long will I be out of the game for?”

He chuckles and pulls out his tablet to take some notes. “Just three days of downtime, usually. You’ll be fine by Monday. I just need you to sign these forms, and make sure you come back for your first appointment in two weeks. We will be checking your sperm count until they hit zero, usually around the three to six month mark.”

I nod and settle back as I read through all of the forms and waivers, initialing and signing as I go. Use protection, don’t have sex for a few weeks. What to do when you’re in pain and the signs and symptoms of infections.

“All right. I’ll be right back. Go ahead and undress from the waist down and place this blanket over you. I’ll numb you up and you’ll be out of here within twenty minutes.” He shakes my hand and takes the paperwork from my fist before he steps out.

Here we go. Three to six more months of no sex. Hopefully less. I’m not taking any chances.

My hands shake as I remove my slacks, shoes and socks, and lastly, my boxers.

My balls… fuck, I’m terrified. Will I still finish like normal? Will it still feel good? Maybe I should have done more research before booking this.

Sweat starts dripping from my temples and my hands are so clammy.

Twenty minutes later, I’m hobbling out of the room with an ice pack shoved into my boxer briefs. I lean against the counter as I make my next appointment with the receptionist before I whine and limp my way over to Nolan.

“Hey man, how’s it feel to be neutered?” He guffaws as he stands and moves to clap my back but holds himself back.

I snort as I limp out to his truck and groan as I sit down. “Feels like I’ve been kicked in the balls repeatedly. Just take me home… I have plenty of whiskey and ibuprofen, plus some ice packs in the freezer ready to go. He said I wouldn’t need much more than that.”

He shrugs as he backs out of the space and we head towards my house. “You sure you don’t want me to stay the weekend with you? I can be your little bitch boy for a few days.”

I wave him away and pull out my phone, sending a message to Alyssa to see if she wants to come over for dinner. Caroline has been talking to me every day, but radio silence from Lyss. “I’ll be fine. I’m going to see if the girls want to come over this weekend for a talk… starting with Alyssa tonight.”

Nolan sighs and focuses on the road. “I think this Alex girl is a mistake, man. Women have a sixth sense about this shit. I mean, legit, Marie, basically your other half… Upped and left without a word within minutes of meeting the woman. She hasn’t even talked to me or Landon at all, either, which is unlike her. Something must have happened.”

I sigh and tap my fingers along the door, silent for several moments. “I don’t know what the fuck happened, man. They’ll come around. Alex can’t trap me in a pregnancy now. Marie was probably just being protective, but it’s the smart thing to do. I don’t want kids and waiting to get snipped was just dumb… theamount of women we bang, shit it could have happened at any time.”

We’re silent for the rest of the drive to my place and Nolan helps me to the living room. “I’ll stop by after practice tomorrow… Maybe the boys and I can get some fun cupcakes or something.”

I roll my eyes as I lay down on the soft leather cushions, holding back a groan. How do women endure childbirth? This is nuts. I snort to myself as I get comfortable and wince when Nolan tosses the remote at my head. “Sure, come by anytime.” He nods at me and brings in my bags from his truck from our trip, leaving me alone once he’s done.

All alone in this stupid house.

It’s silent.

I put on a movie and saw that Alyssa replied saying she’s busy this weekend with Marie and she’ll see me next week.

I text Caroline, begging my other sister to talk Alyssa into coming by this weekend and that I have a few days off.

Me:Please? Not even any practice this weekend. I’m free until Monday morning…

Caroline:I’ll see what I can do, J. It’s not a good time for Marie, but maybe I can trick Lyss into it. Just dinner.

I stare at the TV blankly while my life spirals around me. Maybe Nolan is right…

____________

I’m up and walking, feeling almost 100% by Sunday night. The girls are finally coming over to have dinner and I’m anervous wreck, I haven’t seen them in a week – which is the longest I’ve gone since the day they were born, aside from away games. This is absolute torture.

I ordered from their favorite restaurant and even set the table. I pulled out their favorite juices and sodas and ordered Marie’s favorite meal from the Italian restaurant from down the road for the girls to take to her after they leave. A peace offering.

By the time the food gets here, Caroline’s red Mercedes SUV is parking in the driveway. I leave the front door open for them and crush them with hugs and forehead kisses until they push me away.

They’re both just under six-feet tall, only a handful of inches shorter than me. I still can’t believe that those tiny babies Marie and I held in our arms are so damn tall, so grown up.

They were born so early and premature that it was touch and go for a while there. Shockingly the nurses let Marie and I in there every day, without my parents. Since they went right back to partying and drinking, doing drugs.

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