Page 34 of Away Game

We all stood at the same time. Coach stepped past us and shook the doctor’s hand. “How is he?”

“It’s not good, but we won’t know how bad the tear in his shoulder is until the swelling goes down. He has an appointment with a specialist who will look at it next week. Until then, he needs to keep his arm in a sling and not use it under any circumstance. We’ll also give him a prescription for some pain meds and an anti-inflammatory.”

Coach nodded along with everything the doctor said. When he looked up, there was a deep V between his brows. “Do you think he’s out for the rest of the season?”

“I think it’s a good assumption.” The doctor placed his hand on Coach’s arm. “I know he’s an important part of your team.”

“He is, but I’m more worried about his mental state if he can’t play. These kids…” He choked up and swallowed loudly. “When can he go home?”

“After a therapist comes in and talks to him about mobility, he should be able to leave.” The doctor looked over Coach’s shoulder to us. “I assume all of you are his friends. I know it can be difficult, but you need to try and make sure he doesn’t move his shoulder as much as possible.”

“He’s going to kill us,” Oz grumbled but nodded to the doctor.

Coach crossed his arms over his chest and widened his stance while looking back at the way the doctor came out. “Can we see him? Maybe if a couple of us are there when the therapist tells him what he can and can’t do, it will help us know what to do.”

“That’s a good idea.” The doctor nodded. “You and two others can come back with me. I don’t need to tell you boys to behave, do I?”

“No, sir,” we all answered simultaneously.

Ridley immediately stepped back and looked off in the other direction while Ford looked uneasy.

Stepping up, I looked at our group. “I can help Fin when he needs it. It helps that I’m on the fourth floor with him.”

“True, and you’re his BFF,” Ford added, smirking at Oz.

“Follow me,” the doctor said and didn’t look back.

Oz and I stayed behind Coach as we made our way back into the emergency room. I tried not to listen to the sounds and smells, but it was hard when there were a few people lining the halls while in their beds.

“Do you have a death wish?” Oz chuckled under his breath. “I don’t know what’s going on between you and Fin, but I’m starting to think bringing you here wasn’t the smartest idea.”

I couldn’t look at him when I answered. I wasn’t sure why Fin felt like he had to hide his feelings from Oz, but I wasn’t going to out him. “Nothing is going on. Fin helped me when I needed it, and I’d like to do the same for him.”

“That was surprising coming from him, especially since it involved you. Don’t get me wrong, I like you, but Fin—”

“Doesn’t,” I supplied.

“He’s not all bad under there; otherwise, I wouldn’t be friends with him, but it’s his story to tell why he is the way he is. Maybe one day, you’ll find out.”

I couldn’t say I had a good idea why Fin acted the way he did toward me. While he was an asshole to most everyone, I got the brunt of it.

The doctor stopped in front of a door and knocked before he turned to look at us. “Why don’t the two of you stay back and give your coach a minute before you come in.”

Now that I was only a few feet away from Fin, I was second-guessing my decision to be here. Not because I didn’t care, I did, but because I was afraid of what Fin’s reaction would be.

It didn’t take me long to find out I was right. The moment I stepped through the door and Fin saw me, I knew I was going to have to put up an extra barricade to get through this with Fin.

“Why are you here?” Fin growled, his eyes narrowed on me.

“I came to make sure you’re okay, and I’m the only guy here who lives on the same floor as you, so if you need—”

“I don’t need your help. I’ll go stay down in Oz’s room before that happens.”

“Um,” Oz’s eyes widened as he looked down at his friend in the hospital bed. “As much as I love you, bro, you’re not living down in my room until you can use your shoulder. If you need help, you can text, but I won’t always be there, and West offered to help if I can’t.”

“I just bet he did,” Fin gritted out. I was surprised he didn’t break a tooth on his words.

17

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