Page 119 of Bagging the Blueliner
Taking a deep breath, I corrected, “No, the night of the injury.” Why I felt the need to torture myself by hearing this, I couldn’t be sure, but I had to know.
Dropping his gaze to the floor, his voice softened. “It was bad, man.”
Swallowing past the lump forming in my throat, I demanded, “Tell me.”
“We were in the locker room, and it was dead silent after they took you away. Coach denied post-game media access, so when I heard the frantic yelling through the thick door to the locker room, I sprang into action. Hannah was pounding on the training room door, begging to be let in. She thought you were in there. When I explained they’d taken you to the hospital and that you were unconscious, she collapsed in my arms, hysterical. It gutted me knowing there was nothing I could do for her.”
“Jesus,” I breathed out.
Jaxon continued, “Natalie took over for a minute so I could change before taking Hannah to the hospital. I ran to the bathroom and threw up, picturing Natalie in her shoes. It’s onething to know something like that could happen, but it’s a whole different story when you experience firsthand how it impacts the women we love.”
All I could do was press a hand to my churning stomach, the guilt gnawing at me, knowing she’d gone through hell, and I’d been forced to carelessly toss her aside shortly after. Coach had mentioned how upset Hannah was that night—he clearly didn’t have a soul asking me to kick her while she was down.
“She was such a mess when we reached the hospital that they wanted to sedate her.” Shaking his head, Jaxon finally looked up at me. “How could you do this to her?”
Clenching my free fist—anger at Coach flowing freely—I gritted out, “I didn’t have a choice.”
“Fuck that,” he shot back. “Fix it. I can see it in your eyes—you still love her. It’s her birthday today, for God’s sake!”
“I know,” I whispered. “I just can’t.”
Drop it, Jaxon. I’m in enough pain.
Benji jumped in. “Wait, you’re in love with her?”
Shrugging, I replied, “It doesn’t matter.”
“The fuck it doesn’t!” Jaxon roared, attracting attention from a few stragglers in the lobby. “You’ve never been serious about any woman, but seeing you with Hannah? It was like you became a better version of yourself. That’s what love does. You’d be a fool to throw this away.”
Benji’s head whipped between the two of us in shock. Pointing at Jaxon accusingly, he asked, “You knew?”
Jaxon rolled his eyes. “Not by choice. Get yourself a girl, and maybe you can start hanging out with us more when we do couple things.”
“Fuck that.” Benji shuddered at the thought. “I don’t need your secrets that badly. Women are more trouble than they’re worth. Good for one thing, and one thing only.”
“Nice,” Jaxon muttered dryly.
Holding his hands up in defense, Benji was unapologetic. “Just calling it like I see it.”
Glaring at him, Jaxon remarked, “I hope someday a woman brings you to your knees and you have to admit just how wrong you are.”
“Doubtful,” Benji scoffed.
For once, I agreed with Benji. Love was more trouble than it was worth.
Declining the offer to join some of the senior members of the team for dinner, I locked myself in my hotel room. This was the first road trip in months where I would be sleeping alone.
Fuck. I miss her.
Ordering room service, I reclined on the bed, my eyes open but unfocused as the TV provided background noise—I couldn’t bear the silence. A ding coming from my phone had me reaching for it, hope blossoming. It was quickly dashed when my lock screen showed an email alert from Holden.
Oh no.
Knowing what was inside, I opened the email, a rock settling in the pit of my stomach.
Cal,
Sorry this took so long, but I got backed up and could only work on it in my spare time. Your girl is really talented. You should bring her by when you’re done for the season. I can make a few calls and have some people take a look at her. I think she has something special, and it would be a shame not to share her gift with the world. She could bea star, and you know I don’t say that lightly. Good luck against Miami tonight. Hope this year is your year. You deserve it.
