Page 78 of Drop Shot
Jackson glances sideways at me and I ignore him.
It’s unusual for a manager to follow their player around, but I think after Elias’s last few catastrophic meltdowns that led to our current predicament, Jackson feels better keeping a closer eye on him.
It isn’t too much longer until the game gets underway and I’m locked in. Not caring about the heat or the crowd or even Jackson. All that matters is what’s happening on the clay court.
Come on, Elias. I think to myself.You’ve got this.
He’s a force out there. There’s a determination in him today that’s been lacking the past few months. I see it in the set of his jaw and brow—he refuses to lose. He wants to go to the finals.
That’s when he falls and doesn’t get back up.
CHAPTER 25
ELIAS
“Can I get you anything?”Whimsy asks from the end of the bed, nervously wringing her hands together like I’m a bomb that might blow any second. My leg is elevated with ice on my knee and it’s taking everything I have not to either scream or cry.
I was playing good—great even. For the first time in months the disconnect I’ve been feeling between my mind and body was completely gone. Honestly, until this match I couldn’t have said that’s what had been happening, but I know it now.
The fall happened quickly, and I thought nothing of it. I thought the wind was just knocked out of me, but it became apparent quickly there was something more going on.
Forced to retire from the game, here I am with no idea if I’ll be healed in time for the French Open. The doctors seemed confident I would be fine if I take it easy. The problem is I can’t afford to take it easy. I need to practice. I need to fucking win.
“I’m good.” I pat the space beside me in bed. “Can we watchJurassic Parkagain?”
She laughs, shoulders sagging with relief. “You really want to watch it again?”
“Yeah, Whim. That’s what’ll make me feel better.”
She climbs into bed beside me. “Well, if you insist. I’ll never turn down my favorite movies.”
She puts the movie on and adjusts the pillows behind her. “If only we had snacks.”
“We can order room service,” I suggest.
She waves away my idea. “I’m not that hungry.” She eyes my knee. “Should I change your ice? Get the heating pad?”
I reach over and pull her close until there’s not an inch of space between us. “Right now, cuddling is the only thing that’s going to make me feel better.”
She frowns. “If you’re sure.”
“Positive.”
She settles against me, but there’s still a stiffness to her. I’m hoping it’ll work its way out as the movie progresses.
With my arm draped around her, I play with the ends of her hair.
I’m going to have to get some of that eyeliner shit she was trying to use this morning. I watched several video tutorials on the winged style she usually dons, but I know I’m going to have to practice. The next time her hands are giving her trouble I want to be able to help her. She shouldn’t miss out on things she loves just because her body is having a bad day.
“I love these movies so much,” she murmurs. I feel the vibration of her voice against my chest.
“So you’ve told me.” I continue to play with her hair, and she doesn’t swat me away so I take that as a good sign.
“Dinosaurs are so cool.”
“Which one is your favorite?” I ask, my fingers now skimming the top of her bare shoulder exposed from her tank top.
“Brachiosaurus,” she answers with no hesitation.
