Page 189 of Rebound
“He wears my name on his back. He’s here because of me.” Mr. Maddox’s face is red and twisted with anger.
“Actually, he wears my name on his back, and I’m proud he chose to do it.”
With that, I step around him and rush to the medical room. The guys are standing outside, their helmets off, but still in their gear.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“The doctor is examining him,” Ford says.
“He was talking when they brought him in,” Drew adds. He sounds so casual about it all. I love my brother, but god he’s infuriating sometimes.
“Oh, if he was talking, I guess that makes the potential head injury okay,” I say, each word laced with sarcasm. I push them out of the way and open the door for the medical room.
I hear Jules and Drew arguing on the other side as the door closes.
“Ew, your arm touched mine,” Jules whines.
“Fuck’s sake. Are you happy now? Do you think I have cooties?” Drew sounds frustrated.
“You might! I don’t know where you’ve been,” Jules replies.
The door shuts and I’m in the room. Roman’s lying on a bed as the team doctor checks him out. Coach is standing against the wall, watching as the doctor examines Roman. When Roman sees me, the biggest smile steals across his face. He looks absolutely fine, and I feel a little relieved.
“There she is,” Roman says. “Doc, have you met my wife?”
Dr. Goldberg looks at me and nods. “She's been in here a time or two with her brother.”
Roman’s smile doesn't dissipate. “Isn't she beautiful and absolutely brilliant? Have you ever seen her play?”
“Yes, I watched the Olympics,” Dr. Goldberg says.
“Is this really the time for this conversation?” I demand. “I'm freaking out here.”
Roman’s face softens and he ushers me towards him. I walked to his side and put my hand in his. He feels warm and solid under my hand.
“I'm sorry you were worried,” he whispers.
I laugh humorlessly. “Worried doesn't even begin to encapsulate what I was feeling. I was terrified you weren't going to wake up and I swear my heart stopped.”
He watches me with gentle eyes, understanding stealing across his features. Slowly he lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it. “You'll never have to be without me. I'll find you in all our lives.”
Logistically, I know it's not a promise he can keep. Life is too cruel for promises like that, and no one knows what happens after it. Still, it fills me with the comfort and relief I’m seeking. Talking to him, having his hand in mine, is helping to calm down my rapid heart rate.
Dr. Goldberg asks me to step aside because he has to test Roman for a concussion. I refuse to leave his hand, so I give him as much space as possible.
“I'm going to file an official complaint with the Commissioner’s office,” Coach says. “What Josh did on the ice was a malicious attack and not in the spirit of the game.”
“I'm pretty sure Josh has had other complaints filed against him and he's gotten off with a fine,” Roman says. “For some reason, the Commissioner has a real hard-on for him.”
“Well, the Commissioner also has a signed Aiden Callahan jersey hanging in his office,” I say. “Your attack plus the videos will have to ensure that Josh is suspended.”
Roman’s had snaps to look at me. “What videos?”
“Mr. Maddox, please let me do my examination,” Dr. Goldberg chides gently.
“I'll tell you later,” I whisper.
I stay in the room during the rest of the examination until Dr. Goldberg confirms that Roman has a mild concussion, but everything else is fine. Coach goes out to tell the rest of the team. Mild concussions are expected and while I feel like I want to kill Josh, I’m also immensely relieved that Roman doesn't have a serious injury.
