Page 54 of Cross Check My Heart
Grey doesn’t wait any longer, offering me a nod as he heads out, Landon following right behind him with worry spread across his face. He pats my shoulder as he passes me, but hustles to catch up to Greyson.
Twenty minutes later, a nurse comes to take me to see Lilly. The moment she said my name, I was out of my chair before she even finished speaking. I saw Lilly right before she went to get checked out by a doctor, so logically I know she’s okay. Aside from the cut on the back of her head and a headache. Yet I still couldn’t stop thinking about all the “what ifs?”
What if she has a concussion?
What if she needed stitches or fractured her skull?
What if her head hit the wall harder than she said and there’s a hematoma?
Yeah, the nurse had perfect timing because I was clearly about to spiral with completely irrational thoughts.
I walk into the room on bated breath, only when my eyes land on Lilly, do I begin to relax. She’s sitting on the hospital bed, aside from looking completely exhausted, she’s okay. Her hair is hanging forward over both shoulders in two messy braids, the straps of her sports bras are pushed to the sides as she massages her shoulders.
The smile that stretches across her face when she sees me in the doorway has my breath catching. Before I even make the decision, I’m crossing the room.
“Hey, Sunshine.” Even if she seems fine, I need to ask. “You okay?”
Her smile falls and part of me wishes I could take back my question, but I need to know the answer. If only to stop my own spiraling thoughts. Before she gets the chance to answer, I reach out to cup her cheek in my hand. Her eyes close as she leans into my touch, letting out a heavy exhale. I gently lower myself to sit on the edge of her bed and reach for her with my free hand. Itisn’t until I go to squeeze her hand in mine that I remember my bandage.
There’s no time to think about pulling away because Lilly already has my hand gently clasped between hers. As she sits up and scowls down at it, I use my now free hand to run along my jaw.
“You’re hurt.” It’s not a question, if anything it sounds like she only said it to confirm it with herself. “When did this happen?”
Her eyes are pleading with me, and I know she is hoping that I’ll say it’s from practice. But I haven’t lied to her before, there’s no point in doing so now. Carefully, I turn my hand to awkwardly hold hers. When she tips her head back to meet my gaze, I flash a small smile in hopes to ease her worries.
“It’s just a few cuts. Nothing major, just needed some antibiotic ointment and to keep it clean and covered tonight.” Her eyes widen and swell up with tears threatening to escape. “Trust me, Lilly, I’m okay. The nurse even said I’m more than okay to play tomorrow. It’s literally just a couple scrapes and they are one hundred percent worth it.”
Her head shakes slowly side to side as she inspects my hand. A few curls have escaped the loose braids and start to tangle with the chain of her necklace. Carefully, I reach up and tuck them behind her ear before trailing my fingers along her jaw and gently tip her head back to look up at me.
“Are you okay, Sunshine?” One of those tears finally escapes as she nods.
“Physically, yeah.” Her voice is quiet, and she closes her eyes as I wipe her cheek clean. On her next breath, she sags against me, and I fold her into an embrace. She rests her forehead on my chest and arms wrap around my waist as she mumbles, “Thank you.”
I lean down to kiss her forehead, and that’s when I notice the bandage. It’s small and explains why her hair is in two braids.When the EMTs checked her out before loading her up, they said it was most likely a minor scrape and a possible concussion. However, even knowing that doesn’t make me feel any better. She was still hurt because ofhim.
“That man… Is he who I think he is?” Her nod is small against my chest, and she turns her head slightly to rest her cheek above my heart as she answers.
“If you’re thinking that was my ex, then yes. It was Cam.”
Fuck, I should have hit him harder.
Not just for today, but for everything she’s told me about him. Confusion tugs at me as I remember her saying she hasn’t answered his texts or talked to him at all since leaving him.
“I didn’t think he knew where you were?” I question. She huffs a laugh.
“Neither did I.” Worry tightens in my chest. “I don’t know, maybe one of our accounts is still linked together or something.”
I nod, not that she can see me, but keep quiet. After a moment longer, she straightens. Resting a hand on my knee as she forces a smile at me.
“The nurse was just going to check my CT results and as long as that’s okay, I should be discharged in the next hour.” She glances behind me toward the door. “Are Greyson and Landon still here?”
“No, I told them to head out and that I would update them when I saw you.” She relaxes a bit more as she sits back on the bed. Smirking, she shoots me a sidelong glance.
“What are the chances you text my dad and convince him to not come here?”
“I’d say those chances are very slim.” We both jolt at the sound of her father. I turn to find Coach in the doorway and stand up quickly, shoving my hands in my pockets and clearing my throat.
“Coach.” I say with a nod in his direction.
