Page 53 of Sin Bins and Second Chances
I continuously look her over and wonder if there was something I could’ve done to prevent this. If I wasn’t playing, maybe she wouldn’t have been out. Maybe if I convince her to come to all of the away games, I can always have her with me. I can always protect her.
It’s unrealistic, I know this. It’s all I can do to not blame myself for this. As if I could’ve prevented it.
“I love you, Daisy. I’ll be right here. Rest and come back to me.” The words feel small. They say when someone is injured like this, they can hear those around them. If that’s the case, I need her to know how much she means to me. To never forget it. “I asked your grandfather for permission to marry you.” I chuckle softly. “Well, honestly I didn’t even get to finish asking and he was welcoming me to the family. It’s not the same as asking your dad, but it feels right. Now, I just need you to come back to me so we can startour lives together.”
I lose track of time, unable to sleep, unable to do anything but focus on Daisy and my hand on hers. All I can do is repeatedly tell her how much I love her. And when she wakes up—when she wakes up—I’ll make sure she knows just how much she means to me. If I have to find new ways to prove it every day, I will.
Chapter Twenty-Five
DAISY
There are whispers around me as I wake up. My throat doesn’t feel nearly as bad.
“Water,” I speak quietly and the straw is immediately at my lips. I smile as I take a sip and look at Ethan.
“My sweet girl.” I look over to see my mom at the foot of the bed. She walks closer. “The doctor says you should be able to come home tomorrow. They want to monitor you one more night, now that you’re awake.” She smiles. “When we get home, I’ll tell you all about the trip. It was the time of my life. I can’t wait to go back and for you to see it all, too.”
There was something she wasn’t telling me. “We’re going to be here for a while, mom. Spit it out.”
“What?” She had a terrible poker face.
“It doesn’t matter right now.” She attempts to brush it off.
“Mom.”
“You need to focus on rest.”
“I need my mother to be honest with me.”
Ethan stands and places a kiss on my forehead. “I’m going to give you two some privacy. I’ll be right back.”
My mom watches him leave the room. “That boy loves you. Never stopped.”
“I know. I love him too. I never stopped. Now, tell me what’s going on.”
She sighs. “I met someone.”
“Really?”
“He’s from Ireland.”
“That explains the extended trip, then the additional extension.”
“I can’t wait for you to meet him. First, let’s get you better.”
I’m one hundred percent certain my mom was still keeping part of the story from me. I’d let herkeep her secrets for now. It wouldn’t be much longer until I was home, and she had no choice but to tell me everything. Within reason, there are some things I definitelydid notwant to hear from my mother.
Chapter Twenty-Six
DAISY
Ieye the red-haired man sitting across from me. His blue eyes appear soft and kind. Clearly, my mom has a type. Physically, he sort of looks like most of the Miles family sitting around this table.
“What was it you said you did?” I take a sip of my lemonade.
Everyone has been waiting and watching in silence as I ask this guy question after question. I’m not sure what my mom was thinking, bringing him to family supper. Although, my grandparents invited him. Still, it’s weird. This is my dad’sfamily. Having another man here—with my mom— it’s fucking weird.
“I own and run a dairy farm.” He smiles.
