Page 67 of Broken Hearts
“You saw the doctor and he cleared you to skate?”
She doesn’t respond right away, but the background noise dims. “Sorry. I moved somewhere quieter so I can hear you. I only have a minute. Olivia is up next. What’s up?”
“I was just calling to make sure you were okay.”
“Yeah, I’m actually not that nervous. It usually doesn’t hit me until right before I step on the ice. Then BAM!”
I flinch and squeeze my eyes shut. There it is again. The image of her slamming into the ice.Fuck.
“How’s the heart? Doctor said it’d be fine, yeah?”
“Yeah, he cleared me. I’m good.”
“You’re sure?”
She laughs. “As sure as I can be, I guess.”
That is not inspiring.
“Oh, they just called Olivia. I have to go. I’ll call you later,” her cheery voice chirps in my ear. I should feel better. She’s fine. The doctor cleared her. He wouldn’t do that if something could happen, right?
“Okay. Stay safe.” Yeah, like that isn’t an awkward send-off.
I hang up and stare at the wall. “Stay safe?”
Real smooth.
* * *
The bus leaves Sunday afternoon.I talked to Sienna long enough last night to hear about her day, but she was tired and I still hadn’t figured out what to say about the incident which shall never be watched again. Even still, it’s replaying in my mind every time I think I’m past it.
Uneasy and restless, I oversleep, and then in a rush to get out the door, forget my Nintendo Switch for the ride. I can’t even distract myself with video games while I worry about Sienna skating. She’s taking the ice any time now.
I’m agitated and don’t feel like making small talk. Silent and broody is the general mood on the bus, though, so I fit right in. Regionals is four teams, single elimination. Today we play Icarus State and then, hockey gods willing, the winner of Troy and Stonewell.
Heath is in the seat next to me. “Are you going to bounce your leg like that the whole ride?”
I still. “Sorry, man.”
“It’s cool. Everything all right?”
I stare down at the phone in my hand. “Waiting to hear how Sienna’s final skate went today.”
“I have cards. Wanna play?”
“Definitely.” I’m still kicking myself for not asking more questions about her heart condition. She’s waved it off like it was no big deal, but I should have known. A doctor has to clear her for every competition—that should have been a major red flag. Not to mention all the small ones along the way—checking her heart rate, Elias calling to check in on her every day.
The bus stops at the hotel where we check in and drop our overnight bags.
“Home sweet home,” Adam says, tossing his duffel on the floor.
The adjoining door between our room and Heath and Mav’s opens.
“Hey, neighbors,” Mav says.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and it’s the first time in as long as I can remember, that I rush to answer it.Sienna.“Oh, thank fuck,” I say before I accept the call. “Hey, angel.”
“I’ll go…” Adam tips his head toward the other room.
