Page 54 of Unraveling Rain
I glance at him, biting my cheek to stay calm.
“I’m okay, I promise.” He gives me a sweet, lopsided smile.
“Hello?” I hear Dr. Gutierrez call from the entrance.
“Over here,” I shout.
He jogs in, a medical bag slung over his shoulder.
“What do we have here?” he asks, setting the bag on a nearby table.
“We were baking pies for St. John’s Day,” I say, voice cracking. “I asked Xander to melt the butter. I didn’t give him enough instructions, and he wasn’t wearing gloves when he took the glass cup out of the microwave, and—and—” I can’t get the rest out. My breathing’s too fast. I’m crying now, damn it.
“Okay, Rain. Come here,” Dr. Gutierrez says, helping me off the floor. “Please take a seat. I need to get you some water.”
I want to tell him I’m okay, but I can’t even open my mouth to speak.
He returns with a bottle, cracks the seal, and hands it to me. “That’s it. Just keep taking small sips and breathe.”
I do as he says. My pulse begins to settle.
“Let’s take a look at you, Xander,” the doctor says, kneeling beside him. He checks his legs, arms, and neck.
“Dr. Gutierrez, I’m fine. I told Rain, but she wouldn’t hear it,” Xander says. I hear a faint chuckle, though I can’t see who it belongs to.
This isn’t funny. Not to me. I’m freaking out.
“Alright, let’s get you up from this mess,” the doctor says. Xander rises with help.
“Please look to the left. Now to the right. Can you move your head?” he shines a light in each of Xander’s eyes, gently touching his neck and his collarbone.
Once he’s done, he stands and takes off his gloves.
He walks over to me
“I’m fine, Dr. Gutierrez,” I say with a huff.
“I know you’re fine physically, but I need to make sure you’re calming down.”
“Calmed down? I almost caused an injury to a professional athlete,” I snap, pacing. “Do you know how big of a deal Mr. Hotshot is to the Carolina Red Wolves?”
Xander chuckles, then coughs to cover it. I shoot him a death glare.
“Apparently he’s the golden boy of the franchise,” I add, spinning on the doctor. “And everyone—and I mean everyone—is waiting anxiously for his return to the ice.”
Dr. Gutierrez doesn’t stop smiling.
“Rain, I truly appreciate your concern for my patient, but I can assure you he’s okay. It was just a little slip that won’t cause any delay in his recovery.”
Hearing that helps. Seeing Xander standing helps even more.
“Okay. Yeah. Okay.” I let out a breath and nod as the doc starts packing up his medical bag.
“Xander, just take a warm shower. And maybe let the expert handle the baking?” Dr. Gutierrez’s voice holds a teasing edge.
“I think she’s definitely better without my help in the kitchen,” Xander says, grinning.
“My accident on the ice proves I’m a clumsy professional athlete.”
