Page 53 of Game Winner
For the past eight weeks, instead of contributing and helping the team, my schedule has consisted of regular checkups and X-rays to monitor healing. Now that the bone has healed, the next step is rebuilding my muscle strength. But the doctor put the breaks on that.
Leaning forward, Bax reaches between the seats and rests his hand on my arm. He’s been staying over nearly every night since his fight with Layne. “I don’t understand. You’ve been doing range of motion and strengthening exercises for the past two weeks, but he won’t give you more of that to do?”
“I didn’t have full, pain-free range of motion, so he won’t clear me to resume hockey-specific drills. And he limited the amount of weight I can lift. I’m allowed to skate and use the bike, but that’s it.”
His fingers trace small circles on my skin. “Do you think you pushed a little too hard the past two weeks?”
“No?” A shard of worry lodges in my chest. “They say moving is important so things don’t get stiff. I hope I’m not causing a setback. I swear I’m being careful.”
Soren squeezes my hand. “He’ll reassess in two weeks?”
“He initially said four, but I wasn’t waiting that long.” I try to keep my tone light, but anxiety thins it. The doctor’s job is to get me healed, and I trust him. If his thinking of four more weeks is what I end up needing, the margin for me to return in time to play is so slim it’s almost none.
Soren huffs a laugh. “I’d be the same way.”
I think again about how the doctor said most fractures heal in six to twelve weeks, but I could be dealing with some symptoms like decreased strength, swelling, or stiffness for months. That’s the last thing I want.
To distract myself from thinking about that, I move to the next big thing on my mind. “I guess I could use the next two weeks to start looking for an apartment.”
Soren slows the car to a stop as the light turns red. “Why?”
“Gio and Phil said I could stay through the season. That isn’t much longer.” I don’t want to go, but I can’t imagine they want me living in the guest room forever. Where would the actual guests stay?
Soren’s brows knit together. “Tyler. You don’t have to go.”
“I don’t think that’s up to you,” I say the words as gently as I can. The house isn’t his. Only Gio and Phil can make that decision. “It’s okay. They gave me breathing room to get settled. But I’ve been here for over four months. Almost five.”
Memories of my housemates over the past eight weeks, and how they’ve bolstered my spirits fly into the forefront of my mind.
Gio and Phil sitting with me, watching movies, and driving me to my doctor appointments whenever Soren or Bax couldn’t.
Remy asking me to hang out with Benny, insisting that the bearded dragon was lonely and needed company, and making me cookies that had everything from chocolate chips and coconut flakes to sliced almonds and raisins in them.
Sage making me a “feel better” playlist of my favorite music artists and gifting me more of his fidget spinners. He and Remy sitting with me at the piano, teaching me scales and simple songs using only my right hand while they sat beside me and enhanced the melody by playing the deeper keys.
Morgan giving me a tablet loaded with tons of games that I could play one-handed.
Soren doling out back rubs and blowjobs, and getting me the one-handed controller so I could still play our favorite game with him and Bax.
They’ve all done so much. I’ve never experienced such a sense of belonging as I have with this group of guys.
When we arrive at the house, everyone is home. Laughter and multiple voices ring out from the kitchen. I need a minute before I can put on a believable smile, so I head up to my room to change clothes. Doing things overhead is still painful, but I manage to get my shirt off and tossed into the laundry hamper. Pulling a fresh henley over my head and getting my left arm into it is a little harder. Wincing, I manage to get it on and smoothed into place.
Maybe the doctor was right about me not being ready yet.
Sitting on the end of the bed, I glance around the room that’s been my home for the past few months. I’m not sure why it’s hitting me now that soon, everything will change again. Anothernew place to live, and who knows what’s going on with hockey? What if twelve weeks isn’t enough? What if I’m one of those people who have symptoms for months and it affects preparing for next season?
The sound of footsteps echoes from the hall. Bax knocks on my open door. “Thought I’d check on you.”
Standing, I gesture for him to come in. “I just needed a minute.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get the clearance you wanted.” Hands tucked in his front pockets, he strolls toward the bed.
I cup his cheek in my hand. “And I’m sorry the thing with Layne is still making you sad.” It’s making me sad too. What if Layne really doesn’t like me? I don’t want to come between him and Bax.
He slides his arms around me, gently pulling me into his embrace. We rest our foreheads together and breathe. Soaking up the quiet and seeking strength from each other.
More footsteps tread down the hall. Soren comes in. “You okay?”
