“Crutches?”
She nods. “You’ll have a brace and for the first week we want you to stay off it except when in PT.”
I look at my mom. “Is Harper here?”
She nods and glances nervously at my dad.
“Any more questions for me?” The doctor probably had to come in for this. I doubt she normally works on a Friday night. But my father knows how to pull strings. My future is important to him. He wants to be able to tell everyone his son is in the NFL.
“No, Lisa. Thank you.” My father runs a hand through his hair. “I think you’ve done everything you can do tonight.”
My leg is in a brace. Crutches sit near the bed I’m on. There’s not more that I can do. I’m out for the season. No more football. My record will have to stand on its own. Inside I’m a roiling mess of anger and disappointment, but what’s done is done.
“Ice and elevation. Take it easy.” The doctor gives me a look and touches my good leg. “If you don’t, you might complicate the tears. Bright and early Monday morning. The nurse will drop off your instructions. We’ll get you back on the field, Nico.”
I nod and narrow my eyes at my mom. “Bring Harper in.”
“Thank you, Dr. Williams.” My mom shakes her hand before going out of the room to get Harper.
Dr. Williams follows her out with a final smile, leaving me alone with my dad.
“This is the girlfriend your mom has been talking about?” He moves in front of the door and gives me a don’t-fuck-with-me stare.
“Harper Davidson is my girlfriend.” Give only the information he asks for. I’ve known that my whole life.
He settles in the chair and watches me. “Her father has something we want back.”
“We?” I wait and when he doesn’t answer, I add, “Her father has been gone a long time.”
“He took something. We have reason to believe it’s still in the possession of the mother and the girl.” His voice is so cold, like neither of them matter.
“Harper. Her name is Harper.” I meet his glare with one of my own. She matters to me.
His eyes narrow on me. “She’ll be around the house, since you’ll be confined to it for a while. I’ll just ask her myself.”
“No.” Fuck, no. Harper’s always been scared of my dad. He’s a scary dude.
“Then see what you can find out.” He stands and looks disdainfully at my leg. “Otherwise, your recovery will be the least of our worries.”
He opens the door and Harper stands there with my mother. Harper backs up a step with her eyes wide.
“The doctor said we can leave when we want.” Mom looks between me and Dad. She probably means for us to go home. Fuck that.
“You two should go out and finish your date.” I meet my dad’s eyes. “Harper can make sure I get home safe.”
My father nods in acknowledgement, thinking he has me. That I’m just as willing to use my girlfriend for information as he is. He can think that all he wants.
“That sounds good.” Dad takes Mom’s arm as she looks like she wants to protest. “There’s nothing he can do but rest and ice anyway, Sarah. We can still make our show.”
Mom looks torn but then nods and comes over to me. She presses her lips against my forehead. “Remember what the doctor said.”
It’s all I’ll be thinking about this weekend. “Have a good night out.”
They head out and the door shuts behind them. Harper comes over and takes my hand.
“What’s the verdict?”
I pull her closer, and she sits on the edge of the bed. “Surgery Monday. Out for the season, but I should be able to play next year, if I can get on a team.”
