Come on, Ryan. Get up. Get up, get up, get up. Get. Up. Please.
The more I stare at his motionless body on the replay, the more overwhelmed I become with this feeling. A feeling I’ve never felt before and can’t quite identify. And as we watch themedics and trainers race onto the field to assess him, the feeling gets worse.
It’s potent and all-consuming.
It’s worry and concern and fear.
So much fear.
It’s gut-wrenching and heart-breaking.
And… that’s it.
It’s love.
I love him.
I’m in love with Ryan Fletcher.
The one man I wasn’t even supposed to start dating, let alone go and do something stupid like fall in love with.
But that’s the last thing I’m concerned about because right now the man I love is hurt and not moving, and I feel helpless because I can’t do a single damn thing about it.
I stumble back a step with the realization as tears start to burn my eyes.
No. I can’t cry here. I cannot cry right now. I need to breathe. To pull it together.
I need to get to him.
But I can’t.
Not right now.
I’m supposed to beworking.
And no one’s allowed to know.
I look back out the window of the studio and see the medical team and all the players still circled around Ryan sprawled out on the field.
I feel the warmth of a body come up beside me, but I keep my face shielded from view. I know that if anyone were to look at me right now and see how I’m very clearly breaking down, they’dknow. It would be written so plainly across my face that I’m head over heels in love with this man and I’m completely terrified for him.
“We’re not airing the close-ups so we don’t have any more footage, but the cameras who have a clear enough angle say he’s still not moving.” My stomach drops and my heart stalls at Jamie’s words.
“That’s—” My voice catches in my throat. I clear it and try again. “That’s terrible.” God that’s such an understatement. I’m amazed I can even hold myself upright.
“Very.” He’s silent for a moment. “Which is why you need to go.”
“W-what?” I whirl around to face him and see the concern and sympathy softening his expression.
“Go, Isa. Be with him right now. You know you won’t be your best self when he’s down there…” He trails off, not wanting to finish the sentence. Which I’m glad for because I don’t even want to think about ways he could’ve.
“You—you know?” I whisper, looking around the room to make sure no one else is listening.
He offers a soft laugh. “Of course I know. Well, I’ve suspected for ages, and you just confirmed it. But that’s not a conversation for right now.Go, Isa.”
I offer him a curt nod before I grab my bag off the floor and race out of the studio, down to where the players’ medical room is. I fly down the stairs until I reach the first floor, flashing my all-areas access pass to every steward and security guard I pass without slowing. By the time I’m pushing through the double doors into the clubhouse, I can hear the commotion as a group enters from the field. I barely slow my pace until a hand reaches out and drags me behind a wall, out of sight.
I’m panting, lungs constricting from the exertion, as I stare up into the face of Cooper. He has both hands on my upper arms, simultaneously keeping me in place and holding me up. Fear, worry, concern, and love for Ryan shine in his eyes. Probablyjust as intense as my own. He gives me a watery attempt at a smile.
