I shove at him when he plasters his wide goofy smile on his face. “Oh, shut the fuck up. I was worried about you!”
His expression sobers, but only slightly, a small smile still present. “I know, baby. But I’m okay. I just need to get some rest and sit the next few games out until I’m cleared from the concussion.” He kisses my forehead again. “You can come home with me and make sure I wake up every hour, doctor’s orders.” He winks at me, and I can’t help but laugh at this point. “There she is.” He smiles tenderly. I roll my eyes at him, but he just pulls me closer into his chest so he’s holding me tight. We’re silent for several moments before either of us speaks again. “You must have been really worried if you let me call you baby three times without telling me off for it.”
“Maybe it’s growing on me,” I grumble. Because he’s right. I heard him say it, but I didn’t care in the moment. And honestly?I think I do kind of like it. I never thought a pet name likebabeorbabywould fit me because I’m too prickly, but with him it… fits.
“Um, baby?”
“Hm?” I hum in question, not even bothering to correct him at this point.
“Either you brought a really fun toy with to come check on me or your phone is going off,” Ryan jokes. It’s at that moment my brain registers the fact that, yes, my phone is vibrating. Incessantly.
I wiggle an arm free of his grip to retrieve it from my pocket and see a flood of messages from Liz and Jordan.
Jordan
OH MY GOD
Liz
We saw the whole thing here too
Jackson is beside himself
Jordan
ISA
Liz
That was a nasty hit
He’s not moving
Oh my god
Jordan
ISA
PLEASE
IS HE OKAY?
THEY CUT TO COMMERCIAL
TELL US HE’S OKAY?
ISA
ANSWER ME
Liz
Isa
Answer us please!
I look over at Ryan to get his approval before I say anything. I trust my friends completely, but it’s not my business to share anything without his permission, or the team releasing a statement. He gives me a kiss on the forehead and a nod of approval.
