Page 21 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

I see a man who has absolutely no idea how to let someone take care of him.

Chapter three

Jamie

The Hardest Patient

Morning arrives in pieces.

First the steady beep somewhere to my left.

Then the dull ache buried beneath my collarbone.

Then the sharper reminder every time I breathe too deeply.

My eyes stay closed for another few seconds. Maybe if I don't move...my body will forget it lost yesterday's argument.

No such luck. Pain has a remarkable memory.

I slowly open one eye. The hospital room is quiet. Sunlight filters through the partially opened blinds, turning the pale walls almost golden.

For a moment I have no idea where I am. Then I notice the sling. The IV. The monitor.

Right. Away game.

Collision.

Surgery.

Wonderful.

Carefully, I reach for the bedside table with my good hand. My phone sits exactly where someone left it. Most likely Annette.

Funny, I've known her for less than twenty-four hours and I'm already assuming competence.

The screen lights up.

One hundred forty-three unread messages.

Reporters.

Sponsors.

League officials.

Three television producers.

My publicist.

I swipe past every one of them.

Coach.

Colby.

Caleb.

Liam.