Page 29 of Enemy Games

She stared at me for a moment before nodding once and shutting the door. She took careful steps across the sidewalk before entering the lobby. Once she was safely inside and not at risk of another winter weather injury, I pulled around to the lot and parked.

On my way in, I texted the guys, letting them know what happened, then sent another text to Coach Hiller, letting him know where I was in case he needed his truck soon.

Presley was sitting in an empty row, struggling with a pen and clipboard. Her right wrist was injured and, judging by the way she was trying to hold the pen, that was her dominant hand.

“Need an assist?”

She glanced up. “Yes, please.”

I took the clipboard and pen and sat next to her as I read over the form. It was all basic information. Unfortunately, I didn’t know anything beyond her first name.

I wrote that, then hesitated over the spot for her last name.

“Stone,” she supplied without me having to ask. “My birthday is May twenty-second.”

“Do you want to use the house address or your home address?” I never knew what to put on a form like this. Sure, I resided on campus, but did they need a more permanent address?

“I’ll put the house.” She recited it from memory before we moved on.

“Do you have a primary doctor or the university clinic?” I asked as we moved on.

“Well, she won’t be able to do much from her office, so I guess list the university clinic.” She hesitated. “Should I list Matthew, specifically?”

This was why we needed adults. Sure, we were over eighteen, but we didn’t know the answers to these forms.

“I’ll make a note to talk to him directly.”

I asked her all of the basic health questions before finding her insurance card in her wallet and taking everything up to the check-in counter.

“Thanks. A doctor will be with you as soon as possible.” The rushed receptionist didn’t even bother looking up at me.

That could mean anything. Minutes to hours. I turned to head back, but stopped. Was I really the right person to be here with her? Would she rather have one of her teammates or friends? She was already in pain and uncomfortable without me hovering around.

But the thought of leaving her alone, even to drive back to campus to pick someone up to bring back, felt wrong.

I didn’t normally care this much. If she were anyone else, would I stay?

It had to be because she was a fellow player. We were bonded through that. We might not play on the same team, but we were a part of the same program. I would be here for any of my guys. I guess I grouped her in that as well.

I would stay as long as she needed me. Maybe once Matthew got here, I could leave without feeling guilty. By then, I would have paid my dues. It wasn’t like I owed her anything else.

Chapter 9

Presley

Be tough. Be tough.

I refused to show weakness in front of Shaw. I wouldn't give him any reason to think I was weak or less-than because I was a woman. I could handle this pain.

It was bad, but I’d survived much worse.

Initially, I thought it was a break, but by the time we got here, I was more certain it was a minor injury. At least, that was what I was hoping for.

I saw my career at West Penn and my Olympic chances go flying away as I fell toward the pavement. Catching myself? With my hand of all things? I knew better. I should have been more careful. I should have been paying attention, but I couldn’t change things now.

“Miss Stone?” A nurse called my name, and took me through the initial exam process before guiding me to get an X-ray.

I got some medicine as I waited for my turn, and by the time I got back to the small room, I was feeling a lot better.