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Staring out onto the field, I debate how to answer her. “I wish I could tell you, Chloe. I will when I can, but I can’t just yet.” I wipe away the tears that start to escape. Damnit. I hate being a crier.
“Cryptic much?”
Looking back out to the field, I notice the sky is a perfect blue with white fluffy clouds, and the sun tucked brightly above us. I hear the band playing in the distance and the crowd cheering for the prep. My world just took a turn on the crazy train, but everyone else is having a perfect day. It’s the strangest sensation. I’m standing still as everyone else moves around me.
Then the next ten seconds of my life happen in slow motion.
I watch the guys leave the huddle, and Brady calls out the play.
Landon snaps the ball to Brady, who drops back into the pocket for a pass.
The team scatters, everyone going to their positions on the field—everyone except Darby. If I didn’t know football the way I do, I might not have noticed, but Darby just stepped aside. He moved out of the way.
He’s left Brady’s blindside completely open, and Brady doesn’t see it.
He doesn’t see it coming—his focus is on Cooper at the other end of the field.
He doesn’t see the giant of a defensive end coming his way as he throws a beautiful spiral down the field.
“Brady!” His name is ripped from my lungs.
The defensive end barrels down on him.
Brady’s head snaps back from the momentum of the hit as he crumbles to the ground under the weight of the giant.
“Brady!” Chloe and I are both screaming.
Cooper catches the ball and runs it in for a touchdown, not having seen what just happened.
The defensive end has stood up, but Brady hasn’t moved.
There is an official standing by his prone body.
The whistle is blowing, and coaches are running onto the field.
My view of him is quickly blocked when the rest of the players realize something is happening with their quarterback.
Their captain.
They all run down the field, forming a circle around Brady.
Looking over to where Darby is standing, it appears he is looking directly at me. He takes his helmet off and I swear he is smiling.
After a few excruciatingly long minutes, the ambulance pulls up to the fence. The medics place a stabilizing brace around his neck and strap Brady to a wooden backboard before they place him on the gurney.
Chloe and I are standing there in shock just as someone grabs my shoulder. I whirl on them with a scream on my lips when I see Annabelle and Tommy. Tommy looks as shaken as I feel. I had completely forgotten they were even coming to today’s game.
“Come on,” Annabelle says. “Do you know which hospital they are taking him to?”
Shaking my head no, I sprint toward the ambulance. They are already closing the doors, but Coach Maxwell sees me coming. “Sinclair, take a breath. They are taking him to Kroydon Hills hospital. There is no reason to think this is anything more than a concussion, but they’ve got to check him out. I will be there as soon as the game ends. My assistant, McNamara, is going to follow the ambulance there. You let him know if Chloe needs anything. Are their parents in town this weekend?”
“No, coach. They’re in London.”
“Okay. Make sure you calm down before you drive, young lady. Brady Ryan is made of strong stuff. He’s going to be fine. I’ll see you in a few hours.” Turning around, he runs back to the team.
Chloe, Annabelle, and Tommy catch up to me, and I fill them in. Annabelle offers to drive us to the hospital since neither of us is okay to drive.
Once we get into the cold, sterile waiting room, I am even more grateful for Annabelle and Coach McNamara. They take control, talking to a nurse and relaying what little information they can get to Chloe and me.
