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“Your kicker is pretty.”
“That she is. Would you like me to sign your cast?”
“No way! Mom, did you hear that?” His mother came up to us with paperwork in one hand and her daughter’s hand in her other.
“I did. That is very kind of you. He’s a big fan.”
Getting a marker from the desk, I scribbled my name on it, followed by my number. “There you go.”
The door opened, and Charlie hobbled out of the doctor’s office in a walking boot and crutches. She looked at us and smiled.
Anthony sucked in a breath. “It’s you.”
“Hi,” she said to him before looking at me.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.” I knew she wanted to say more, but instead she brought her attention to Anthony. “Your cast is so cool. I just got this ugly boot.”
“You’re Charlie Nicholson. I saw the game. Sorry you got hurt, but that was a great pass.”
“Anthony here is a kicker,” I offered with a wink.
The young boy held his arm out toward Charlie. “Would you sign my cast?”
She did as he asked, we all took a picture together, and then he and his sister were ushered out of the office by their mother. Turning to Charlie, I finally asked, “How bad is it?”
“Tore a ligament and have a grade-1 sprain.” She paused, and the corners of her lips turned down. “I’m done for the season.” I wrapped her in a hug. “I need to go meet with Reese. Will you drive me?”
“Of course. Do you need to call her?”
“No, I texted her while I waited for the nurse to come back with my boot. I feel so bad about all of this.”
“None of it is your fault. Things like this happen. Trent had a career-ending injury.”
She nodded. “My contract expires at the end of this season.”
“I know.”
“I’ll see what Reese has to say and go from there.”
“Sounds good.”
On the way to Reese’s office, Charlie explained what protocols she needed to follow, and I asked what I could do to help. Naturally, she said nothing, but we both knew that wouldn’t be the case. She couldn’t put on a lot of pressure or mobilize her foot, hence the boot, and she would still need to ice it. The gray winter sky mimicked the feeling in my car. I hated that she was in pain, and more than that, I hated that she was sad.
After turning into the lot and parking the car, I opened Charlie’s door for her, got her crutches out of the back seat, and helped her into the building.
Reese, Trent, and Coach Tisdale were all in Reese’s office when we arrived. “I can wait outside,” I offered, not wanting to infringe on anything.
“You don’t need to, Collin. I’d like you to stay.”
Charlie’s sad eyes had me doing just that. We all took a seat at the table. Reese had received a report from the doctor and knew the outcome of the X-rays and that she would be out for the rest of the season.
“We’d like you to stay on, Charlie, but we also know this was temporary for you.” Reese’s gaze flicked in my direction. “Unless it no longer is.”
“I… um—”
“Take time and think about it. The team will always be here for you, Charlie. And you’re more than welcome to come to all of the games with us if you feel up to it. If it weren’t for your quick thinking, we might not have won that game.”
