Just Say Yes

by Samantha Lind

  Scott stirs, moaning about the pain.

  “Honey, I’m here. Can I get you anything?” I ask him quietly as I push up so I can look at his face, then lean down to kiss him.

  “Hey, can you get me my pain meds and water? I also need to get up and go to the bathroom.”

  “Sure can, do you want help getting up?”

  “Probably, but I need my meds first.” He pulls me closer so he can kiss me again. “Thanks for getting here so quickly,” he whispers against my lips.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t already here. It killed me to be so far away from you last night,” I tell him as I get up to grab water and his meds. Once he has taken them and is ready, I grab his crutches and help him up and to the bathroom.

  “Can you help me out to the living room, babe? I’d like to see Murph,” he asks.

  “Of course, I can,” I reply, as I slip my arm around his waist to hold him steady.

  I get Scott all set up on the couch and head into the kitchen to make us breakfast. We still have a couple of hours before his appointment. I hope they can get him in for surgery in the next day or so; that way he can begin his road to recovery. Knowing Scott’s work ethic, it’s going to kill him to be out for so many weeks.

  After breakfast, Murph stays until it’s time to leave for Scott’s appointment and helps me get him loaded into his truck.

  “Now, you text or call if you need anything, Becca. I’ll be back later after I pick up Linda.”

  He insisted that he could pick her up, even if we were already home, saying it was one less thing that I have to worry about. He’s such a great friend to Scott and is starting to feel like a brother to me.

  Our appointment goes well. The doctors in Minneapolis forwarded the x-rays so the team doctors had the chance to look them over and make a plan before we arrived. They want to move fast and get him into surgery this afternoon. We sign the paperwork approving surgery and head for the hospital, so they can prep him for the OR. The doctors anticipate he’ll need to stay in the hospital for a couple of nights, so once they take him back to the OR, I run home to pick up a few things he’ll need after surgery.

  After returning to the hospital, I take the time to send everyone an update while I wait for Scott to be out of surgery.

  Becca: Hey! Scott update. We met with the doctors and they wanted to move forward with surgery ASAP. He’s in the OR right now. He’ll spend a couple of nights in the hospital. Will update more once I have more info.

  I send the same text to Kinley, my parents, Scott’s parents, and our siblings. I also send Murph a quick text, asking him to bring Linda to the hospital once she arrives.

  After a few hours, I greet Linda and Murph as they walk into the waiting room.

  “Hey. The surgeon still hasn’t come out to talk to me. I checked, and they haven’t assigned him a room yet either. Hopefully, we’ll hear something soon,” I explain.

  Another hour or so goes by, as the three of us make random small talk. Finally, when I’m reaching my breaking point, the doctor comes through the doors.

  “Scott’s surgery went well. We were able to get everything cleaned out and his leg set. He will be kept in the hospital for at least one night, possibly more, if he’s having issues keeping his pain under control. Once he’s released, he absolutely cannot put weight on it for the first few weeks. Gradually he will be able to put weight on the leg and we expect him to heal to full weight-bearing. Any questions for me?”

  “Will he make a full recovery and be able to get back on the ice?” Linda asks the doctor.

  “We expect him to make a full recovery. It was a clean break, and we were able to get it set very nicely. He will need physical therapy once he’s out of the cast and able to put full weight on the leg. But after that, he should be back on the ice. Now, if you don’t have any more questions for me, Scott will be moved to room 564, once he’s out of recovery. I’ll be back in the morning to check on him.”

  After thanking the doctor, Linda, Murph, and I collect our things and make our way to Scott’s room to wait on him.

  Scott is brought in, still a little groggy from the anesthesia, but awake enough to talk with us. The doctors must have updated the training and coaching staff because shortly after arriving at his room, his coach and the team’s head trainer stop to check in on him.

  Seeing the interaction between Scott and those associated with the team is refreshing. You can see the love and appreciation they have for one another. As much as NHL teams are a business, you can also tell that they are a family. I have received texts from most of the other WAGs today, offering their support and love. Meals, sending a cleaning service, offers for girl time with wine; you name it, they’ve offered. I’m so grateful for everything but am still a little overwhelmed at this point. I know after getting Scott home and settled into a routine, having this support group will be my sanity. Not having Kinley here is going to suck, but I’m so thankful to have friendships building with the other WAGs.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Scott

  I spent two nights in the hospital following my surgery. My team plays tonight, and it’s still a little surreal to me that I won’t be on the ice with them. Normally guys that are injured still report to the stadium and sit in the press box during the game, but the doctors want me to stay at home as much as I can over the next week or so, resting and recuperating. This is the first time I’ll have to watch my own team playing on TV.

  Having Becca and my mom here has been more than I could have asked for. Becca, being the consummate nurse, has been waiting on me hand and foot since she arrived, and I couldn’t ask for a better woman by my side. Knowing she has my mom here to help her comforts me and allows me to relax and focus on healing. I know my mom won’t let Becca overdo things and will encourage her to take time for herself.

  “Hey, how are you feeling?” Becca asks me as she enters our bedroom where I have been resting all afternoon.

  “Okay, no pain right now,” I tell her as I pull her down next to me on the bed and burying my face in her neck, placing a kiss just below her ear. Just having Becca in my arms, breathing her in, centers me. I’ve had a shitty week – and I know the weeks ahead of me are going to be rough – but because of her, I know I’ll get through it.

  “That’s a good sign. Are you going to want to watch the game in here or out in the living room?”

  “The living room. I need a change of scenery. Plus, I’m getting a little hungry.”

  “What would you like to eat? Do you want me to make you something, or order in?”

  “I don’t think there is much food in the house, so you might need to order in.”

  “Your mom and I went through the kitchen and made a shopping list, and she’s out right now getting groceries. So, if you want something right away, I can make you a snack until she returns and we can figure out dinner.”

  Becca helps me up so I can move to the living room. She gets me settled on the couch and makes me a sandwich to tide me over until dinnertime. We snuggle as much as we can while watching sports recaps before the game comes on. I sent a text to Murph and Brian earlier, telling them to kick ass tonight. Not being with my team is throwing me for a loop; I hope the next few weeks doesn’t suck as much as this does. Thankfully, I’ve never been seriously hurt in all my time of playing professional hockey. I’ve had to sit out a game here and there, but nothing major. This is definitely going to take some getting used to.

  My mom returns from the store, and she and Becca get everything put away and make dinner. They join me in the living room to eat and watch the game. The guys start out strong, but unfortunately, the Capitals score first, mid-way through the first period. One of their guys managed to get a one-timer past Soaps, with a wrister I’m sure he wishes he had been able to grab. The guys fight hard until the last seconds of the game, but the Caps keep us from scoring and take home the win. The look of defeat on my teammates' faces hits me hard in the gut. The next few months are going to be torture,
watching them play without me.

  The last few weeks have been slow and tediously boring. Not being allowed to put any weight on my leg has left me with little to do. I move from the bedroom to the living room and back. I’ve left the house one time since coming home from the hospital, and that was to see the doctor a few days ago. To say I’m going a little stir-crazy is an understatement. I’m so ready to get this damn cast off and be able to walk again. Becca has been doing her best to keep my spirits up, and has done so well not getting upset with me even when I know my mood shitty. I know it isn’t her fault, but fuck, I’m not used to being this useless.

  “Fuck!” I shout after losing my balance and falling back onto the bed. I hate that I’m so dependent on Becca to accomplish even the easiest shit.

  “What’s wrong babe?” Becca calls from the living room.

  Frustrated, I yell back at her “Don’t worry about it, I’m just trying to get up to go to the bathroom.”

  Becca walks into our room, just as I finally get up and balance myself on my crutches.

  “You know all you have to do is ask and I’ll help you.” She scolds.

  “And sometimes I just fucking want to do something myself.” I sneer back. “I don’t always need someone holding my hand just to get up and go pee.”

  Fuck, as soon as the words are out of my mouth I regret them. I can see the hurt in Becca’s eyes as each word hits her like a bullet to the heart.

  Sucking in a shaky breath she replies, “I’m just trying to be there for you. I know this is a stressful time, but please don’t be an asshole.”

  Before I can respond, Becca turns on her heels and walks out of our bedroom leaving me just standing there where she found me.

  Fuck, fuck, fuck! I didn’t mean to lash out at her like that. I need to clear my head and figure out a way to apologize to her.

  After I hobble my way to the bathroom and then out to the living room, I find Becca curled up on the couch with a blanket and her kindle. I sit down on the couch next to her feet, pulling them into my lap.

  “I’m sorry baby. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. I’m just frustrated that I can hardly do anything for myself and that I’m so dependent on you.” I say looking at her. Its then I notice the stray tears caught in her lashes and the one sliding down her cheek.

  “Fuck, I’m sorry I made you cry, Bec.” I tell her as I reach out to wipe the tear away.

  “I know you’re stressed,” she says with a shaky breath. “And I know it’s hard to go from being completely independent to being completely dependent on someone else. But please just talk to me when you’re feeling overwhelmed. I don’t mind stepping back and letting you try to do more on your own. I just don’t want you to hurt yourself trying to do something when I can help you.”

  I grab her hand and lace our fingers together, bringing our clasped hands to my lips so I can kiss hers.

  “Can you forgive me for lashing out at you? I promise I’ll try my absolute hardest not do it again. You don’t deserve to be treated like that. I will do a better job at communicating with you when I need space to try and do something myself.”

  “That’s all I ask. Communicate with me, I’m not a mind reader.” She says squeezing my hand. “And yes, you’re forgiven.”

  I tug on her arm, doing my best to pull her towards me. She helps, shifting so she’s closer to me. I cup her cheek, pulling her gaze to mine. “I love you, and I’m sorry.” I whisper as I place a kiss to each of her cheeks, and then seal my lips to hers.

  I wait to deepen the kiss until I feel her relax and melt into me. Once she does, I kiss her like I have wanted to for the past few weeks. I haven’t been the most loving guy since I got injured, and I realize how much I’ve missed the connection with Becca. It also makes me realize that I have been hurting her without meaning to. I make a promise to myself to change that right now. I don’t ever want to do anything to hurt her, and I will do everything in my power to make up for the way I have been treating her since getting injured.

  My mom returns home tomorrow. Having her here has been good for Becca and me. I know she worries about me – it’s just part of being a mom – but I truly am thankful that she dropped everything to come down and help get us through these first few weeks of my injury.

  Since I’m suffering from cabin fever and desperate to get out of the condo, we’re taking my mom to dinner for her last night in town. We head to the Chinese restaurant that has quickly become Becca’s favorite and my mood has brightened almost immediately just at being out of the house. After we return home from dinner, we spend a little time with my mom before she calls it a night as she has an early morning flight. Becca heads in to take a shower, leaving my mom and I alone to talk.

  “Thank you again, Mom, for coming down to help. I know I haven’t been the best company, but I still appreciate you being here.”

  My mom shakes her head, giving me that ‘mom look’. “You know there isn’t any place I would rather be, and you know I would drop anything and everything to help you or Nate. It’s my job as your mom to be here when you need me. Even now, when you think you’re all grown up and don’t need your mom anymore.”

  I chuckle at her. God, I love this woman. “You really know how to put me in my place, even at thirty years old.”

  “And don’t you ever forget that. I don’t care how old you are. I will always be your mother and I will always be here to kick you in the ass when you need it, and be here to help you up when you fall.”

  “I love you, Mom,” I tell her, hugging her. I really did hit the jackpot when it comes to parents.

  “I love you too, son. Now, quit licking your wounds and stop moping around. You’re going to make a full recovery and will be back on the ice before you know it. And you’d better treat that woman as the angel she is. She dropped everything to come live with you, so you can continue to live out your dream. Don’t ever forget the sacrifices she’s making to be with you. I’ve watched her closely since I’ve been here. The stuff she’s doing in the background to make sure everything is going smoothly for you, you need you make sure you thank her profusely every day for it. “

  I sigh, giving myself a few seconds to respond to my mom. “I know, Mom. I know I’m the luckiest man alive to have Becca in my life, and I don’t plan on screwing that up anytime soon. I kind of snapped at her today while you were gone.”

  “Scott!” my mom scolds me.

  “I know, I know. I felt like shit as soon as it happened, and I apologized and we had a nice little chat about me needing to communicate better. Don’t worry mom, I will not let it happen again. It made me realize how much I could have hurt her and have been unintentionally hurting her by not communicating with her.”

  “I’m not happy to hear that it happened, but I’m glad that you guys made up and talked it out. It’s a stressful time for everyone and you need to keep that in mind.”

  Yes, I know. It would kill me to lose her again, so I can promise you that I will not make that mistake twice. I’m putting together plans to propose to her on New Year’s Eve when everyone is here.”

  “Oh, Scott! I’m so happy for you!”

  “Thanks, Mom. Becca makes me happy. I feel whole with her back in my life, and I don’t see the need to wait any longer. With our history and how we’ve fit back into each other’s lives, it feels right.”

  With tears falling down her cheeks, she pulls me into a hug. “I’m so proud of you, son, and can’t wait to have Becca as an official part of our family.”

  We break our embrace and change the subject. I can hear Becca in our room and I don’t want to risk her overhearing anything about the proposal.

  “Feel better?” Mom asks Becca as she joins us in the living room.

  “Yes! And now I’m ready for bed. The hot water made me sleepy,” she yawns.

  “I think I’m going to call it a night myself. That early wake-up time is going to be here before we know it, and I need to finish packing,” Mom tells us.
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  “Good night, Mom. Thanks again for everything.” I give her another hug and kiss on the cheek. I plan to be up to see her off in the morning, even if I can’t take her to the airport myself.

  My mom retreats to the guest room and I pull Becca closer to me. Her skin is still warm from her shower and she smells so good. My dick hardens simply from pulling her into me and breathing her in. Sex isn’t in the cards yet with this huge cast in the way, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to connect with her, physically.

  “Ready for bed, babe?” I ask as I place a kiss on her shoulder.

  “Yes, do you need any pain meds before bed?”

  “I don’t think so; my leg has felt great all day. Hey, what do you think about taking me down to the arena tomorrow, mid-morning? I’d like to sit in on the video sessions and see if the trainers will let me work out my upper body.”

  “I think we can arrange that. It'll be good for you to get out of the house and see the guys.”

  Becca got my mom off to the airport this morning and is back home now. In all the excitement of taking care of me and my injury, I never got to take Becca to the dealership to pick up the SUV. They notified me the morning of my accident that it was going to be a few extra days before the vehicle would arrive, due to a shipping dealy. So, before we head to the arena, I plan to have her stop at the dealership so I can show it to her, and arrange delivery.

  “Hey babe, before we go to the arena, I need to stop somewhere first.”

  “Okay, where do you need to go?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “You do realize you will have to tell me once we’re in the car, right? I kind of have to know where to drive to,” she chuckles at me.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Smartass,” I laugh as I smack her ass.