“Not for now. I’ll just take it easy,” I tell him as a knock sounds at the door.
“I’ll get that for you.” He stands and walks to the door.
The waiter pushes in the table with the breakfast I ordered. My stomach growls once the smell of the food hits my nose.
I sign the slip and hand the guy a few bucks for a tip before he exits my room. I uncover the plate and dig right in, taking a few bites of food before I swallow a pain pill with some orange juice.
“All right, man, I’ll leave you to it. Text me if you need anything and I’ll come check on you once we’re back.”
“Thanks, Josh. I appreciate it, man.” I reach out my good arm to bump fists with him before he heads out of my room. I sit and finish my breakfast before hitting the shower. I throw on some comfortable clothes, now that I’m not going to morning skate.
Once I’m settled back in bed, with ice on my shoulder, I grab my phone and call Laura.
“Hey, Princess,” I greet once she answers.
“Hey, headed to morning skate?”
“Nope. My shoulder is a little worse this morning. Josh came and checked it out. He thinks I should rest it until we return home and I can get an MRI to make sure I didn’t tear the rotator cuff. I’m here at the hotel. He gave me a little bit stronger pain meds to hopefully get me some relief.”
“I’m sorry, honey. I wish I was there to take care of you,” she tells me. “Good thing you’ll be home late tonight, I’ll gladly be your nurse.” My dick instantly goes hard in my shorts at her words.
“Damn, Princess, you’re giving me some naughty mental pictures of you being my nurse. I’m already hard thinking about you taking care of me.”
“You just wait until you get home,” she tells me, the desire evident in her voice and my dick pulses— fucking pulses—in my shorts.
“Now, enough about your naughty dirty thoughts. How is the pain, really?”
“I slept like shit, so that didn’t help. I can feel the pain meds starting to kick in, and while I’m lying here with the ice pack on, it doesn’t throb like it was, so that’s a plus. Josh is hopeful that it’s either a deep bruise or muscle sprain and not my rotator cuff, but only time and the MRI will tell us for sure.”
“So, you’re just taking it easy then today?”
“Yep, that’s the plan. I’ll go sit in the press box for the game tonight. I’ll just be a healthy scratch for tonight, to give us some time to find out what’s going on before they move me to the IR list, if it comes to that.”
“What’s your gut instinct say it is?”
“For how bad the pain is, my guess is I tore a muscle, possibly the rotator cuff. I’ve never felt pain like this in my shoulder, so I can’t say for sure what it is. I just know something isn’t right.”
“Sorry, honey. Wish I could do something to take the pain away.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine, Princess. Some rest will be good for my body, and then we’ll tackle it once I’m home tomorrow, and we’ll have answers by later this week.”
“It’s my job to worry about you,” she tells me.
“Well, try not to worry too much. I’ll be fine. I’ve got some of the best doctors on my side. I’ll be fine in just a couple days,” I say, not sure who I’m trying to reassure more, Laura or myself.
“Did you talk with Will last night?” she asks.
“Yeah.” I blow out a breath. “He said things were pretty rough. I’m going to FaceTime with them today. He said that Brayden was mostly just sleeping all the time due to the meds that hospice has him on to keep him comfortable. Doesn’t sound like they are giving him very long,” I tell her somberly.
“Would you want to fly out for his funeral with me?” Laura asks.
“Depending on when it is, absolutely.”
“The idea of flying out for it has been heavy on my mind since I talked to Amber yesterday. Now that the last little bit of hope is gone that he’ll beat this, the reality has hit me that he’s dying, and I’m just at a loss at what we can do to help them.”
“I don’t think there’s much we can do, at this point, except be good friends and lend a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear when they need someone to vent to. Will said that Amber and the kids weren’t handling things well yesterday, as to be expected when hospice is called in for your loved one.”
“Well, please send them my love when you do talk to them. I wasn’t going to mention to them that I want to fly down, I don’t want that burden on them.”
“Then I won’t say anything about it to them,” I tell her.
“All right, well, I need to go. Daniel is calling, probably to tell me that you’ll be a healthy scratch for today. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Later, Princess. Love you,” I say, before hitting the end button and dropping my cell to the bed.
I flip on the TV and stop on ESPN to catch up on what happened in the league yesterday. They’re going over all the games that were played last night and happen to be on ours. They recap the scoring plays and then show the hit I took midway through the third period. It didn’t go unnoticed that, after returning to the bench after that hit, I left the bench and never returned. I’m sure there will be lots of speculation when I don’t show up for the morning skate or dress for the game tonight.
After dozing for a little while thanks to the pain meds, I wake up hungry, but at least my shoulder isn’t throbbing like it was this morning.
I check the time, and see the guys should be back soon from the morning skate, ready for the team lunch shortly after their return. Instead of ordering more room service, I get out of bed and toss on my team apparel, so that I’m ready to head to the banquet room where they’ll have lunch set up for us.
Mark: Hey, let me know when you guys are back and headed down to lunch.
* * *
Scott: Will do, man. We should be back soon, loading up on the bus now. How’s the shoulder?
* * *
Mark: Eh, with the better pain meds, not too bad right now. But ask me again when they wear off, and it might be a different story.
* * *
Scott: That sucks, hope it isn’t anything serious. That hit made me hurt, and I wasn’t even on the ice when it happened.
* * *
Mark: Yeah, tell me about it. Just hit weird is all. I’ll be fine in a few days.
* * *
Scott: Well take it easy, man. We’ll see you in a few.
While I wait for the guys to get back from the arena, I decided to give the Macentires a call and see how they’re holding up today.
“Hey, Will,” I greet when our FaceTime call connects. He looks like he hasn’t slept in days.
“Hey, man. How’s it going today?”
“Eh, dealing with a shoulder injury, but nothing to worry about. How are things going today?”
“Brayden has been sleeping since yesterday. Only comes to when he’s in pain, it appears, as he starts crying. The nurses say that’s pretty normal, and have been staying on top of the pain meds. He hasn’t eaten or taken in much fluids in the last couple of days, so they think it’s just a matter of time. Amber is second-guessing the decision to have him at home, so it’s a possibility we might move him back to the hospital, or even to the hospice facility, depending on how the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours go.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. How are Liam and Avery holding up?”
“A little better today, now that hospice has Brayden comfortable and not in so much pain. It was hard for them to be around him when he was hurting. As much as I don’t want my son to die, I just want his pain to go away, and I know once that happens, he’ll be pain-free. I’d take his place in a heartbeat if it was possible,” he tells me, breaking down.
“I think everyone is probably in the same thought process. No one—” I stop talking to clear my throat, the emotion making it hard to talk. “No one wants Brayden to die, but we all know that it will stop his pain, and what really matt
ers right now is him.”
“You’re absolutely right. Amber’s in there with him now. She’s got him cradled in her arms, lying with him in the hospital bed. One of us is always in with him. They say sometimes people will come to shortly before they pass away, and will have a few moments of clarity and will talk to you. She, of course, is hoping that will happen and she doesn’t want to miss it.”
Dammit, this is fucking hard, and it’s not even my kid.
“I can only imagine. I hope, for her sake, and yours, that it happens for you guys.”
“Hey, I need to go. Something just happened, and I need to go see what it is. I can hear her crying and calling for me.”
“Go, we’ll talk later,” I tell him, as the call disconnects and I’m left feeling emotionally drained. I can’t even imagine what Amber and Will must be feeling right now.
Mark: Just was talking to Will, doesn’t sound like it will be too much longer. He had to get off the phone with me real abruptly as Amber was calling for him from the room. Didn’t sound good. Just thought I’d let you know.
* * *
Laura: Shit, let me know if you hear back from him.
* * *
Mark: Will do, Princess. I’m headed down to meet the guys for lunch here as soon as they get back from the rink.
* * *
Laura: ok
* * *
Scott: We’re back, headed to lunch now.
* * *
Mark: I’m on my way.
I slip my phone into my pocket and after verifying I have my room key, I make my way down to the banquet room reserved for the team.
Chapter Nineteen
Laura
I’m half-paying attention to the game on TV, while also wanting to text Amber to find out how things are going today. Will hasn’t texted any updates to Mark after he abruptly ended their call this afternoon and that has me worried.
I sit on the couch, eating a pint of Ben & Jerry’s while I flip back and forth between watching the game and composing, and then deleting, messages to Amber. I finally settle on a simple one.
Laura: Just checking in to see how things are going.
I force myself to put my phone down once the message is sent, and not pick it back up to check if it’s been read or not. I’m finally pulled into the excitement of the game. The guys are playing the Devils tonight, and are up four to one at the end of the second.
When the game resumes, we end up on the power play only a few seconds into the third period. Scott adds to the lead with a power play goal not even thirty seconds in. The guys hold on to that five to one lead to finish out the game and claim the victory.
I listen to the commentators as they recap the game tonight and talk about how well the Eagles are doing this season. They are well on their way to another cup run. They switch their focus from the team’s chances of making it to the postseason and another win, to the noticeable absence of Mark on the ice tonight.
“Officially, Lee was listed as a healthy scratch from tonight’s game, but after that hit he took last night, it’s no wonder he didn’t dress in tonight’s game and you have to wonder if they’re watching an injury. He didn’t skate this morning and he never returned to the ice last night, so it won’t surprise me if we end up seeing him on the IR list later this week. I’m guessing once they get back home and can have him assessed completely by the medical team back in Indianapolis more information will be released.” One of the commentators says. It irritates me they’re stating all of this, as he is listed as a healthy scratch. But there’s no hiding the fact he hasn’t returned to the ice since the hit last night, and he hasn’t been a healthy scratch for many seasons.
I’m pulled from the talk on the TV when my phone starts buzzing next to me on the couch. When I see Amber’s face flashing on my screen, I immediately mute the TV and answer her call.
“Hello,” I say, the worry already filling me.
“Hi.” Her voice is worn out, tired, and emotional. “He’s gone,” she says on a sob.
“Oh, Amber. I’m so sorry,” I tell her as tears fill my own eyes. Even with knowing this was coming, it still knocks the air from my lungs. “When?”
“This afternoon,” she says, clearing her voice. “He had a seizure that lasted awhile, and then shortly after that, his body finally just gave out.”
“I’m so sorry. Have you made any funeral plans yet?”
“Yes, the visitation will be Thursday night and the funeral will be Friday morning.”
“How are the kids and Will holding up?”
“My parents took the kids for the afternoon and evening while Will and I dealt with the funeral home. Hospice was obviously here and helped with everything until the funeral home came and picked up his body. That was hard to let happen. I had to leave the room when they moved him. I couldn’t watch as they took him away.
“My parents brought the kids back, along with some dinner that none of us really touched. We ended up just holding them on the couch until it was bedtime. Then both Will and I took our time tucking them in for the night. Both kids were in need of some extra love from the two of us tonight, as expected. I won’t be surprised if they both end up in our room at some point tonight.”
“I can only imagine. I’m glad you got some time with them tonight. I’m sure that was something you all needed.”
“It’s so quiet now without the machines. It’s eerie, almost. I’ve grown so used to hearing his heart monitor that without that beeping sound, I’m almost lost.”
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself in all of this. I know it’s easy to forget that, but it’s still important.”
“Thanks for that reminder. I feel like I could fall into bed and just sleep for days, maybe even an entire week, at this point. I haven’t gotten more than short catnaps for the last couple of weeks. I don’t know how I’m still going right now. I’m glad he’s no longer suffering but fuck, if I don’t already ache with how much I miss him. Miss his sweet demeanor, his laugh, his smile. The excitement he had every time he took the ice. God, life is so unfair sometimes,” she says on another sob.
I do the best I can in lending a supportive ear and virtual shoulder for her to cry on for a few more minutes.
“Well, I should probably go. I need to try and get some sleep, and Will is staring me down from the other side of the room. He says he’ll call Mark tomorrow, and apologizes for never calling him back today. He was on the phone with him when Brayden had his seizure.”
“I’ll let him know, and don’t worry one bit about him not calling back today. You guys have had enough to worry and deal with today. I’m shocked you even thought to call me tonight.”
“Well, you guys have become important to us, and we know how much you two love Brayden. It was important to me that I let you know.”
“Thank you for that, and we’ll talk soon. Give my love to the kids,” I tell her before we disconnect.
I’m heartbroken for my friends for their loss, but also at peace knowing that Brayden is no longer suffering and in pain. Loss like this is so bittersweet, as you don’t ever want the person suffering to be in pain, and unfortunately, sometimes death is the only way for that to happen.
I fall asleep on the couch, my ice cream melted in the container I’d set aside when Amber called. I wake up when Mark finally comes in, around two in the morning.
“Hey, Princess. Let’s go to bed,” he says, helping me stand from the couch.
“He’s gone,” I simply say, letting my forehead rest against Mark’s chest.
“Fuck, when?” he asks.
“Yesterday afternoon,” I tell him, and then fill him in on the details.
We slowly make our way into the bedroom and both get ready for bed quietly. I slip under the covers while Mark is still in the bathroom, and as I’m lying here, I get the overwhelming feeling that I’m finally ready to express my love to him. I’ve been scared to tell him those three little words for the past few months, but he’s done nothing but sh
ow me how much he truly does love me and that I’m his Princess, as he’s taken to calling me.
Mark joins me in bed, and I immediately roll on my side and snuggle against him. Thankfully, the side I curl into is his good shoulder. He has to adjust the pillows a bit to get comfortable, but then we settle in together. With my head resting on his chest, the soothing rhythm of his heartbeat fills my ears. I lazily trace the tattoos on his chest as I build the nerve to finally tell him those words I know he so wishes to hear from me.
I shift slightly so that I can look up at him and find him staring down at me.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” he says, blowing out a big breath.
“How’s the shoulder holding up?”
“The pain meds are helping, but with the pain not subsiding, I’m starting to get a little worried that it’s something serious, and going to keep me off the ice and out of the game for more than a few days.”
“I’m sorry. What can I do to help?”
“Nothing, really. But if you want to come with me in the morning when I get my MRI and the results, you can. I wouldn’t turn down having you with me.”
“That I can do. I was also going to look at flight options to fly to Atlanta either Wednesday night or Thursday morning, and come back Saturday. Depending on what’s going on with your shoulder, did you want to come with me?”
Protecting Her Heart: Indianapolis Eagles Series Book 4 Page 17