Challenge: A Contemporary MMA Romance: Oni Fighters Book 3

by Natalie Gayle

  “It’s Thursday, Seth. You had the accident in the early hours of Saturday morning.”

  That was days ago, my head hurt like a mother trying to calculate the number of days…

  “Here, Seth, take a sip of this.” The nurse returned and she pushed a bendy straw at my lips. Somehow, I found the energy to suck a shallow sip.

  The hint of chilled water felt so good to my dry mouth. I sucked again and got up the courage to swallow. Pain shot up my throat as the water slid down.

  So tired again. Sleep. Needed to sleep.

  “Your throat’s going to be sore for a day or two. We had a tube down there to help you breathe a few days ago and again while they did your pelvic surgery.”

  Surgery! What?

  My eyelids were so heavy again.

  “You’ve got a cracked pelvis that we had to repair.”

  What was she talking about?

  Sleep, mmm, nice and warm…Sophia was here. I wish she’d snuggle in. I like to have her close. She always smelled so good.

  “Sleep, Seth, I’ll be here when you wake up again.”

  Soft lips brushed my forehead and she squeezed my hand.

  Sophia.

  My Sophia.

  7

  Sophia

  My hands were fumbling so much as I pulled my phone out and dialed.

  “He’s awake. Well, he’s asleep now but he’s awake.” Words were tumbling out of my mouth.

  “Slow down, Sophia.” Eden laughed.

  How could I slow down? I was so excited. It was almost surreal. Actually, had I imagined it?

  “He woke up just before. He ripped his cannula out of his arm, but…”

  “What?” she screeched.

  “Yeah, he kind of started fidgeting, then just punched across his body. I think he woke up in pain and was trying to figure out why.”

  “Is he okay? Did he know who you were?”

  “I think so. He seemed to understand. Oh, I don’t know, Edie. It was hard to tell. He tried to speak a couple of times and it obviously hurt his throat. The nurse gave him some more pain medication and he went back to sleep again really quickly.”

  “Well, I guess that’s good news.”

  I let out a long sigh. “Yeah, it is.” I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. I hadn’t felt this happy since, well, the party…

  “We’ll be in soon. Xander has just finished up a class. Dane and Rohan are taking the night classes. He’s just getting showered and changed. We can give you a break.”

  “Cool. I’m not sure when he’ll wake up again but I promised him I’d be here.”

  “Sure. We’ll bring you something to eat. Xan did a big meal prep earlier.”

  “Sounds great. I can’t eat the food in the cafeteria.” Xander was a great cook. I’d happily eat whatever he served up.

  “I know.”

  “But I will need some chocolate.”

  “Okay, I’ll bring you something chocaholic.”

  There was just a series of giggles before my sister ended the call.

  I called Dane and relayed what happened to him. Then, I sat by Seth’s bed and waited…and waited…I swapped to the other side of the bed and waited some more.

  Nothing.

  No sign of movement, just slow rhythmic breathing.

  I pulled out the iPad Xander and Eden had given me for Christmas and started to flick through social media and YouTube.

  Waiting…I hated waiting.

  I took his hand and squeezed gently—nothing.

  Had I imagined it. Had I really spoken to him, had he really opened his eyes?

  “I can see the anticipation is killing you.” Michelle moved into the room and ran through his obs again.

  “How long till he should wake up again?”

  “That’s so hard to say. The pain meds are really strong. That can really determine when he’ll wake up.”

  “So, let me guess…more waiting.”

  She gave me a sympathetic nod. “At least he seemed fairly lucid when he did wake. That’s really positive.”

  That was a huge relief. He seemed to be reasonably with it.

  “It’ll take a few days. His throat will be really sore for a bit and he won’t want to talk even if he can. And the pain meds will make him very sleepy. You need to take care of yourself. Try and get some sleep too.”

  “I promised him I’d be here.” And I would.

  “It’s up to you but don’t wear yourself into the ground and get sick too. There’s nothing more tiring than waiting. Plus, he’ll need you more than ever when he starts to be more with it.”

  Michelle finished up the obs and slipped from the “fishbowl” again. That was how I’d come to feel about Seth’s glassed-in room.

  It was as if we were constantly on display, every action and emotion. There were no private moments to let your guard down. If you did, everyone saw. It was hard enough everyone now knew about our relationship or whatever it was. I really had no idea how he’d take it when he realized that all of his closest friends knew what had been going on between us.

  I was deep in thought about all that when he groaned in his sleep. A groan that sounded like he was in pain. I could only image how difficult it would be to lay in the one spot for so long.

  I made a mental note to ask the doctor about how much or often he would need to roll or move. I also wanted some reading material on what he needed to do to recover. It wasn’t as if I didn’t have the time to learn all about it and I got to work right away making some notes on my iPad.

  “Hey honey, how are you?” It was Eden and Xander coming in to see Seth.

  “Good, and you two?”

  “All good,” Xander answered for both of them.

  “He was just groaning in his sleep a moment before,” I explained.

  “I don’t know whether I’m imaging it or whether it’s because I know you were talking to him before, but he just doesn’t look so still anymore. It’s nowhere near as disconcerting,” Xander remarked, his eyes assessing Seth laying in the bed.

  “I think you’re right. I guess it’s not something that I noticed because I’ve been here since when he woke up.”

  We spoke about his condition and what had happened for the next few minutes before Eden suggested I take a walk outside to freshen up.

  “Yeah, I could use a little break.” I stood and reached upwards, stretching out my own back that felt tight after so much sitting.

  “Head outside and do a few hip stretches as well. The hips are the first to lock up with all the sitting. You need them loose to have a full range of kicks. Then, come and grab some dinner with us. We just need to throw the containers in the microwave. Nothing worse than eating by yourself.”

  I could use some fresh air. “I won’t be long.”

  “Take your time. We’re in no hurry,” Eden called as I walked out the door.

  Half an hour later, I’d done a lap around the block and stretched out my hips as instructed by the Sensei. For not the first time today, I congratulated myself on wearing casual sports wear into the hospital. It was much more comfortable to wear tights and T-shirt than anything else. I am glad I’d brought a jacket, though. Sometimes, that air-conditioning on the ward seemed to get ridiculously cold.

  There were a few people out but not many. One lap was enough. As much as I enjoyed the fresh air, I was anxious to get back to Seth. I wanted to be there if he woke up.

  We had a quiet dinner in the ICU family lounge then the three of us played a few hands of cards over the little wheelie table beside Seth’s bed.

  “Hey man, you need to wake up. We need another to play five hundred. These Sommers sisters are kicking my butt at blackjack and poker,” Xander threw over at a still slumbering Seth.

  Eden nudged me in the ribs playfully. “We’ve had a lot of experience, hey Soph. Cards was one of the things we used to do when I was in hospital. iPads and stuff were around; we just couldn’t afford them so cards it was.”

  I watched the e
mpathy cross Xander’s face and I wondered how much of her injury and subsequent recovery Eden had actually shared with her husband. I knew it was not something she freely volunteered.

  “Well, you girls are good enough to go professional.”

  “I don’t think so; a professional gambler, I’m not. Now fighting, that’s something that I’m more interested in.”

  “Xander, I can’t believe you’re trying to get my sister to hop into the cage. I can’t say I’m happy about it.”

  Xander looked puzzled. “Why? It’s a natural progression from what she’s been doing, plus, she’s damned good. It would be a waste.”

  “But she’s a girl.”

  It was my turn to but in. “And your point would be?” I gave my sister a long look.

  “Just that it’s not something that I would see a woman doing. I’m sorry, I just can’t get my head around it.”

  A frown creased Xander’s forehead. “So, let me get this straight. You’re fine with me, your husband, stepping into the cage but not your sister?”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “I know it doesn’t make any sense. It’s just I’ve only ever known you as a fighter. You were a fighter when I meet you and, well, I know how strong and, well, tough you are. Sophia is my little sister…I don’t want anything to happen to her.”

  Xander laughed. “Oh, so it’s okay for something to happen to me?”

  “No,” she said and swatted his tight belly. “Of course that’s not okay. It’s just that this is something you do and I guess I’m still getting used to the idea that Sophia does it too.”

  Xander was smirking and I knew he was stirring his wife good naturedly as much as anything.

  “She’s really good, you know?” Xander gave me a playful wink.

  Eden let out an exasperated breath. “Of course she is. I’ve seen her train with all you guys and I know you’ve all been giving her extra training. It’s just she’s…”

  “Still your little sister. How about I promise I won’t ever put her in the cage or ring if I’m not confident she got more than a solid shot at winning.”

  I was sick of feeling like a third wheel on their strange half-humorous and half-deep and meaningful conversation. “Um guys…I’m still here and, at the end of the day, I’m a few years over eighteen. In fact, I’m nearly three over twenty-one. Doesn’t that mean I get to make my own decisions about if I do or don’t get in the cage?”

  They both turned and looked at me suddenly as if it dawned on them.

  Eden gave a reluctant nod. “I guess so.”

  “Why are we even discussing this? I haven’t decided that I’m fighting yet. I don’t know what’s going to happen with Seth.” I turned my attention to Xander. “You just said that you’d draw up the plan and we could start but that no decisions had to be made immediately.”

  “Yep and nothing’s changed, except this conversation seems to have gotten a bit out of control.” Xander raised his eyebrows at Eden.

  Seth chose that moment to groan again and a shudder ran through his body. I immediately reached out and put my hand on his shoulder. His skin was warm to touch. They still hadn’t dressed him. When they’d asked me about it, I’d told them that I thought he’d be more comfortable without a gown. I couldn’t imagine Seth being happy with a hospital gown. It just meant we had to be mindful that he could get cold. I knew from personal experience his body temperature tended to run on the hot side. He was a big guy and generated a lot of heat, in more ways than one.

  Seth moved again.

  “Is he waking up?” Eden asked me.

  “I think he’s stirring. Did you see his eyelids flutter just then? And he seems a little restless.”

  “Seth man, you’re right on time. What do you think about Sophia hopping in the cage?”

  “Xander,” Eden hissed in horror. “You can’t ask him that.”

  “Why not? Surely his opinion is as important as anyone’s in this conversation.”

  I reached out and took his hand. “Squeeze my hand, Seth, if you can hear me.”

  Immediately, I felt his fingers close around mine. They were stronger this time than a few hours before. My heart raced.

  “Did you see that?” I glanced over at Xander and Eden.

  “We did.” Xander’s eyes had lit up and Eden had a soft smile on her face.

  “Seth, Xander and Eden are here with me, squeeze my hand if you understand what I’m saying.” Once again, his fingers immediately closed around mine.

  We all broke into excited, nervous laughter.

  “Can you open your eyes?” I asked him and studied his eyelids. Slowly, his thick lash rimmed eyelids raised and I could see the blue-grey of his eyes.

  It was the most beautiful sight and one I knew I’d never tire of seeing. Emotion gripped me even though I wasn’t alone. I moved forward, bent over and gently pressed my lips to his.

  He let out a low groan as I retreated back to my seat.

  Xander stood and moved to the end of the bed so Seth wouldn’t have to move to see him. “Well, man, it’s so good to have you with your eyes open, but you’ll understand if I don’t lay one on you, I hope. I’ll leave that to your girl.”

  Was that an attempted smirk I saw?

  “How’s your pain level?” God I sounded like a nurse but I didn’t want him to be uncomfortable.

  “Okkkay.”

  “You thirsty?” His eyes brightened and I picked up the unopened bottle of water and a bendy straw from the bedside table. I’d cleared giving him water with the medical staff after he last woke up. I’d wanted to be prepared. They were okay with him having a few small sips.

  I quickly opened the bottle and offered the straw to him. He took a couple of small sips and I watched him wince in pain as the water slid down his throat.

  “Still sore?”

  He gave me a subtle nod and a “yeah.” Or at least what sounded like that.

  Xander was looking at Seth and probably unconsciously shaking his head slowly, almost in disbelief. “Mate, it sure is good to have you back with your eyes open and you with it.”

  I wasn’t sure I’d go as far as saying he was “with it” yet however, he seemed to be understanding and responding appropriately which was so good.

  One of the male nurses came in. “Ah, you’re awake, Seth. I’m Steve and I’m looking after you for the moment. How do you feel?” Steve started doing observations and writing notes in the folder.

  “Shhhit!” Seth managed to get out around a grimace.

  We all chuckled a little, not in malice but rather with him.

  “I’m not surprised. You gave yourself a hell of a whack on the head, fractured your pelvis in a few places, and managed to put a little puncture in your bladder. You’re going to be our guest for a while.”

  I watched Seth’s eyes go wide in surprise or horror, I couldn’t tell. It was obvious that he had no idea he’d been so badly hurt.

  Then, he looked agitated. And I couldn’t quite figure out what he wanted.

  “What is is Seth?”

  “Waallk…”

  We all tried to figure out what he wanted. Then, I realised. Oh God, no wonder he suddenly looked terrified. “You want to know if you can still walk?” There was a slight nod.

  Steve jumped in. “You’re not paralysed in any way as far as we can tell, Seth, just badly banged up. That’s going to take time to heal. The doctors have put a plate in your pelvis to stabalise it. You’re going to be in pain. So you need to let me know if it gets too high. We’re running pain meds but there is room to up them if you need more. Don’t be a hero. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  Seth gave another slight nod.

  “Moving at the moment is going to be tough. Just try to lay still and let the drugs work their magic. The physios will be wanting to get you moving soon enough. Go back to sleep if you feel like it. The more you rest at the moment the better.”

  That seemed to satisfy him. His face relaxed and his eyelids started to drift sou
th again. Sleep quickly took him again.

  Steve turned to us. “He’s going to do a lot of that over the next few days. It’s the strong pain meds. Once the doctors are more sure of the head trauma situation, we’ll have more of an idea.”

  I liked Steve. He gave more precise and direct answers.

  “I gave him a couple of sips of water just before, in case you need to record that.” I knew they were monitoring all of his fluid intake. That’s why they wanted me to only give him water from the bottle.

  “Thanks. I’ll note it.” Steve flipped the pages and recorded the information.

  “So, what happens next?”

  “The doctors will run more tests tomorrow. Another MRI that sort of thing most likely. Once they decide how he is, the next step is getting him out of ICU to a normal ward. Then it will be recovery and pelvic fractures are so hard to predict. Some take a few weeks, others take months or years.”

  Xander, Eden, and I took it all in. It was a lot. The road was going to be long. It was becoming more and more evident, only time would tell on how Seth came out of this.

  8

  Seth

  This time when my brain woke up, my eyelids actually functioned—my vision was clear. It had been a very disconcerting feeling to be awake but not awake. It felt like I’d been floating in nothingness for an indeterminable period of time. Not scary, just weird.

  I was still way woozy, however my brain felt more like it wanted to process information and actually take note of what was going on around me. That was something. How long had I been absent?

  I tried to roll a little as my whole body felt stiff and heavy. A sharp pain in my pelvis reminded me there was a damned good reason I was lying in this hospital bed.

  Problem was, I knew Jack shit about what was wrong with me or why I was here. The only thing I did know was I wanted out of this bed as soon as possible, even though I felt as weak as a new born kitten.

  Something my grandfather Harris used to say to me flashed in my mind, “Any day you get out of bed is a good day, Son.” Based on that theory, today wasn’t going to be so good, because even though I knew sweet fuck all about what was wrong with me, I knew there was no way I was getting out of this bed in the near future.