Score

by M. J. Williamz

  “I sure hope so. I’d hate to think I’m never going to play again.”

  “Get that thought out of your head,” Poehl said. “We’re going to work with you to make sure you get the best treatment possible. You’ll have the team physical therapist at your house working with you. The surgeon was one of the best in the country. You’re in good hands, Meyers. Trust us.”

  “Good.”

  A nurse came in and ushered the coaches out of the room.

  “Who’s taking you home?” she asked.

  “Gayla Adkins.”

  “Is she in the waiting room?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll go get her.”

  “Am I leaving now?”

  “Not right now. We have lots to go over with you. But she should be in here to hear what we say. You’re going to be under the effects of anesthesia for about twenty-four hours, so we like to be sure we’re giving instructions to someone coherent.”

  She left the room, but returned moments later with Gayla at her side. She handed Gayla the prescription for Ronda’s pain medication and anti-inflammatories.

  “Be sure to stop and get this filled on your way home,” she said. “You need these. I want you to take these as ordered. Don’t try to be a hero and go without them. You want to stay ahead of the pain. Once you get behind it, it’s not fun playing catch-up.”

  Gayla nodded and looked at Ronda.

  “Got it,” Ronda said.

  “Great. A therapist will be in soon to go over the use of crutches with you. I can’t stress this enough. Use them. The first couple of days, your thigh may be numb. You’re going to be sure to use crutches so you don’t fall. You don’t want to twist or otherwise injure your knee.”

  The nurse left and Gayla sat holding Ronda’s hand.

  “This is like my worst fucking nightmare,” Ronda said. “A torn ACL. Shit.”

  “But you’re going to get better and you’re going to play again and you’re going to rock that football field.”

  “But this season is over, right? No MVP for me. God, this is frustrating.”

  “I know, baby. It must be. I’m so sorry.”

  Ronda squeezed her hand.

  “I guess it is what it is at this point, huh? I need to accept that it happened and work on getting better.”

  “That’s exactly right,” Gayla said. “And I’ll be here every step of the way to help you.”

  “Thanks, babe.”

  They waited for what seemed an eternity, and finally, a physical therapist came in and showed Ronda some range of motion exercises to do at home. He also got her up on crutches and instructed her on how to use them.

  “It seems to me crutches would be intuitive,” Ronda said.

  “But you’re not going to have any feeling in your thigh the first couple of days. It’s imperative you not try to bear any weight on that leg.”

  “That’s what the nurse said, too,” Gayla said. “We’ll be careful.”

  “After a couple of days, you’re encouraged to bear as much weight as you can. You can bend your knee, just not to ninety degrees. Be sure to elevate your leg for pain relief and to reduce swelling.”

  “That’s a lot to remember,” Ronda said.

  “It’s all in this paperwork I’m giving to your friend,” the therapist said.

  “Okay. Thank you,” Ronda said.

  “Have you thought about where you’ll be doing your therapy?”

  “At home. The therapist from the team will be doing my therapy.”

  “Oh, good,” the therapist said. “Then you’ll have access to the team’s equipment as you progress.”

  “Exactly.”

  “You’re lucky.”

  “I know,” Ronda said.

  The therapist left them alone.

  “How are you feeling?” Gayla said.

  “I’m doing okay. Less foggy every minute.”

  “Good. Now let’s get you dressed.”

  It wasn’t easy, but Gayla was gentle and Ronda was patient, and together they got her out of her robe and into her street clothes. The nurse came back in the room with Ronda’s discharge papers. Gayla left to get her car and Ronda was wheeled out to the exit. Her coaches were with her.

  “Hey, will you guys bring my truck back to my house? I left it at the stadium.”

  “No problem. We’ll go get it right now.”

  “Oh, yeah. And did we win?”

  “Yep. Your pick probably saved the game,” Hindley said.

  “Excellent.”

  Gayla pulled up then and they wheeled Ronda to the car. She tried to stand up using the crutches and following the instructions the therapist had given her, but still, she almost fell.

  “Whoa there. Easy does it,” Hindley said. “Here, let me help.”

  They got Ronda in the car and Gayla drove to the pharmacy to get her prescriptions filled. They had to drop them off and come back in fifteen minutes.

  “That’s perfect,” Gayla said.

  “Why?”

  “You can’t take them for another couple of hours. And this way we can get you settled at home and then I’ll go out and get them.”

  That’s what they did. Gayla got Ronda situated on the couch, then left. Ronda lay her head back and fell fast asleep. She awoke to Gayla and the smell of barbecue.

  “What smells so good?” she asked.

  “It’s dinner. I figured you’d had a pretty lousy day so I’d spoil you for dinner.”

  “Well, I do appreciate that, but I’m going to have to start watching what I’m eating since I won’t be working out or playing for a while.”

  “Fine. You can start that tomorrow. But tonight you’re having brisket and ribs.”

  “Oh, yeah. Now you’re talking.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “I’m famished.”

  “Great. So, let’s get you into a sitting position and we’ll figure out how to feed you.”

  “I can feed myself,” Ronda said. “But I would appreciate some help sitting up.”

  Gayla worked with her and Ronda used her good leg as much as she could, and they finally got her into an upright position.

  “This sucks,” Ronda said.

  “Anything in particular or just the whole situation?”

  “The whole situation. I hate being an invalid.”

  “You won’t be for long. You’ll be back on your feet in no time. I honestly believe that.”

  “Thanks. What would I do without you?”

  “Let’s not worry about that now.”

  Gayla handed Ronda her plate then took her own plate and sat at the end of the couch and ate her dinner. After dinner, Gayla did the dishes while Ronda fell back asleep. She awoke again to Gayla’s soft voice.

  “Baby, baby? Do you want to go to bed?”

  “Hm?” Ronda said. “What?”

  “Are you ready to go to bed?”

  “I think so. I’m pretty wiped out. Can I have any pills yet?”

  “Yeah. Let me go get them for you.”

  She gave Ronda one anti-inflammatory and two pain pills. Ronda swallowed them with water then allowed Gayla to help her to her feet. Gayla handed her her crutches and followed close behind her to the bedroom. She stripped Ronda of her clothes.

  “Did you want some pajamas?” Gayla asked.

  “No. You know I sleep in the nude.”

  “I knew you did when I was here.” She smiled.

  “I do when you’re not, too.”

  “Okay. Fine. You’re set. Do you have an extra pillow I can slip under your leg to elevate it?”

  “Yeah. In the closet.”

  They got her situated and Gayla climbed into bed and snuggled up against her.

  “Do you need anything else?” Gayla asked.

  “Just for you to be here when I wake up.”

  “You don’t have to worry. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next few days were painful for Ronda. She tried to s
tay ahead of the pain, but it didn’t seem to work. The pain pills made her feel good, but didn’t seem to take away the pain. She was in a foul mood, even if she tried to stay upbeat and pleasant for Gayla.

  “Baby, you’re hurting. I don’t understand why the pain medication isn’t working,” Gayla said several days after surgery. “I wish there was something I could do.”

  “Just be here for me, babe. That’s all I can ask. I appreciate all you’re doing for me.”

  Gayla was busy canceling any appointments Ronda had set up and screened all phone calls coming in. She was acting more like a secretary than she ever had before. But she seemed fine with it. She was also monitoring Ronda’s meds, making sure she took them as prescribed.

  “I’m here for you. I’ll always be here for you.”

  The next Saturday, Ronda was propped up on her couch still wishing the pain would lessen. Gayla turned on the game for them to watch.

  “I hope this will take your mind off the pain,” Gayla said.

  “Me, too.”

  The game was a close one, tied at halftime.

  “I should be out there. I can’t believe I got hurt. What a stupid thing to do.”

  “It wasn’t your fault, baby. It was an accident. Accidents happen. Especially in football.”

  Then the opposing quarterback threw the ball at Ronda’s replacement. It was a completed pass that went for an additional twenty yards.

  “She should have picked that,” Ronda said. “I can’t believe she let that happen.”

  She reached for the remote.

  “You’re not turning it off, are you?” Gayla said. “One bad play isn’t worth missing the whole game for.”

  But after several more throws to Ronda’s replacement, they both decided it was time to turn the game off and find something else to do.

  “I’m going to do some exercises,” Ronda said.

  “I’ll get dinner going.”

  Gayla had been there for the whole week. Ronda was so grateful to have her there. She didn’t know what she would have done without her. She really liked Gayla. That was obvious since Gayla hadn’t gotten on her nerves yet. She was surprised by this, but pleasantly so. But having her around so much and sleeping with her every night had Ronda’s hormones starting to act up. She didn’t know if she’d be able to make love to her, but she certainly wanted to try. She decided that night would be the night.

  She did her exercises and grabbed her crutches. She determinedly made her way to the kitchen and moved in close to Gayla.

  “That smells delicious,” she said. She nuzzled her neck. “You smell good.”

  “Thanks. Dinner should be ready in about ten minutes. What do you want to do?”

  “How about we make out?”

  “That sounds great to me, but how would your leg take it?”

  “Let me go pop some pain pills and I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  “You’re not due for pain meds until after dinner,” Gayla said.

  “Don’t be a stickler. So I take them a little early. What’s the harm?”

  She took the bottle off the kitchen counter.

  “Besides,” Gayla said as she took them back. “You’re supposed to take them with food. You’ll puke all over the place if you take them on an empty stomach. Now just be patient.”

  Ronda didn’t want to be patient. She was so horny for Gayla. She didn’t care about her knee right then. All she cared about was kissing and touching and making love with Gayla. She pressed Gayla against the refrigerator and kissed her. She kissed her tenderly at first, but then harder as her passion flared.

  “It’s been too long,” she whispered in her ear. “I need you so bad.”

  “Do you think you’ll be able to? Make love to me, I mean?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m damned sure willing to try.”

  “I worry it’ll hurt you,” Gayla said.

  “I can stand the pain.”

  “No. I mean like reinjure you or do something to your knee.”

  “I’ll be careful.”

  “Well, hold that thought for now. Dinner’s ready.”

  They ate in silence. Ronda tried to focus on the flavor of the dish Gayla had prepared, but was only aware of her closeness. She didn’t give a flying fuck about her knee. She was going to have Gayla that night.

  After dinner, Gayla gave Ronda her pain pills and anti- inflammatories.

  “You know. I’m coherent now. I can manage my pills by myself,” Ronda said.

  “But then why would I have to be here?”

  “For me. Just to be here for me. I love having you around.”

  “Yeah? That’s sweet of you to say.”

  “Well, it’s true,” Ronda said.

  “But if you can get along by yourself, I really don’t need to be here twenty-four seven.”

  “Maybe not, but so what? You might not need to be here, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be here.”

  “Well, we’ll talk about it more later.”

  “Right. For now, I’m taking you to bed.”

  “Baby, it might be too soon.”

  “I promise I’ll be careful.”

  The pain pills were starting to kick in, making her feel nice and relaxed. If only they took the pain away from her knee. She just figured the pain would be a lot worse if she wasn’t taking them. Still, she wished the pain would be gone.

  “Come on,” she said. “Let’s go to the bedroom. Sorry I can’t hold your hand or anything.”

  “Ronda, I’m seriously worried. I don’t think we should do this.”

  “It’s been a week. I promise not to bend my leg too far and to stop if it starts to hurt worse or anything. Now, go on. I’ll follow you.”

  They made their way to the bedroom. Ronda was quite proficient on her crutches so was right behind Gayla the whole time. She pulled her to her and kissed her again.

  “God I’ve missed this,” she said.

  “Me, too. Now let’s get you off your feet.”

  “First, let me undress you.”

  Gayla moved close to Ronda so she could unbutton her blouse, but Ronda was fumbling with the buttons, as she had to hold on to her crutches at the same time.

  “Here,” Gayla said. “You sit down. I’ll get undressed and then help you with your clothes.”

  Ronda sat on the bed and watched with pleasure as Gayla undressed for her. She went nice and slow, just the way Ronda liked to be teased.

  “You’re killing me,” Ronda said.

  “But you love it.”

  “You know I do.”

  When Gayla was completely naked she stood in front of Ronda and got her undressed. They got her on the bed and Gayla put her crutches close to the bed so Ronda could get to them when she needed them. She climbed up on the bed next to Ronda.

  “You sure about this?” Gayla said.

  “I am. I’ve never been more sure about anything.”

  Ronda rolled gingerly onto her left side, careful not to put too much pressure on her knee.

  “My God, you’re beautiful,” Ronda said.

  “And you’re hurting.”

  “I swear, I’m not.” She was telling the truth. She’d found a position that was pain free, and she wasn’t about to shift now that she was in it. “Just don’t make me move, please.”

  “You’re in charge, baby. I won’t make you do anything.”

  “Okay. Great.” She kissed Gayla then, a hard, passionate kiss that made her toes curl. She pressed her upper body into Gayla, feeling their breasts against each other. “Oh, yeah. That’s it.”

  Gayla opened her mouth and Ronda slipped her tongue inside. She tangoed her tongue with Gayla’s until she was so dizzy with need she thought she might pass out. Ronda skimmed her hand over Gayla’s body. She pulled her breast to her mouth. She sucked and licked her nipple until Gayla mewled as she came. Ronda continued to suckle as she moved her hand down between Gayla’s legs. She found her wet and ready for her. It had been so long. It felt goo
d to feel the moist satin area that was Gayla.

  “You feel so good,” Ronda said. “I love how wet you are.”

  “That’s all you, baby. All you.”

  “Mm. Well, I’m happy to help.”

  She slid her fingers inside Gayla and stroked her. She wasn’t at it long when Gayla clamped down on Ronda’s fingers and cried out as she reached her orgasm. Ronda guided her hand to Gayla’s clit. It was hard and slick.

  “God, I wish I could taste you,” Ronda said.

  “So do I.”

  Ronda pressed her clit into her pubis and Gayla came a third time. Ronda opened the table on the nightstand. She pulled out their doughnut toy and turned it on. She pressed it into Gayla.

  “Oh, God,” Gayla said. “Oh, yeah. That feels so good.”

  “Yeah? Is this what you needed?”

  “It sure feels amazing,” Gayla said. “But I’d rather feel your tongue.”

  “I don’t know if I’m as talented as this thing.”

  Gayla started to respond.

  “Sh. Don’t think about it. Just enjoy it. Let it go. Feel the magical tongues working on you.”

  “Oh, God,” Gayla said. “Oh, Jesus, Ronda. I’m gonna come. Oh, God. Yes.”

  She arched her back and gripped the sheet under her. Ronda kept at it until Gayla grabbed her wrist.

  “No more, baby. I’m too sensitive now.”

  “Fair enough,” Ronda said. She was feeling sleepy by then. She rolled over to her back and pulled Gayla against her. They fell asleep.

  On Monday, the physical therapist came over to help Ronda with her exercises.

  “You seem to be healing very well,” the therapist said. “I mean it’s been a little over a week and already I’m seeing some good range of motion out of the knee. You must be doing your home exercises religiously.”

  “I am,” Ronda said. “The only thing I don’t get is why it still hurts like a mother fucker.”

  “It shouldn’t. I mean, there should be some pain, sure. But it shouldn’t hurt that bad. Let’s do an MRI and see how it looks. I’ll set one up for you.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  * * *

  Her MRI was scheduled for Wednesday.

  “You’re so lucky you’re a local celebrity,” Gayla said as they got ready to go to the appointment. “Do you know how long it takes for normal people to get scheduled for procedures?”