Winning it All (Men of the Ice Book 3)

by Michele Shriver

  ***

  “We may have found a donor.” Dr. Cook didn’t waste any time in getting directly to the point.

  Dani couldn’t quite believe her ears. It was what she’d been hoping for, praying for, but she didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. “That’s wonderful. Can you tell me who it is?”

  Dr. Cook shook her head. “No. The prospective donor has asked to keep their identity confidential,” she said. “And it’s not one hundred percent certain at this point. We still have to run a few more tests to make sure their overall health is good enough to undergo the procedure, and they’ve requested a little time to come to a decision.”

  “How much time?” Maybe it was selfish to ask, to only be concerned about the wait, when this person might be making the selfless choice to donate their bone marrow to try to help her daughter. Time was of the essence here, though. Kaylen might not have a lot of it.

  “Just today. I was promised an answer by tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow. Okay.” Dani nodded, feeling relieved. It wasn’t long. They’d know soon enough. It would be an agonizing night, but she could handle it. “I hate to ask, because I don’t even want to think about the possibility, but what if this person decides they don’t want to go forward with the procedure, doesn’t want to be a donor?”

  “Then we’re back to square one,” the doctor said. “We keep checking the donor registry and try to find another prospective match.”

  “But that could take weeks,” Dani said.

  “Or months,” Dr. Cook corrected. “Try to stay positive, though. Your daughter needs your strength.” She gave Dani a slight smile. “And I’m cautiously optimistic that this will work out. You understand, though, that this is why we have to keep their identity confidential...”

  Was the doctor implying that Dani might attempt to find the person and pressure them? She didn’t doubt some people might. After all, desperate times called for desperate measure. She wouldn’t, though. Right? “Yes, I understand.”

  “Good. Hang in there, Ms. Greer. I think we’ll get the answer we want.”

  “I hope so.” They had to, because Kaylen might not have months.

  ***

  Instead of taking the most direct route from the hospital to the practice rink, Trevor went for a drive to try to clear his head. He’d absorbed way too many shocks for one week, and his thoughts were a jumbled mess. He knew the right thing to do, there was no doubt about that. He might have made bad choices in his life, but deep down, Trevor was still the same kid from Winnipeg that was raised with old-fashioned values. Maybe that was why Dani’s lies hurt so much. Didn’t she know him at all? Didn’t she have any faith? Had she truly doubted whether he would be there for her, and for their child, when she needed him?

  It stung, but he had bigger concerns right now. He was late for practice, earning him the wrath of Coach Moreau and a certain scratch in the game. The last game of the season, with a playoff berth on the line. And he’d be benched.

  “You know what this means, Trevor,” the coach informed him when he finally did arrive at the rink. No questions, no request for an explanation. It was zero tolerance here.

  Trevor nodded. “Yes, Coach, I do, and I fullty understand.” He hesitated. “The truth is, even if I’d been here on time, I was going to ask to take myself out of the game.”

  The coach frowned. “Is something wrong?”

  “It’s not what you’re probably thinking,” Trevor assured him. “I’m not in trouble. I’m not using again.” He wanted to make sure that was clear. The announcement he was about to make might cost him the new contract he coveted, and Trevor would have to live with that. But he didn’t want any whispers or rumors about why he wouldn’t be playing. “I’d like to address the team, if you don’t mind. Everyone deserves to know what’s going on.”

  Coach Moreau nodded, and blew his whistle to gather the guys around. “Collison has something to say.”

  Trevor waited until he had everyone’s attention, and cleared his throat. “I was late for practice today because I was driving around town, thinking about some things. Per team policy, that means I can’t play in tomorrow’s game, and I’m good with that. Even if Coach had decided I could play, I wouldn’t. I’d take myself out of the game.” He paused and looked around. “I have to take myself out of the rest of the games this season, whether that’s one more or five more or twelve or whatever.”

  It was Colton, their captain and leader, who stepped forward, his expression one of concern. “What’s going on, man? Are you okay?”

  “I’m okay, yeah.” Trevor took a deep breath. “A few days ago I found out I have a daughter, and she’s very, very sick. She’s the one in the hospital that I’ve been going to see all the time,” he explained. “Anyway, that’s kind of a long story for another time. The important thing is that she’s sick, but I have a chance to do something that could potentially save her life. If I do it, it means no contact sports for at least a month, and I can’t put it off and wait until our season’s over, whenever that might be, because she might not have the time. That means I won’t be going with you to Nashville, and if you clinch the playoff spot, I won’t be available. I’m sorry if I’m letting you down, but I have to do this.”

  “We get it, bro.” It was Ryder Carrigan, one of the alternate captains. “We understand. Family comes first.”

  “He’s right. I’d do exactly the same thing if it were one of my kids,” Seth Rollins said. Trevor knew Rollins had two kids back in Michigan that he didn’t see nearly as often as he wanted.

  “Thanks, guys. Thanks for understanding,” Trevor said. Their support reminded him of why he loved the team so much. Hopefully he hadn’t played his last game with them.

  “What’s her name?” Colton wanted to know.

  “Kaylen. Her name is Kaylen.”

  Colton nodded. “Okay, then.” He stepped forward to stand next to Trevor, facing the rest of the guys. “We know what we have to do. Let’s go out there tomorrow and win this one for Kaylen, and for Trev.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  By the next afternoon, Dani still hadn’t heard anything more about the prospective donor. She tried to stay positive, all the while hoping and praying for the best. It was a fine line. Since there wasn’t much else they could do but hope and wait, and Dani wanted the hoping and waiting to be as comfortable for Kaylen as possible, the two of them gathered in her room to watch the last Generals game of the regular season. The playoffs were on the line, with San Antonio in a ‘win and you’re in’ scenario for the postseason. It was a remarkable feat for an expansion team, and Dani didn’t want to miss the game, even if it would hurt a bit seeing Trevor out on the ice knowing how angry he was at her.

  “Surprising news out of Nashville tonight, as we’ve learned that Generals starting right wing, Trevor Collison did not make the trip,” the television announcer intoned. What the hell? It got Dani’s attention, for sure, and she reached for remote on Kaylen’s bed to raise the volume. “The team cited personal reasons for the absence of their second leading scorer, whose presence will certainly be missed against a tough Predators team. Should San Antonio win tonight, it remains a question mark whether Collison will return for the playoffs. In the meantime, Thomas Rodriguez will get his chance to play alongside Tremblay and Brantov on the top line, and Trenton Majest slots into the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the last several games. It will be interesting to see how the line changes affect the team chemistry...”

  “Mom? Why isn’t Trevor playing tonight?”

  “I don’t know, honey.” Dani looked at her daughter, a Generals ball cap on her hairless head, ready to watch her favorite team play, but without her favorite player in the lineup. Her father. It was impossible not to wonder whether Kaylen somehow knew, and that was why she always cheered for Trevor and immediately proclaimed him as her favorite on the team. Maybe, too, it was why Trevor felt the instant bond with Kaylen. Was it foolish to think that, or was it somehow real? And i
f so, what had she done by keeping them apart? Worse, had the truth sent Trevor into a relapse that now threatened his place on the team? No. No. She refused to think that. There had been nothing in the news of him getting in trouble. Surely he just had the flu or something, right? “Maybe he’s not feeling well.”

  “He’s feeling fine, actually.”

  At the sound of his voice, Dani turned to face Trevor. Sure enough, he looked fine. Great, really. Hopefully the reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated. “But what are you—”

  “Doing here?” Trevor asked.

  “Yeah.”

  Trevor gave a casual shrug as he walked closer to them. “Because I had the opportunity to help someone very special to me. It was a no brainer, really. I mean, the playoffs would be nice, but saving someone’s life would be better.”

  “What are you saying?” Dani asked. Okay, she had a general idea. But was this really happening? Could it be that Trevor was the match, the person who might be able to help Kaylen?

  “Can I talk to you outside for a minute?” Trevor cast an upward glance at the TV screen, which still showed the pre-game. “I think we have a few minutes.”

  “Sure, okay.” Dani nodded, then glanced over at her daughter. “We’ll be right back.”

  They walked out into hallway and to a slightly quieter area, away from the traffic of the nurse’s station. “You’re just about the last person I expected to see here tonight,” Dani said. “And not just because you’re supposed to be in Nashville.”

  ***

  Trevor wasn’t entirely sure what to say to her, but he knew they needed to talk, so he was relieved when Dani agreed to give him a few minutes. Where they went from here, he had no clue, but she deserved to know the identity of Kaylen’s donor.

  “I’ve had to make some pretty quick decisions,” he said. “I got a phone call from the transplant nurse yesterday morning, saying Dr. Cook wanted to meet with her.” He stopped walking and turned to face Dani, shoving his hands in his pockets. “It turns out she thinks I’m the best possible match for Kaylen, and that my bone marrow might be able to save her.”

  Dani nodded. “She told me yesterday that we had a possible match, but that they’d asked to keep their identity confidential.”

  “At first I wanted to,” Trevor said. “I’ve been a little ticked off at you since I found out the truth. Still am, really.” He took a breath. “But that’s between us, and something we’ll either work out or we won’t. The important thing is Kaylen, and trying to help her. Besides, when we got closer to the transplant time, I didn’t see any practical way to keep you from finding out the truth. It seemed rather petty to try.”

  “Thank you.” Dani sighed audibly. “I was so worried you’d hate me.” She wrung her hands together. “And I wouldn’t entirely blame you.”

  Trevor shook his head. “Hate is a strong word, and an emotion I could never feel for you.” No, he loved her. Always had, probably always would. Was it enough, though? Forgiveness was the big issue.

  “I hope so someday you’ll understand why I did what I did, and maybe even forgive me.”

  “Maybe,” he answered. “I’m working on it.”

  “That’s all I can ask right now,” Dani said. “Thank you for getting tested. You know, in spite of being angry with me.”

  “Did you actually think I wouldn’t? I’ve made mistakes, sure, but I don’t think I’ve ever been a selfish jerk.”

  “Of course not. I didn’t mean...” Dani shook her head. “Sheesh. I can’t seem to say the right thing around you these days.”

  “Relax.” Trevor gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “You’re tired, you’re stressed, you’ve got a lot on your mind. We’ll have time to work on us later, figure out if there’s going to be an ‘us.’ Let’s get our little girl healthy first.”

  “Yes, let’s.” Dani returned his smile. “It’s a big sacrifice you’re making, given the timing.”

  “I suppose.” Trevor shrugged. “Some things are more important than hockey, though. I talked to the guys yesterday, and they understand why I need to do this.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “It is, yeah. But let me tell you, it’s gonna be weird being a spectator tonight, with so much on the line. Think you got room for one more to watch the game with you and Special Kay?”

  “I think we can find you a chair, yes,” Dani said with a laugh. “Gotta warn you, though, the TV’s at a bad angle and you’ll probably end up with a crick in your neck.”

  “I’ll take my chances. I just don’t want to watch it alone.”

  ***

  Kaylen was understandably excited about Trevor watching the game with them, and Dani was able to have another chair brought in, so Trevor sat beside her as they both strained their necks to watch the TV mounted on the wall. “You’d have a much better view at home,” she told him.

  “Maybe,” he said, “but I wouldn’t have my favorite girls with me.”

  Girls. Plural. Dani wondered if it was a slip of the tongue, or a sign that on some level, Trevor had already forgiven here. Either way, having him here with them, all of them watching the game together, felt right. It felt like they were a family. Did Trevor get the same feeling?

  Nashville scored early, putting San Antonio in a 1-0 hole, and she worried the team’s playoff dreams might be slipping away. If they lost, would Trevor second guess his decision? Worse yet, would it affect his chances of earning a new contract? Dani didn’t want to consider the possibility of Trevor leaving again, so soon after he came back.

  The coach juggled the line combinations after the early Nashville goal, apparently in search of chemistry in Trevor’s absence. It soon paid off, and they all three let out a loud cheer when Ryder Carrigan tied the game on a one-timer off Nik Brantov’s pass.

  “We’ve got this now,” Trevor declared. “I can feel it.”

  Somehow, Dani felt it, too. “I think they want to win for you, Trev.”

  “No, not for me.” Trevor looked over at Kaylen. “For her. They’re going to win this one for Kaylen.”

  His words proved to be prophetic when Noah Mann set up ColtonTremblay for a power-play goal to take the lead midway through the third period, and the Generals held on for a 2-1 win, and a playoff berth in the franchise’s very first season.

  “Playoffs. Wow,” Trevor said. In spite of his earlier confidence, he now sounded as if he didn’t quite believe what he’d just witnessed.

  “I’m sorry you won’t be able to experience it.” It was incredible thing he was doing, and at a personal cost. No matter what happened, Dani would always love him for that.

  “It’s okay.” Trevor reached for her hand. “Everything happens for a reason, and I’m right where I need to be.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  After a week of conditioning, it was transplant day. The total body irradiation Kaylen had gone through in order to weaken the cancer and unhealthy bone marrow left her tiny body further weakened, if that were even possible, and made her nauseous, as well. It all but killed Dani to see her daughter in such a state, and she would have given anything to trade places with her. Since that wasn’t possible, she did her best to remain strong. It didn’t help that Trevor was the donor, meaning she wouldn’t have him by her side throughout the process, even after she’d come to rely on him as her rock.

  He’d undergone stem cell mobilization over the past few days, and now it was time for the cells to be harvested from his body and then infused into Kaylen. It sounded like a complicated process, but Dani had full confidence in Kaylen’s medical team, and Trevor had so far handled everything like a champ.

  “It’s going to be fine,” he’d assured her several times over the past few days. “It’s a minor surgical procedure and I’ll be asleep the entire time. A little pain when I wake up, but I’ll probably be home from the hospital the next day.”

  Indeed, everything Dani had read about the process told her that was the case, but she couldn’t help but be
nervous for both of them. She got permission to see Trevor in his room before the anesthesia was administered.

  “Hey, beautiful,” he greeted her from the bed.

  Dani laughed. “Such a charmer, even right before you go under the knife.” She didn’t mind his flirtatiousness, though. Hopefully it meant he was well on his way forgiving her.

  “Nope, no knives,” he said. “Just a big, long needle inserted in my back. If it involved a knife, I might not do it.” Trevor’s lips curled in a half-smile. “I’m too chicken.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re the strongest man I know.” He’d battled his demons, yes, but Dani didn’t see that as weakness. The fact that he’d triumphed over them was a testament to his strength.

  “You flatter me,” he said. “But I have to be strong for Special Kay. How’s our girl holding up, anyway?”

  “She’s tired and weak and scared,” Dani said. “She knows she has a lot of people thinking about her and praying for her, though.”

  “Yeah, like an entire hockey team.”

  “She’s a fighter, just like her dad.”

  A nurse came into the room. “Sorry to interrupt, but it’s time to get to the OR. Are you ready, Mr. Collison?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s do this.” As the nurse wheeled the bed out of the room, he gave Dani a thumbs up. “I’ll be back before you know it, baby. Better than ever.”

  Dani smiled. “I’m counting on it.” As he disappeared out of the room, she added. “I love you, Trevor Collison.” She doubted he heard her, but it needed to be said.

  ***

  Dani alternately paced the waiting room and tried to pass the time by thumbing through bad magazines. A television in the corner droned on with a soap opera that held no interest to her. She almost wished she could get into it. It might take her mind off things.