It’s Gemma.
Bristol:OMG, Gemma! Did you find him?
Bristol:Never mind. Don’t answer that. Of course you did. You’re texting from his phone.
There’s been an accident.
Evie:Are you guys okay?
Goose:I’m fine, but Sasha’s in the ICU.
Dakota:Gemma, what happened?
His car was crushed like a tin can. I still don’t know how they got him out of it.
Bristol:What hospital?
Indianapolis General.
Bristol:Hang tight. Take care of our boy, Gemma.
My throat closed up, and I choked back a sob. For months, Sasha had vowed that it was his job to care for me. Now, it wason me to return the favor. I climbed into bed with him, and my tears soaked through his hospital gown until I managed to cry myself to sleep.
“Gemma?”
Groggy, I pried my swollen, puffy eyes open in the darkened room. That voice sounded familiar, but I was disoriented and couldn’t quite place it.
Lifting my head, I saw a man standing on the opposite side of the hospital bed from where I lay curled into Sasha’s side.
“Maddox,” I breathed out.
Dressed in a suit, likely having come straight from the arena, he ran a hand through his dark hair as he scanned Sasha’s injured body. “What happened?”
“Car accident.” My voice grew thick, the memory of finding his car still so fresh in my mind.
“They wouldn’t tell me much.” Maddox tilted his head toward the open doorway. “Said hiswifehad been apprised of his condition.” He arched a skeptical eyebrow.
I wasn’t about to contradict the story I’d told the medical team and risk being removed from this room, so I doubled down on my lie. “That’s right.”
“Gemma.” My name was said on a disapproving sigh.
“Are you here to check on Sasha or grill me about the details of our private personal relationship?” Defiance entered my tone, daring him to challenge me further.
“I feel like an asshole,” Maddox whispered, the words so soft I barely heard them.
If the situation weren’t so heavy, I might’ve thrown a dig, asking if that feeling caught up with him often. Instead, I elected to remain silent, allowing him to continue.
“I was furious when he didn’t show up at the rink tonight. My anger reached nuclear levels when he didn’t answer his phone when I called a dozen or more times.” His swallow was audible as he gazed down at not only his player but his friend. “Never could I have imagined he was hurt like this.”
My vision grew blurry, and my attempt to blink back the tears was pointless; they fell down my cheeks anyway.
“Is he going to make it?” Maddox’s voice grew hoarse as emotion crept in.
“That’s what the doctors say. He’s gonna be out of it for a few days at least.”
“Do you need anything?”
His offer was so unexpected that I reared back in surprise. “Me?”
