“It depends on his history. I’m sure the team’s medical staff has already sent the hospital his records. Just have faith,” she adds with a soft smile.
Another glance down at Maverick, another silent prayer for him to open his eyes. I place soft kisses along his knuckles and on the back of his hand, hoping he can feel me beside him.
“You’re going to be alright,” I whisper into his ear. “You have to be, because without you, I’m lost. You’ve given me so much and if you don’t open your eyes, Mav, I have nothing. Wake up. Please.”
I watch him and wait because a part of me believes his eyes will just flicker open but when it doesn’t happen, I lean back and sigh.
“It’ll be okay,” I tell him, my voice louder this time. “Your body needs to rest. You played a tough game today. When you wake up, we’ll deal with the outcome together. No matter what, I’m not leaving your side. You’ll have to divorce me, and we never signed a prenup.”
Four
Maverick
My head is throbbing. No, not throbbing, more like Lars Ulrich from Metallica is playing a drum solo inside my skull. The pain is unbearable, and I can barely keep my eyes open.
And then someone shines the brightest fucking light in my face.
“Maverick? Can you hear me?” The person with the light asks.
“Yes,” I growl. “Who the fuck are you? Where am I?”
The light turns off with a click and I blink. A doctor stands over me, a frown on his face. “I’m Dr. Jackson. Can you tell me the last thing you remember?”
“Yeah,” I start to say but then, nothing comes to mind. I don’t know what day it is or even what I did last night. “No. I can’t.”
Dr. Jackson hums and makes some notations on a laptop perched on a rolling cart. “Okay. Well, now that you’re awake, we’re going to run some more tests.” He pats my leg and tries to give me a reassuring smile. “Sit tight.”
The door to my room opens as he maneuvers the cart to leave. “Just in time,” he tells my visitor. “He’s awake.”
“Oh, thank god.” The voice is familiar and female. When she steps into the room, her identity surprises me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice harsh.
Mia blinks in surprise. “What do you mean? I was at the game and Mr. Spaulding took me down to the field.”
“No wonder this happened. You came to the game.” My gaze flicks down to her hand. “Why are you wearing your engagement ring? We’re done, Mia. You need to move on.”
Her mouth pops open and then closes with a click of her teeth. “What are you talking about? What’s the last thing you remember?”
I look away because the pain in my head is getting worse. “Everything is a blur right now but I’m pretty certain we’re done, and you shouldn’t be here.”
“Maverick.” My name comes out of her mouth in a gasp.
“I want you to leave, Mia. We’re over, remember?”
“I’m not leaving you,” she says firmly.
“Get out before I call security and have you escorted out of the hospital.”
“I’ll leave, Mav. I don’t want to jeopardize your recovery, but we’re not done. Far from it. I’m your wife.”
Her footsteps are soft against the linoleum floor and the door opens and closes before I have the chance to demand an explanation. There is no way Mia and I are married. After the photographs I saw of her and Casey together, reuniting with her is impossible. Once a cheater, always a cheater.
My anger is temporarily forgotten when a tech from radiology comes to get me for another scan of my brain. When the tech brings me back to my room, there’s no sign of Mia anywhere. I’m left alone and fall back asleep.
Not for long though because a nurse comes into my room to check my vitals and to wake me up.
“Sorry,” she says with a kind smile. “You’ve got a concussion. We have to keep you awake.”
