“Miami has doctors, too,” Eva resisted. “In fact, one of the top ACL surgeons is based here.”
“Nonsense,” Mrs. Montgomery clucked. “Boston has world-class healthcare. Plus your parents,” she added. “Who’s going to take care of you after the surgery and drive you to and from rehab?”
Mrs. Montgomery’s dark eyes flashed in my direction as if challenging me to argue with her. Or maybe she was only asking me to back her up on this. I hadn’t spent enough time with her yet to interpret her non-verbal cues.
“I’ll have the surgery in Boston,” Eva placated. “We’ll talk about my rehab later.”
Mrs. Montgomery’s expression softened only slightly, as if she’d won a skirmish but not the war. “Maybe this injury was fortuitous.”
Eva rolled her eyes. “I can’t even imagine what you’re going to say next.”
“It’s a reminder of how fragile this career choice is.”
“Mom.” Eva’s tone pitched up in frustration. “We’ve gone over this a thousand times.”
“There’s going to be a time when basketball is no longer an option,” came her unsolicited advice. “It’s best you start thinking about that now rather than later.” She looked sharply in my direction. “Both of you.”
I only spokemy peace when everyone had turned in for the night. I set up the guest bedroom for Eva’s mom before retiring to the primary room.
Eva was arranging the pillows that propped up her knee.
I sat down at the end of the mattress and toyed with the duvet. I spoke quietly but carefully so she wouldn’t miss my words: “I can take care of you after your surgery.”
She shook her head. “You’re still going to be playing. I won’t have surgery until February, but this season runs through March.”
I straightened, a stubborn flutter in my chest. “I’ll quit.”
Eva’s features pinched. “You can’t do that, baby. You’ve got a responsibility to Briana. If you drop out, others might, too.”
I swallowed. “Oh. I didn’t think about that.”
The league was brand new. Two players dropping out within weeks could start a chain reaction. After Eva’s injury, Briana might face a mass exodus of talent who decided it wasn’t worth it.
“No one wants to get injured in the off-season,” Eva went on. “What if they miss an entire year due to injury and get released from their pro team?”
She exhaled slowly, her gaze dropping to her leg. “I won’t be able to play this year. No amount of PT is going to have me ready. The regular season starts in May, and there’s no way I’d even be ready for the playoffs. The entire upcoming season is a bust.”
“Chicago’s not going to release you,” I said, trying to lift her mood. “They invested too much draft capital to let you go that easily. You’re the future of that team.”
“I know. My brain knows, at least,” she murmured. “But another part of me …” She looked down at her swollen, angry knee. “Another part worries I’m replaceable. A new draft is coming. New hotshot rookies.”
“You’re Eva frickin’ Montgomery,” I said firmly. “Ain’t nobody replacing you.”
Gingerly, I got into bed, careful not to disturb her knee. I fluffed the pillows behind my head and welcomed her into my arms. She rested her head on my chest, letting out a quiet sigh. I ran a hand along her hair, letting the quiet stretch between us.
“Is your mom going to freak out that we share a room?” I asked after a moment. “Should I sleep on the couch until she’s back in Boston?”
“My mom isn’t naive,” she murmured, lifting her gaze. “She knows what two grown women can get up to. Besides, it’s not like I’m in any condition to do more than lay in bed.”
I grinned, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Sounds like a challenge.”
Eva’s laugh was soft, but then her shoulders tensed against me. “I’m scared, Lex.”
I held her a little tighter.
I was, too.
I wasreluctant to leave Eva at the apartment the next day, but she’d practically shoved me out the front door. I had weights to lift and treatment in the PT room and an afternoon practice. Eva reminded me of my responsibility to Briana and to my teammates, but in truth, she was the only one I was worried about. Eventually, however, she’d convinced me to go, with the promise that she’d take things easy while I was gone and would accept her mom’s help if she needed it.
