“Babe, you’re locked in. We have to lift you,” Jace said, pulling Colt from his thoughts. He was right in Colt’s line of vision; Jace’s concern visible on his face but his eyes held so much compassion and tenderness Colt could easily lose himself in them.
“I love your eyes,” Colt responded. Jace’s cheeks turned red, and his gaze darted up to the two Medical City staffers who stood by to help Colt into the bed.
“He’s on pain meds,” Jace immediately spoke up, tucking his arms under Colt’s torso and almost lifting him onto the bed himself. Jace moved him with care, but the pain became too much for even the medicine to help and Colt hissed.
“Goddamn motherfucker,” Colt yelled out into the room, his body recoiling as he tried to move away from the agony. Dr. Knox picked that moment to enter the room with a new doctor in tow and Mitch trailing close behind them. Mitch chuckled as Dr. Knox ran to the bed to help Colt.
“Shit, Doc, they’re trying to kill me!” Colt said once he was in bed. He pulled in a slow measured breath, calming himself as the pain started to dull. Laying his head back against the pillow, he closed his eyes. Jace was right there, fussing over him again. Colt could smell his cologne, but never looked at him. He needed the minute to gather himself.
“We can give you more pain medicine, Colt. You aren’t taking enough,” Jace said, gently lifting Colt’s legs to get the blanket up around him.
“Jace, I need some water,” Colt said. He kept his eyes closed, not wanting to look at anyone in the room. He hated being so helpless.
“Okay, ice water?” Jace asked, moving around to the other side of the bed.
“Yes, ice water,” Colt said, thinking he would take longer to find both ice and water. He finally opened his eyes to see Jace staring down at him, apprehension etched all over his face.
“I’ll be right back,” Jace finally said, turning to Dr. Knox. “You’ll stay?”
“Of course. Mitch, go with him, show him around.” Colt prayed that meant, show him the furthest ice machine away. Colt wanted a minute alone with the doctors.
“Sure thing, Pops.”
“Remember, I’ll kick your ass,” Colt tossed out halfheartedly at Mitch. He was really starting to like the guy.
“Waiting… Bring it,” Mitch said over his shoulder, laughing as they left the room.
“Colt, this is Dr. Hauser, he’s your new orthopedist,” Dr. Knox said, coming closer to the bed. Dr. Hauser could be Dr. Knox’s twin. He was older, white-headed, and just had that scholarly look about him. The look always made Colt feel like his care was in good hands, but he didn’t have time for that right now. He needed answers.
“Hi, Mr. Michaels, I’m sure sorry to hear about all this—”
“We don’t have long, Jace’ll be back soon. Do we have a plan? I know this can’t be good.” Colt cocked his head toward his right arm.
“With surgery and rehab, you have a chance.” Dr. Hauser looked down patiently.
“What kind of chance?” Colt went straight to the bottom line.
“I’d say with lots of work you have a good chance.”
“Give me the numbers,” Colt said, clearly getting frustrated. These minutes without Jace were rare. No time to be pussyfooting around the truth!
“Fifty-fifty,” Dr. Hauser shot back.
“Really, that good? I wouldn’t have thought so,” Colt said, thinking over the answer.
“Colt…” Dr. Knox began.
“No, really, I’m thinking an injury like this might be a small miracle to recover from and still continue to play,” Colt said, looking from doctor to doctor.
“We’re going to do everything in our power to get you where you need to be. You’re young and strong, Colt. Let’s take this day by day. I’ll be upfront with you, and you stay upfront with me,” Dr. Hauser said, effectively navigating around the issue.
“I don’t want Jace to know how bad it is. We need to talk when he’s not here. He’s already blaming himself. I don’t like it,” Colt said. He wasn’t certain Jace blamed himself, he hadn’t come out and said it, but he knew how Jace thought. Okay, so yes, thinking from Jace’s viewpoint, he’d most definitely be blaming himself.
“Jace already knows your condition,” Dr. Knox began again, but stopped as the door opened and Jace came in carrying ice, a pitcher of water, and several empty disposable cups. Mitch was a couple of steps behind him, shrugging as he came through the door. It was a guy code shrug, one that said he had tried to keep Jace gone but wasn’t successful. Jace moved quickly, pouring Colt water and positioning everything close to his bed.
“It’s tap water, I can get bottled water when you’re resting,” Jace said, hovering again.
“I’m gonna sleep now,” Colt said.
“I’ll see you two in the morning. Right now it looks like we’ll put that arm back together tomorrow afternoon. We’ll discuss those plans more in the morning. Rest tonight, you got a long road ahead of you,” Dr. Hauser said. He nodded and shook Dr. Knox’s hand before leaving.
“Guys, I’m heading back to New York in the morning. I’m needed there when they brief the team. We’re also going to have to tell your father. Coach Atkins and I talked about it, thought we might drive out to his place tomorrow after the meeting, before word gets out. Mitch will be coming with us. He wants to question your father. I’ll be back by the weekend to check on you, Colt,” Dr. Knox said.
“I don’t want my old man here at all,” Colt specified. He was as convinced as Jace of his father’s involvement.
“We’re going to let him know he’s restricted, pending the completion of the investigation. By the morning, a restraining order will be issued. I’ll put it in his hands myself,” Mitch stated, a smug grin lit his face by the end of the statement. Mitch gave an exaggerated wink toward the room, making sure everyone knew he was looking forward to that exchange.