My performer instincts kick in, and I roll to the side dramatically, hoping it looks natural. I barely hear the soft gasps of my dancers over the roaring in my ears.
The ground below me disappears, and I’m in the familiar arms of Dante. “I got you, Pips.”
Agonizing fire shoots down my entire right leg, and I cry out. He gets me to the community room, sitting with me in his lap, and a team of people swarms around us. Tons of questions assault me at once.
“Right calf, ankle, heel, knee—all of it. Two pops and then…” I’m unable to finish.
Someone removes my headpiece, someone else my shoes, cutting my tights. Dante rips off my wig and cap, then forces my face to his. No words are exchanged as he removes my hairpins and bun, releasing my hair.
“Dante—”
“Shhh, Popsy, focus on me and let them check you out.”
Tears roll down my cheeks watching them poke around. The room is quiet except for my whimpers. My body bucks violently when pressure is applied to my knee. I lock eyes with one of my athletic trainers.
The man has spent twenty years as a physical therapist and trainer working with many athletes.
He may not be an actual doctor, but his experience and knowledge are wide.
He won’t assume a diagnosis but has a theory.
One reason I chose Kinesiology as my minor was to understand ailments and injuries. Use the knowledge to my advantage.
He doesn’t need to say anything because sympathy is written all over his face.
A shrill, deafening scream tears up my throat as I collapse into Dante.
Chapter 23
Evin
I race through the lobby and down the corridor roped off for employees only. It’s in me to beat the door down, but a man in a headset is walking out and I fly past him.
A low, ear-piercing scream comes from somewhere in the vicinity. My heart stops and I take off in the sound's direction, trying to remember my way around from Poppy’s tour.
My peripheral vision checks the passing rooms to find them empty. Finally, the area opens and she comes into view. A group of people surround her in Dante’s arms. The look on his face slashes through me.
I take a split second to calm before wading into the crowd and kneeling beside the man assessing her leg.
“Baby, look at me.”
At my voice, she twists her head, and déjà vu slams into my chest. I’ve witnessed this look before in my life. The night I told Darby about Pierce’s baby.
The same night her dream died.
Fuck!
“Give her to me.”
“Sir, she needs to stay stationary until we can immobilize her leg,.” someone tells me, and I refrain from punching him.
At the term immobilize, her face crumbles, and she wails, lunging her upper body my way. I hold her tight, staring at Dante. His eyes swell and fuck if my own don’t burn.
“I’m here, gorgeous.”
She doesn’t speak, clinging to me.
My head goes to her shoulder, and I close my eyes, willing myself to hold it together.
The room fills and more weeps sound behind me. Poppy cries harder, her tears soaking into my shirt and skin.
“Evin, they need to take her,” Dante says softly.
Poppy jolts, and I turn my attention over my shoulder. EMTs are waiting with a stretcher. Ryanne comes flying in, and with one look, hits the floor beside me.
“Pips, what happened?”
Poppy remains silent, and I wonder if she’s in shock.
“Right leg injury,” Dante answers, confirming my guess.
“Sir?” the man beside me gets impatient.
“Hold on, baby.” I get to my feet, lifting her as gently as possible, and place her on the stretcher.
“We need her to stand to get an idea of what we’re looking at.”
“Jesus, Cal, she dropped like weight and attempted to roll off the fucking stage. You think she can stand?” Dante spews. “Let her husband get her on the goddamned stretcher.”
The man referred to as Cal isn’t fazed, turning his back to talk to the EMTs. “Get her to the ER and the Ortho on call will be waiting. I’ve already texted. Brace the entire right leg. We’re scanning from toes to hip.”
One of them runs out while the other bends to eye-level. “Ma’am, do you have any allergies?”
She shakes her head at the same time I answer no.
He goes about taking her blood pressure while she remains motionless. The other guy comes back in, and I’m forced to watch as they jostle her to brace the leg.
“We’re out.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Sir, we recommend you follow in your vehicle and bring her insurance information.”
“Like fuck I will.”
“I’ll go with her.” Ryanne lays her hand on my arm. “You get her purse; the insurance cards are in her wallet. Grab her a few personal things. She’ll need to get this makeup off and into something more comfortable.”
“I’ll drive us,” Dante offers.
Poppy’s eyes meet mine and the pain cuts deep. “Do what you need to get ready. I’m walking her out,” I tell Dante.