Page 21

Maybe I should punch him in the other eye. But I think I’m the one who needs punching. Or … to tamp down my violent instincts.

Shaking off Camden’s hand, I say, “A superficial cut needingstitches. How often does this happen?”

“Not often,” the trainer says, then pauses and scratches his head. “Actually, there was a time in the youth program last year when something similar happened. But it’s unusual.”

I’ve had enough. Of the surprises, of the excuses or explanations for my kid getting hurt, of the hockey. I take Liam’s good hand and give him a little tug.

“Come on, bud. Let’s figure out where the nearest ER is.”

“Mom, they can just do it here,” Liam says.

“Whocan dowhathere?”

Again, I glance around the room. The room might look like a fancy medical exam room, but this is no hospital. None of these men are wearing a white doctor’s coat. And other than the one with the blue eyes and a head that’s shaved to cover baldness, they barely look older than I am. “You want the people responsible for your injury to Frankenstein your arm? No, thanks.”

“Ma’am.” I zero in my gaze on the bald man, who steps forward. “I understand your concern. But these are the trained professionals who handle any of the injuries to my players during a game or practice. Dr. Samuelson”—he gestures to the second man, not the one who kept talking to me—”is more than capable of stitching up your son. With your permission, of course.”

“And who are you?”

“I’m Coach Davis,” he says, holding out a hand, which I do not have any intention of shaking. After a moment, he slides it into his pocket and gives me a tight smile.

“Thanks for the offer, but I think we’ll take our chances at the ER. Liam, let’s go.”

“Mom,” my son says, using his most reasonable voice, the one he uses whenever I’m overreacting to something. “It’s fine. They know what they’re doing. Plus, it’s free.”

“I’m not worried about money. And it’s only free because they’re worried we’ll sue.”

The only reason I haven’t sent Jake a preemptive text asking about a lawsuit is because he’d blow up my phone—which I managed to fish out of my car after I punched Camden. Jake might even get on the next plane if he hears Liam got hurt.

But suing is an option. Probably. Not one I’d likely do, but it feels like a piece of armor I can wear right now. I’m sure Liam signed some kind of waiver online pretending to be me, butInever signed. And even with waivers acknowledging the risks and responsibilities, lawsuits still happen all the time. That’s why the coach looks so nervous.

Liam levels me with a very grown-up look. “Mom. We’re not suing anyone. It was an accident. And you know you don’t want to pay for an emergency room visit right now.”

He’s right to appeal to my cheap side. Normally, I don’t want to pay for an ER visit, even if I don’t need this room full of strangers—and Camden—knowing that. While we do have insurance, the deductible is massive, and it’s the start of the year, so we haven’t touched it yet.

“Your health is worth any cost,” I tell him. “Youare worth it.”

“Naomi.” Camden sets down the ice pack, and I force myself not to wince at the redness around his eye. I’m the tiniest bit surprised I landed such a punch, though my knuckles are throbbing and regret is starting to seep through me like the cold air outside. “Please let them take care of Liam. I promise you, they’ll do a great job. It will take less time and far less hassle than going to the ER. Since it’s non-life-threatening, the hospital would make you wait hours there with all the germs. It’s better to take care of this here.”

“Come on, Mom. It’s fine.” Liam reaches for my hand. The towel he’s holding on his wound falls to the floor in the process, revealing his arm for the first time.

I draw in a breath. I don’t care what the guy just said about it being superficial—the cut on Liam’s arm is long and open and immediately starts oozing blood.

Sparks dance across my vision as my stomach lurches and dives.

“Oh, shoot,” I hear Liam say. His voice suddenly sounds very far away. “I forgot Mom can’t handle …”

Blood, I think as I feel my legs give way.I can’t handle blood.

Then there’s only a soft, dark tunnel and a warm body surrounding me as I fall.

CHAPTER6

Camden

“That’sthe woman you’ve been hung up on for months, Cole?”

Without even understanding the specifics of Van’s implication, I smack the back of his head. He barely reacts. Probably because he’s used to it. Occupational hazard of running his mouth.