Page 280 of Breaking the Pucking Rules

Calling Kodie to say there was an accident will be one thing, but calling him with worse news…

Acid churns in my stomach, burning up my throat.

No, that’s not going to happen.

She’s going to be okay.

Aurora’s mom and I step back, allowing the EMTs to roll Sutton onto a stretcher.

“Look after the girls. I’m going with her,” I say before hurrying after the stretcher.

“Casey,” Megan cries. When I glance back, I find that she’s untangled herself from the team and is racing after me.

“Look after the girls,” I tell her. “I’ll message you where we are.”

“Are you sure? I can?—”

I glance up at the horrified faces watching us.

“I won’t leave her side. I’ll call Kodie and Kathleen.”

“No, I can?—”

“I’ve got this. I’ll message you,” I call as I chase after the EMTs who rush down a hallway now that they’re off the ice.

The second they have her loaded into an ambulance, I jump in beside her, taking her hand as we immediately take off.

“I’ve got you, Sutton. Everything is going to be okay. I’m going to call your dad and?—”

“Don’t,” a little voice whispers.

My heart jumps into my throat, and I surge to my feet, ignoring the glare from the EMT.

I stare into her eyes, my muscles relaxing sightly.

“I’m okay,” she says softly.

“Sweetie, you’ve been unconscious. You?—”

“Please, please don’t tell him. He’ll worry.”

My nose itches with emotion, my eyes burning as tears flood them.

“That’s his job to worry about you,” I assure her.

“He should be focusing on the game. Last night…”

I hang my head as her words trail off.

She saw Kodie losing his shit and getting thrown in the box.

“He’s not…he needs…” I squeeze my eyes closed, hating that she’s got to witness all of this. But then she says one final word that has my eyes popping open again. “You.”

All the air rushes from my lungs as the ambulance takes a corner, making me stumble.

“Miss, please sit down,” the EMT instructs.

I’m too stunned to do anything but what I’m told, and my ass hits the seat once again.