Page 285 of Breaking the Pucking Rules

She shakes her head, sniffling. “I made you worried and you had to travel all the way out here after landing and?—”

“Sutton,” I warn. “I would go to the end of the earth for you. This is nothing.”

Her little arms tighten around my waist as her sobs subside.

She keeps her face pressed against my chest, and thank fuck she does, because it means she can’t see the tears that are flooding my eyes.

It’s only now that I’m here with her in my arms that I fully appreciate just how fucking terrifying it was to see Mom standing there, waiting for me.

Yes, Sutton has a mild concussion, that is not something to celebrate. But it could have been so much worse.

Movement behind me has me looking over my shoulder, and my breath catches at the sight of Casey and Mom standing together, watching us. They both look emotional and exhausted, but it’s Casey who’s barely holding on.

The second her eyes find mine, a sob breaks free.

It fucking wrecks me, because I want to be over there with her as well as right here with Sutton.

Thankfully, Mom pulls her in for a hug.

“You did amazing, Casey. Thank you for looking after our girl.”

I nod, agreeing with Mom as Casey watches me over Mom’s shoulder.

After a few minutes, Sutton releases me, lying back down. She’s pale and exhausted, her adrenaline running out faster than she can control now that I’m here.

I stay sitting on the edge of the bed as Casey hands me the coffee she promised.

Our fingers touch as I take it from her, sparks shooting up my arm from the small contact.

My lips part to say something, but a knock at the door has me swallowing the words.

Megan, Sutton’s head coach, walks inside, her face hard with stress and worry.

“Mr. Rivers, I’m?—”

“It’s Kodie,” I remind her, just like I do every time she addresses me so formally.

“Of course. I just spoke to the doctor again and everything is as it should be. They’d like to keep her in overnight for observation. I’ll organize accommodation for both you and your mother.”

“I can do it,” Casey pipes up. “Go and look after the girls. We’re all okay here.”

“A-are you sure? I?—”

“We’re fine,” I assure her. “Thank you for everything.”

“When can I come back to practice?” Sutton asks, making us all smile.

“Let’s see what the doctor says before you leave tomorrow and then make a decision from there.”

“But we have another game next Sunday.”

I let out a sigh, understanding all too well her desperation to push through this and continue as normal. Hopefully, she’ll be doing that by her next game. But if there are any signs of this being more than a mild concussion, she’ll have to get through me first.

“If you’re well enough, you’ll get some ice time,” I promise her. “But only if you have medical clearance.”

She stares at me but wisely doesn’t argue.

“You’ll be back on the ice before you know it,” Megan promises. “Good job today, Sutton. And despite the obvious, that was a fantastic goal.”