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“A couple of days!” I threw back the blanket only to look down to see I was wearing nothing but some flimsy hospital gown, my hairy pale legs just out there for the entire world to see. I quickly covered myself back up.
My brother nodded as his shoulders sagged. “Two and a half,” he murmured. “Mom and Dad got here first, and by the time I showed up, you’d already had the surgery. You kept saying Blake’s name, calling out for him in your sleep.” Jackson spun around. “I tried to reach him, but I don’t know his number. I couldn’t find it in your phone, and Maverick...” He closed his eyes. “Well, Maverick blocked me a long time ago.”
“I don’t want Blake here.”
“Don’t you want your boyfriend-slash-best friend with you? You repeatedly asked for him.”
My throat suddenly felt tight, dry, and sore. “No, Blake’s not... It’s not like that between us anymore,” I lied, even as I remembered Blake’s smile, the way he laughed, and how his entire face lit up like the morning sun. Guilt mixed with shame twisted in my belly.
“Hey.” Jackson eased himself back into the chair. “You know I never told you about that summer with Mav—”
“Look who’s awake!” A friendly voice brought my attention away from Jackson, and when I turned toward the door, I found a bright-eyed, smiling male nurse watching me. “Your big brother hasn’t left your side since he got here.”
I met Jackson’s eyes. “Have you slept at all?”
I wanted him to finish whatever it was he was going to say. Admit that he had been in love with Maverick, that they had some sort of secret relationship before Jax left for college. I knew something was going on between them because when Jackson returned to his going away party, he had a bruise on his face and Maverick was nowhere to be seen. I had questions about the ring I found one morning in the kitchen cabinet when I was digging around for something to eat. But instead, Jax simply shrugged and looked away.
“You two are the spitting image of one another.” The nurse winked. He was cute in a twinkish sort of way, with dark hair and bright blue eyes. “I’m your day nurse, Grant.” He wheeled his cart closer to the bed.
I leaned back against the pillows. “Nice to meet you, Grant. I’m Tom.”
“You’re a lucky man, that’s what you are.” Grant started checking my vitals, adjusted the bags of fluid that hung on the poles by my bed. Whatever aftershave or cologne he was wearing reminded me of something I couldn’t put my finger on. It was sweet and light. It smelled much better than this sterile room.
I shrugged. “Depends on what you consider being lucky is.”
“You still have your sight. That’s the most important thing,” Jackson pointed out.
Grant hummed his approval. “You’re going to be back on the ice in no time.” He leaned closer. “Don’t tell anyone, since I’m from Colorado, but I’ve never been a big fan of the bears.”
The thought made my entire body break out in goosebumps. The memory of Martin knocking me down, the way his skate had hit my face, and the throbbing on my cheek caused tears to spring to my eye. My stomach turned, and I covered my mouth as dry heaves hit me. I heard the low whine that escaped my throat, and I turned away with embarrassment.
“Hey,” Jackson eased onto the mattress. “You’re okay, I’m right here.” He brushed the hair back from my forehead, careful not to touch the bandage.
I shoved at his chest. “Don’t fucking touch me,” I growled.
“Tom!” Jackson’s voice was stern. “I know you’re upset.”
I forced a laugh. “Upset? You think this is me upset? No, Jax, this is me devastated that my career is over.” I held up my hand before he could tell me otherwise. “What if I never play again?”
“You don’t know that, Tom.”
“What makes you so sure?”
Jackson sighed softly. “Because you’re an Olson. You’re my tough-as-nails little brother who doesn’t take shit from anyone. You’ll heal, you’ll get back out there, and you’ll show everyone just how amazing you are.”
“We’ll see,” I muttered and folded my arms over my chest.
Jackson nudged my hand. “Yeah, we will, won’t we?”
Grant finished what he was doing and steered his cart back toward the door. “I’ll let the doctor know you’re awake so he can come talk to you.”
I watched his bubble butt bounce as he walked away, and my dick twitched under the blanket. Guess that still worked. When I glanced back at my brother, he was watching Grant, too.
“He’s cute.”
“He’s probably straight.” I shouldn’t be thinking about sex with my nurse. I had my face to worry about. My career. My future.
Jackson chuckled softly. “I can assure you that he’s not.”
