Page 34 of Pick Me This Time

16

DAPHNE

“He’s a freaking idiot,” I muttered to my brother. My heart pounded in my chest and my breath caught in my lungs as I waited for Sterling to wake up. “What the heck was he thinking? He probably hasn’t touched a football in a damn decade and these kids have been practicing every day of that time. Just reckless.”

Eric was bent over beside me, studying his friend’s face. Sterling groaned, his eyes finally moving under his lids before they slowly blinked open.

“There he is,” Eric said.

“Give me some space, guys,” I called to the team, who had formed a loose, semi-circle around us. “I need to make sure he’s okay and I can’t do that with all of you crowding him.”

“You going to be okay here?” Eric asked as he straightened up, putting out his arms to start herding the boys away.

“I’ll be fine. If we need an ambulance, I’ll call you back.”

Eric groaned. “Please don’t let us need an ambulance. He’ll shake it off, Daph. I told you that. His head is harder than it looks.”

I sighed. “Just let me check him out.”

While I definitely wasn’t a doctor, I’d started learning first aid back when Eric had been playing. It had seemed prudent to have someone in the family who knew the basics. Since then, I’d kept my certification up to date and I’d even done a few extra courses while I’d been teaching, enhancing my knowledge and sharpening my skills so that I would be prepared if one of the kids ever got hurt on my watch.

Eric managed to move the team away, and I faintly heard him telling them to resume their drills at the other end of the field. Meanwhile, I settled on my knees beside Sterling, bending over him as his eyes seemed to slowly focus.

“Don’t try to move yet,” I murmured, fighting the urge to stroke my fingers along his cheeks just for some comfort.

When I’d seen him go down, I’d nearly burst into tears. I’d leaped up, racing down the steps on the bleachers and practically flying onto the field. My heart had gone crazy when I realized he hadn’t immediately gotten up.

He groaned but did what I’d said, simply blinking and looking like he was taking stock of whatever he was feeling in his body. I flashed him a small smile. “All your limbs are still attached, but I’m going to ask you some questions, okay?”

“I don’t have a concussion,” he muttered groggily. “I’m not even that sore.”

“Not yet. You’re going to answer my questions anyway.”

“So bossy,” he whispered, those dark eyes snagging on mine and the tiniest grin appearing on his lips. “Go ahead, Daph. Give it to me. I can handle it.”

My eyebrows twitched up ever so slightly. “Why did that sound dirty?”

“I don’t know,” he said, but I saw the glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “What did you say again?”

Or maybe it’s not amusement.

“Okay, North Star,” I said. “Where are you?”

“I’m fine, really.”

“Then tell me where we are. Better yet, tell me what idiotic thing you were just doing to get flattened like a pancake in the first place.”

He just smiled at me. “I’m fine.”

Ignoring my earlier instruction, he bent his elbow and pushed into the ground, clearly trying to sit up. I let him do it, but as soon as he winced, I shook my head at him.

“Alright, Hot Shot. We’re going to the clinic to get you checked out properly.”

“That’s really not⁠—”

I shot him a stern look. “We’re going. It’s not negotiable. Don’t make me knock you over the head again to agree.”

“You really are bossy.” He finally managed to push himself into a full sitting position, then allowed me to wrap my hands around his arm and gently pull him up.