“I can’t say for sure, but if you were able to catch him, you may have reduced the injuries we normally see.”
Short Officer asks more questions as his partner escorts Mandy to the car.
“I’m sorry,” I interrupt. “I’m not focused on anything you’re saying. Can we do this later, please?”
“Sure. We’ll come by the hospital once we process her.”
The paramedics secure Jason to the stretcher as I turn my attention to him. “Are you taking him to UCLA Med Center?” I ask.
“Yes. It’s just a short ride, ma’am,” the male answers, lifting the stretcher and locking it.
I pick up my purse and Tommy touches my shoulder. “Let me take you. You shouldn’t be driving.”
“I’m coming with you guys,” Derek says. “Let me grab a jacket.”
“Good idea,” Tommy states.
They both duck inside for jackets. Tommy returns wearing his leather jacket and hands me Jason’s warm-up jacket. I bring it to my nose and inhale. Tears flow again as Derek joins us.
Tommy wraps me up in his arms. “He’ll be okay. You heard what the paramedic said about what you did.”
“I accused him of starting the fight, but it was me,” I say, sobbing. “If I hadn’t said what I did, she wouldn’t have hit him. Oh…God!” The gravity of my recklessness sinks in and my sobbing ratchets up to bawling.
Tommy guides me to Derek’s car and strokes my hair. “Blaming yourself isn’t going to change anything or help Jason. Mandy has some loose screws. The last one was bound to fall out sooner or later. You have no control of what she does.”
We arrive at the Emergency Department with Tommy’s arm around me. I wish it was Hunter’s arm comforting me while waiting for word on Jason. Or even Damian’s. But I know Tommy meant what he said about the team being family for me. I inherited a band of brothers willing to do anything for me and Jason.
“Coach, this is Jason’s fiancée, Sara,” he says.
Coach holds out his hand. “Good to finally meet you, Sara. I wish it was under better circumstances.”
“Likewise, Coach,” I say, taking Coach’s proffered hand.
“They’re running tests right now. They’ll give us an update when they have results.”
“His mom is on her way up.”
“Sara, do you want anything to drink?” Derek asks.
“Coffee would be good. Thanks,” I answer. Jason would laugh since I’m not a coffee drinker, but it’s cold in here and it’ll be a long night.
“Tommy? Coach?”
“I’m good,” Coach answers.
“Coffee for me too.”
The rest of the team trickles in over the next hour, each of them offering a comforting hug. Tommy stays next to me with his arm on the back of the chair.
I bounce my knee and tap my fingers on the chair’s armrest. If it bothers anyone, no one says a thing. I don’t even try to rein in the anxiety. It keeps me from thinking the worst.
I can’t think about a world without Jason. A life without my rushing river carrying me, safe in his arms. A story without always and forever. It would rip me apart into unrecognizable pieces.
I can’t go there. Not now.
I leap out of my seat as soon as Alana and Dad walk in. I throw my arms around both of them and start crying again.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Dad says in a soft, reassuring tone.
I let go, swiping a hand across my cheeks. “No it’s not, Dad. We were fighting when it happened.”
“I need to hear the whole story,” Alana says. “You said it was Mandy?”
I gesture to an empty corner for a modicum of privacy. I relay the events of the last day and a half as succinctly as I can.
Dad covers my hand and my knee each time the anxiety takes over. I blow out an exasperated breath and fidget with my ring instead. This seems to be less distracting and I finish the story without more silent prompts.
Alana folds me into her embrace when I finish. “Oh, honey. You’ve both been through so much.”
I break away. “You should meet the team,” I say, changing the subject as I swallow the sadness and tears. I lead her over and introduce her to Coach and the team.
“Thank you for being here, Coach,” she says, sitting next to him. Dad settles in on the other side of her.
“I’m glad to help. They may need more information from you later than what we keep