Neutral Zone Trap - Bianca Sommerland Page 0,50
not to worry. I would’ve told him, but I didn’t get a—”
“Shh…” A soft touch, on the back of his hand. That familiar presence. Eyes he’d stared into from his knees, above him, hazy, but close enough he could see the smile in them above the blue medical mask. “I know you would’ve, my sweet man. It’s okay, I know this wasn’t something you could help. Try to rest.”
Checking his chart, the nurse, who’s name tag read simply ‘Amanda’, had a brightness to her tone. “Your partner insisted on seeing you, Braxton. The doctor is allowing it, but he’ll need to keep that mask on whenever he’s here for the next twenty-four hours. He won’t be able to stay overnight tonight, but tomorrow night will be fine.”
The way Ryan tensed made it obvious that he wasn’t thrilled with the idea of leaving at all, but his tone was pleasant when he regarded the nurse. “I appreciate that. I still think I’d be fine just staying up to watch over him.”
“Mhm.” Amanda lowered her dark brows at him, the elastic from the mask leaving red marks on her light brown skin. “But he needs his rest. And so, I suspect, do you, Detective. If you want to be well enough to take care of him, it’s best to reduce any risks.”
“Risks?” Braxton tried to pull his hand away from Ryan’s, but didn’t have the strength to get far. “What’s wrong with me? Am I going to make him sick? Or my team?”
Shaking her head, Amanda jotted a few things on the chart with a pen from her pocket. “No, but several of your teammates who might have shared your water bottles during recent practices will be given a prophylaxis treatment as a precaution.”
It was rare bottle mix ups happened for this exact reason, but not impossible. Braxton winced as he thought of how quick the rookies could be sometimes to grab whatever bottle was closest. “So this is contagious, but only...only certain ways?”
“Yes. Bacterial meningitis tends to spread quickly through dorms and other shared living spaces. It’s very serious, but the doctor said this was caught early, which gives you a better chance at a full recovery.” Amanda checked the line on his IV. “Right now, the most important thing is for you to sleep and let the antibiotics do their work.”
Braxton nodded, relaxing back against the pillows. “How soon will I be able to get back on the ice?”
Amusement shone in Amanda’s eyes as she exchanged a look with Ryan, holding up her hand when he huffed. “Let’s get you through the hard part first. Doctor Davids will consult with the team doctors on your recovery plan, depending on how things go over the next few days. I can say you should be able to go home by the end of the week.”
“Thank you, Amanda.” Braxton’s cheeks heated even as the nurse inclined her head, then left the room. For some reason, it felt like he should be calling her something else. Something more official. But his last nurse had insisted on just using her first name. He licked his dry lips, then turned his attention to Ryan. “Sir...I’m…” His eyes teared again. “I’m sorry, I know I’m being all pathetic, but I’m so glad you’re here. I was so fucking scared.”
Clasping his hand, Ryan reached out with the other to wipe away the tears that spilled down Braxton’s cheeks with his fingertips. “Nothing could’ve kept me away when I found out something was wrong. I hoped I wasn’t overstepping by asking my sister to get in touch with your coach, but at the same time…” He chuckled. “It wouldn’t be the first time one of us used those tactics. Fair play and all.”
The reminder of when Braxton had gotten in touch with Laura so he could talk to Ryan was embarrassing as hell, but it didn’t bother him all that much if these were the results. Just having Ryan close was worth anything he’d have to face next. It was like...like the touch, the voice of the man he’d given his heart to—almost too fast—gave him all the strength he’d ever need.
His brow furrowed as another thought occurred to him. “You weren’t out at work. How did you explain coming all the way here, taking time off—”
“I didn’t have to, I had plenty of personal time off to collect on. And Sloan told me my being here will be kept private as well.” Ryan’s gaze turned serious. “I intend