dreaded discussion out of their way. My heart aches for him and he doesn’t even know yet.
“Can we come in? We have a few things we need to discuss,” Robert says.
I feel so nervous about this inevitable conversation, and I start sweating profusely. Maverick must feel the tension in my hand, but he doesn't even flinch at my sweaty palms. In fact, he tightens his grip on my hand.
Robert starts the conversation. “Maverick we need to discuss your injuries and what they entail.”
I glance at Carol looking at her for any sign that I need to leave the room, and give them some space. She knows what my look means, because she gently shakes her head no. I’m glad she wants me here, it’s where I need to be.
“There’s no easy way to say this except to just say it. Maverick, you had what the doctor’s call a hyper-extended knee. Your knee was put through too much trauma and it will never be the same again. You will probably always have knee issues from here on out, and playing would definitely make it worse. You will not be able to play football again. . . It could hyper-extend again at any time.”
Maverick lets go of my hand and brushes it through his hair messing it in the process. Even though he’s in a hospital gown and cut and bruised, I can't help but marvel at my hot as sin boyfriend.
I’m missing the warmth of his hand in mine, until he says, “Charlie I need to speak to my parents and I need you to go home.”
An instant chill runs right through me and I immediately fear the worst.
I feel so hurt. I can see the pain in his eyes and I knew he would be devastated when he was told about the extent of his injury. I truly did, but I never imagined that he would instantly try to push me away.
“Are you sure?” I whisper.
He turns his head away so he’s not looking at me and I receive his clipped conformation, which is all I need to confirm my fear.
Be it in a whispered hush, but none the less I hear it. “Yes.”
I know he’s hurting, but surely he doesn't mean this? I turn to catch the eye of his parents and see the same pain mirrored across their faces. I can't help it. I flee the room with tears streaking down my face and a slowly breaking heart.
Chapter 31-Charlie
I run out of his room as fast as I can through the hospital, all the while watching people watch me like a crazy person or better yet, like an escaped crazy person.
I don’t care, I just know I need out of there . I run to the hospital parking lot, where my beloved Lexie is sitting. Knowing my Jeep is my only safe haven. I pull the door open and plop down in the driver's seat, all the while crying. I yank my iPod out of my bag and shove my ear buds in. I sit in the hospital parking lot and listen over and over to the same song. I'm not ready to leave.
There’s no way I am ready for the tongue lashing I’ll be receiving when I get home. I don’t doubt that my dad will soon be there and that my mom will have told him what transpired between us. Something would need to give. I can’t wait to turn 18 so I can just leave this place. I can’t take it anymore.
I didn’t doubt how Maverick felt about me but I would be lying if his rejection of me didn’t jack with my already poor self-esteem. Deep down I knew his reaction wasn’t about me, but when you already have a not so good view of yourself, it’s very easy to start doubting things again.
When I finally glance at my phone to check the time, I see that two hours have already passed. I’m scared as hell about leaving and heading to the dreaded place I call home. It’s like walking into a death trap. You know it’s going to be bad, but it’s the unexpected you have to worry about. I decide to stop delaying the inevitable and head home.
The minute I pull into the driveway my heart begins beating a million miles a minute. Oh, who am I kidding, it started the minute I left the hospital parking lot to come home.
I mentally prepare myself for the fight that I know is about