Butcher

Chapter 22

22

BUTCHER

I found the bay Kaylee was in. She was lying in the hospital bed, her face streaked with tears. Her eyes locked onto mine, but hers were red-rimmed, reflecting the exhaustion and the ache of what she had just been through.

“Hey,” I said softly, my heart breaking at the sight of her. I wanted to take away all of her pain.

“Hi,” she murmured, her voice cracking. I could see the effort it took for her to hold back more tears.

I sat down gently on the edge of her bed, taking her hand in mine. “I’m here,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

She nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Levi’s mom told you?”

“Yeah, sweetness, but we don’t know everything.”

A tear broke free and slid down her cheek, and I brushed it away as she said, “I didn’t know I was pregnant.”

I was relieved to know she hadn’t been hiding the pregnancy from us, but how didn’t she know? I suppose I’d heard of women not knowing they were pregnant, but I didn’t understand how that could be possible. “Okay. That’s okay. Do the docs know why you lost it?”

“They aren’t sure but said it’s more common than people realize.”

“Oh wow. And how are you feeling?” I rubbed the back of her hand with my thumb.

“Still cramping a bit, but the doctor believes I uh … passed everything right after I got here.” She glanced down to see my broken knuckles. “What happened to your hand?”

I shrugged slightly. “All part of the game.”

“You got into a fight?”

I nodded. “Yeah, but the other guy looks worse. Broke his nose.”

Kaylee’s eyes widened. “You did?”

I tucked a piece of her light brown hair behind her ear. “You don’t need to worry about that. Like I said, part of the game.”

“I know you guys fight on the ice, but I’ve never seen your knuckles this bad.”

I lifted a shoulder and winced a little. It was a little sore from being hit into the boards way too many times tonight but nothing a little ibuprofen wouldn’t fix later. “Had a lot to get out with my fists.”

She stared at me for a beat and then asked, “Where’s Levi?”

I took a deep breath. “He’s out there talking to his mom. She had some … questions .”

Kaylee’s eyes widened. “About us?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”

She exhaled slowly. “I suppose, given what happened today, she should know.”

“Yeah, but I honestly thought his parents would be the last people he’d tell, since it sounded likely his dad would be less than supportive.”

“Me too.”

We sat in silence for a few seconds before she said, “Tonight was scary, Austin. I didn’t know I was pregnant and now … Now I don’t know how I’m feeling.”

I leaned in closer, brushing a kiss on her temple. I didn’t know how I was feeling either and I shoved that thought aside, putting all of my focus on her since she’d been through a lot tonight. “However you’re feeling, you’ve got me and Levi to help get you through it.”

She nodded, her lips trembling as she fought back more tears. “Thank you.”

I stroked her hair gently, my heart aching at the vulnerability she displayed. “Of course. We love you so much.”

The curtain to her bay slid open slightly, and I turned to see Levi peeking his head in. “How are you holding up, sweetheart?”

There wasn’t a nurse yelling at him about only one visitor being allowed, so I stood and moved out of the way to let him come closer. My phone started to buzz in my pocket and when I pulled it out, I saw it was Coach. I showed the screen to Levi. He nodded and then I stepped down the hall to answer the call.

“Hey, Coach. Sorry, we took off like that.”

“I talked to Coop. He explained the situation.”

“Okay.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“I understand what is happening—well, most of it—but we need you both in Chicago.”

“I know. We’ll ….” I hesitated. I was going to tell him Levi and I would be there, but would we? Kaylee was more important, but the team did need us. “We’re still trying to figure things out. I need to talk to Lev—Sexton.”

“Let me know. Plane leaves at nine.”

“Will do.”

I ended the call just as a text came in:

Coop: I’m here in the waiting room. How is she?

As I typed out a response, a nurse came around the corner and entered Kaylee’s bay. I moved closer so I could hear.

“Here are your discharge papers, Kaylee. They include everything the doctor already went over with you,” the female nurse stated. “You should try not to overdo it and get some rest at home.”

“Home is a hotel room right now. Is it safe for me to fly?” Kaylee asked.

“Oh,” the nurse said. “That’s right. You live in Boston.”

“Yeah, but I’m not going home. We’re going to Chicago first,” Kaylee explained.

It sounded as though Kaylee was up to continue the trip. Coach would be happy.

“Let me check with the doctor.” The nurse stepped out, and I moved into the small area when her back was to me.

“Everything good with Coach?” Levi queried.

“He just wants to make sure we’re in Chicago.” Levi nodded, and I asked him a question, “And your mom?”

He lifted a shoulder. “She left.”

“Shit,” I breathed. “That’s not good.”

He swallowed. “Yeah, but what can I do?”

I squeezed his shoulder. “Just give her time. She may come around.”

The nurse returned, tilted her head slightly as if she was going to say something to me about being in the space too but instead said to Kaylee, “Dr. Allen said it’s probably best to return home if you can just in case the bleeding and cramping intensify or if there are any complications.”

“Complications? But it’s safe for her to fly back to Boston?” I pressed.

“He wasn’t too concerned, but it’s best to get home and take it easy. Also, you should follow up with your doctor when you get to Boston,” the nurse explained.

“Let’s get you back to the hotel and then we’ll change your flight to get you home tomorrow,” Levi stated.

“Okay.” Kaylee got out of the bed slowly. “Just need to change back into my clothes first.”

Levi pulled her into his arms. “I’ll order a car to take us back to the hotel while you get dressed.”

“Coop is here too,” I stated. “Maybe we need to get something big enough for all of us.”

“I should go find my mom too.” Levi sighed.

“Go do that and we’ll meet you out there.” I hooked my thumb toward the waiting room.

Levi kissed the top of her head and then left the small makeshift room.

I handed Kaylee the plastic bag with her clothes in it and as she pulled out her jeans, she held them up. They were covered in blood around the crotch and imagining again what she went through made my throat tighten.

“I can’t wear these.” She blew out a breath.

“I should have some extra sweats in here.” I unzipped my duffle. “But they might be a little long on you.”

“Better than nothing.”

I pulled out not only the sweatpants but I also had a Bruins sweatshirt too since it was almost the end of December. I wished I had a winter coat for her, but the hoodie would do while we went back to the hotel.

Once she was dressed, the nurse peeked her head in. “Sorry, I just remembered your jeans have blood on them and I was bringing you scrubs to wear, but looks like you’ve got it covered.”

“Yeah, thank you,” Kaylee replied.

The nurse left and I grabbed Kaylee’s hand and led her to the waiting room. Levi and Coop were chatting while Levi’s mother sat off to the side, looking down at her lap.

“Rideshare should be here any minute,” Levi stated as soon as he saw us.

“Good,” I replied, and Coop approached Kaylee.

“How are you doing, Kay?”

She sighed. “As good as I can be. Does Ford know?”

Coop shook his head. “I didn’t want to worry him until I knew what was happening.”

“Okay. I’d like to be the one to tell him. I’ll call him when I get home tomorrow.” She turned to me. “At least I think I can get home tomorrow.”

“We’ll figure it out back at the hotel.”

We headed outside just as a Suburban pulled up.

“That should be ours,” Levi said and walked to the door, confirming it was for us.

We were all quiet during the short drive back. Kaylee sat between me and Levi. I draped my arm across the back of the seat and Levi rested his arm on her leg and knee. When we got to the hotel, his mom opened the passenger door from where she sat in the front and started to rush off. Levi quickly followed.

“Mom. Wait! Where are you going? You don’t even have a hotel room to sleep in.” He tossed me his duffle and then jogged after her. To let them have time alone, I grabbed Kaylee’s hand again and we walked to the elevators with Coop.

“Thank you for coming to the hospital.” Kaylee looked at Coop. “I appreciate it, but you didn’t have to.”

“You’re family. Of course, I came.” He gave her a side hug.

“Thank you and sorry to ask you to keep this from Ford, but I will tell him tomorrow. Promise.”

“I understand.”

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. Levi and his mom were nowhere in sight, but I knew he’d eventually come up to the room. I just hoped he worked it out with her because the thought of him ending things with us because of his parents’ issues made me sick to my stomach. Over the past several months, he hadn’t led me to believe he needed their approval, but that was before he had told her about us. Her walking off and being quiet during our ride was enough to let me know she was not okay with us dating.

Once on our floor, we said goodbye to Coop, and then Kaylee and I walked to our room.

“I’m going to shower first.” Kaylee went to her suitcase as I shut the door behind us.

“Of course. Do you need me to help?”

“I’ll be okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” She nodded.

“All right. Do you want me to find you something to eat?”

“Not really hungry.” She opened her luggage.

“Okay. I’ll be out here if you need me, and I’ll look into changing your flight home.”

Kaylee grabbed the things she needed and then went into the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the quiet room, and not even two minutes later, I could hear what sounded like her crying. I hesitated for a moment at the door and then pushed it open, my gaze falling on her standing under the spray of the shower, her back to me. The water streamed down her body, and she shook with sobs.

Without a word, I stepped inside, my suit sticking to me as I moved into the water. Wrapping my arms around her, I held her close, feeling the tremors of her body against mine.

Her cries grew louder, more ragged, and I could feel my own tears welling up. I buried my face in her damp hair, my tears mingling with the water as I tried to stay strong for her. But I couldn’t. Her weeping was heart-wrenching. I didn’t know what to say, or how to make it better, and all I could do was hold her.