#Fam: A Ten Years Later Novella (Hashtag #9)

Chapter 5

5

Rimmel

Pancake Sunday was a thing in this family, but so was football Sunday. Especially when Romeo and Braeden were at away games and we couldn’t be there to support them.

I still loved going to Romeo’s games, but all the kids except Andi were in school this year. That made traveling hard because we liked to stick to somewhat of a routine with them. With London in kindergarten, Asher in second grade, and Blue in third, it was quite busy.

The Knights were playing in Buffalo this weekend, and snow was blowing around the field as the game went on. We all watched via the large screen in the living room, the coffee table covered in snacks and drinks. Blankets covered the couches and chairs, and bean bags dotted the floor.

“This has been a tough game,” Ivy murmured. “My stomach is in knots.”

I made a sound of agreement. “There does seem to be a lot of tension on the field.” I worried, glancing at the screen and hoping for a shot of my husband.

“It’s because the season is winding down. Getting close to the playoffs,” Trent explained.

“Daddy!” London yelled, clapping as Romeo flashed onscreen. He was on the sidelines with a large coat wrapped around him. He was talking with the coach, nodding at something the man was saying from behind his clipboard.

“There he is.” I agreed, drinking in the sight of him. It felt like forever since I’d seen him last.

“Does anyone want anything from the kitchen?” Drew asked, heading behind the couch.

“No thanks,” I called as the players ran out on the field.

“I need help, Mommy,” Asher said, coming over to hand me a pack of fruit snacks that he was struggling to open.

I reached for them, glancing down to rip the top.

Ivy gasped. “No.” The protest ripped out of her in such a painful way my head snapped up.

I stared at the screen, noting the way people were converging on a player on the field.

“Drew!” Ivy yelled. “Drew!”

The replay flashed across the screen, which showed Braeden taking a hard hit and going down and several other players landing on top of him.

Gasping, I stood as Drew rushed in from the kitchen.

“Ives?”

She pointed to the TV. “He’s not getting up,” she croaked.

“What happened to Daddy?” Nova asked, abandoning her toys to stare.

Team doctors and players surrounded Braeden who was still down. My heart started thumping in my throat, stomach twisting as Ivy nearly fell over the coffee table trying to get closer to the TV.

Drew cursed beneath his breath and went to her side, slipping his arm around his sister’s waist. “I’m sure he’s fine. Probably just stunned.”

“What’s stunned?” Jax asked.

“Surprised,” Trent explained.

Romeo jogged across the field, everyone cutting a path for him to step right up. As they cleared, we saw Braeden lying on the ground.

A low sob ripped from Ivy.

“Is Daddy hurt?” Nova asked and started to cry.

Romeo moved right in and knelt beside Braeden, his helmet discarded to the side.

Hearing his sister so upset, Jax started to cry too.

Drew picked up Nova, rubbing her back. Jax clutched Ivy, hugging around her waist.

Andi started crying, and Trent picked her up, then moved to my side.

“Why isn’t he getting up?” I worried my lower lip.

“They’re probably making him lie still.” Trent assured us.

“You think so?” Ivy asked, looking over her shoulder. Tears shimmered in her eyes.

“Give them a minute.”

A moment later, a cart drove out onto the field, and Romeo lifted Braeden to his feet. Well, foot. All of his weight was balanced on one leg, Braeden’s arm draped over Romeo’s wide shoulders.

His face was red, but he was alert.

“He’s up!” Ivy yelled. “He’s up!”

He was loaded onto the cart, legs spread out in front of him. He looked massive and unbreakable sitting there with all his equipment on. But the way they were stabilizing his leg said different.

“He’s okay.” Ivy assured the kids. “He must have hurt his leg. The doctors will look at him, and he will be okay.”

“I want Daddy!” Nova wailed against Drew’s shoulder.

“Me too,” Jax yelled.

Ivy’s eyes found mine, and worry passed between us.

“I’ll call Romeo’s mother,” I said, and not even seconds later, my phone was ringing.

“Valerie,” I answered right away.

“We saw. We can be there in twenty minutes,” she said instantly.

“You don’t mind?”

“Of course not. That’s what we do,” she said. “Pack a bag. Don’t worry about the kids. We’ll take care of them.”

“Thank you so much.”

I ended the call and noticed Ivy had her cell to her ear. When she pulled it away, she said, “Braeden’s mom will be here in a few minutes.”

Trent glanced up from his phone. “Gamble’s sending his plane. It’ll be here in two hours.”

“I’m going to pack a bag. I’m going to pack something comfortable for Braeden,” Ivy told us.

“I’ll pack one too.” I agreed.

“Where are you going?” Nova wanted to know.

“I’m going to see your daddy. In case he needs a hug.”

Her lower lip trembled a bit, and she glanced back at the screen. Braeden had already been taken off the field.

“I want to come too.”

“Me too,” Jax said.

All the kids started saying they wanted to come.

Ivy’s phone started ringing. She nearly dropped it in her haste to answer. “Braeden?” she yelled into the line.

Her shoulders slumped. “Oh, Dr. Brach,” she said. It took a moment for her brain to catch up and realize that Dr. Brach was one of the Knights physicians. The second she did, she was white-knuckling the phone. “How is my husband?”

I tripped over my own feet as I rushed to her side, almost falling if Trent hadn’t caught me with his free arm.

“Be careful,” he warned as I rushed to Ivy.

She angled the phone so I could listen, and we smashed our heads together.

“Mrs. Walker. I have Braeden here. He requested I call you.”

Ivy made a sound, and then Braeden’s voice filled the line. “Baby.”

“Braeden! Oh my god! Are you okay? Are you hurt? You lay there for so long!”

“Breathe,” he said, and Ivy sucked in a deep breath.

“You too, sis.”

I didn’t even question how he knew I was listening; I just did what he said.

“I can’t talk long, but I knew you were probably freaking out.”

“As we should!” Ivy interrupted. “That was a hard hit. Those players should be punished!”

Braeden laughed, and some of the worst worry coiling in my stomach unclenched. I reached up and grabbed Ivy’s wrist, silently offering support.

“I’m fine.” He assured her, but he didn’t sound as confident and big-headed as usual.

“Don’t you lie to us, Braeden James,” we both scolded at the same time.

“Tag-teaming me. Damn. A busted knee and a busted ego.”

“What’s wrong with your knee?” she exclaimed.

“I want my daddy!” Nova cried, rushing over to push between us. “Daddy!”

“The kids saw?” he asked, voice subdued.

“Yes.”

“Put me on speaker.”

“Are you sure?” Ivy asked, voice trembling.

“I’m sure, baby.”

She tapped the screen.

“Hey, munchkins.” Braeden’s voice filled the room. “I’m just calling to let you know I’m all good. I took a hit, but you know that’s part of my job.”

“Did you hit your head?” Nova worried.

“No, I was wearing my helmet. I hurt my knee.”

“Does it hurt?” Jax asked.

“A little, but I got doc here fixing me up.”

“Braeden…” Ivy fretted.

“I gotta go finish up with the doctor, but I wanted you guys to know not to be worried. Don’t be scared, okay? I’m good. And I’ll call you back later tonight.”

After a round of I-love-yous from all the kids, Ivy took the phone off speaker and pushed it to her ear. “I’m coming.”

There was a short pause, and she shook her head. “I’m coming, Braeden. Tell me where.” After another pause, she said, “We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

He said something, and her lower lip wobbled. She nodded, then held the phone out to Trent.

He took it. “Hey,” he said, then made a bunch of grunts and noises.

I glared at him because it told me nothing. He thought it was funny and winked.

After a moment, he rubbed a hand over his face. “Hang in there.”

As he was handing the phone back to Ivy, I snatched it. “I love you, BBFL.”

“Back at ya, tutor girl.”

“See you soon,” I echoed and gave the phone to Ivy.

She said a few more things and then ended the call, dashing the tears from her eyes before they fell.

Forcing a smile, she took in the kids. “See! He’s okay.”

The kids seemed much better, and I wished it were that easy to feel reassured. I heard the pain masked in my brother’s voice, though. I knew he was worse than he let on.

Trent and Drew were having some silent conversation with just their eyes, and my stare went back to the TV, hoping to see Romeo. But the game was over.

“That was fast,” I murmured.

“Romeo fired a touchdown into the endzone, and with so little time on the clock left for the other team to catch up, they took a knee on the extra point,” Drew explained.

I nodded.

Asher tugged on my hoodie, and I glanced down. “Is Daddy okay?”

I knelt in front of him. “Oh yes, Daddy is fine.”

“Who wants a cookie?” Drew asked.

All the kids jumped up and raced into the kitchen.

When they were gone, we looked at Trent.

“They think it’s an ACL tear.” He informed us.

Ivy pressed a hand over her mouth.

“Possibly a meniscus tear alongside it. But they won’t be sure until he gets to the hospital.”

The tears Ivy had been holding back fell over, streaking her cheeks. My own eyes welled, threatening to spill over.

“What does that mean exactly, Trent?” I asked, even though I was afraid I knew.

“ If it’s a tear, he’s gonna be out the rest of the season. Probably most of next season too.”

“He needs surgery,” Ivy said.

Trent hesitated. “Probably.”

“I’m going to pack,” Ivy said, starting to rush from the room.

Trent followed, gently taking her arm and pulling her around. “It’s not life-threatening. He’s gonna be okay.” His voice was gentle.

Ivy melted against Trent’s chest, her sob muffled. He hugged her tight, stroking the back of her blond head. “I can’t get the image of him just lying there out of my head,” she said.

I nodded, silently agreeing. It was haunting me too.

“C’mon, Ives. Let’s go pack,” Drew said, appearing to wrap his arm around his sister and direct them to the stairs.

“Can you listen for Romeo’s parents?” Drew asked Trent.

“Of course.”

“Caroline too,” Ivy added, speaking of Braeden’s mom.

“I’ll let everyone in.” Trent promised. “And I’ll keep the kids busy.”

“I’ll help.”

We all swung around, surprised to see Travis standing quietly against the wall. His dark eyes were wide, but his face was calm.

“Son,” Trent said, going to him. “I thought you were in the kitchen.”

He gave a single-shoulder shrug. “I wanted to know about Uncle Braeden.”

“Oh, honey,” Ivy said, pulling away from Drew to hug her nephew. “He’s going to be fine. I’m just worried.”

He nodded. “I know.”

Trent cupped the back of his head. “It’s okay to be worried,” he told him. “Being worried about family is natural.”

Sometimes Travis had issues expressing his emotions. He bottled up a lot inside. Got angry easily. We knew it was because of the early years of his life. I’d also noticed that my oldest nephew was very empathetic. He felt deeply. It didn’t surprise me that he snuck back in here to know the full details about Braeden.

Travis nodded. “He’ll be okay, though?” he asked, seeking out Trent for reassurance.

Trent gave it instantly. “Yeah. I talked to him. He just needs a few X-rays, some ice, and probably surgery, but it’s routine. He’s healthy and strong. He’ll be home by the end of the week.”

Travis nodded.

“I really need to go pack.” Ivy worried.

“I’ll come too.” I agreed.

“You want me to hang with you and Dad for a bit?” Drew asked his son.

“I’m good. Go with Aunt Ivy,” Travis replied.

“If you need me, I’ll be in your aunt’s closet.” Drew made a face. “If I’m not back in twenty minutes, send a search party.”

Travis laughed.

On our way up the stairs, Ivy reached for my hand, and I gave hers a squeeze. It wasn’t the first time one of our guys had been injured, but something about this time felt different.