Page 89 of Rain Delay

“I got the run though, didn’t I?” I wheezed, wincing as my other foot knocked into my ankle as we walked back to the steps of the dugout.

I hobbled down the steps, looking over at Coach, who cornered me with a towel in his hand.

“That’s it for you tonight, Mitchell. We’re putting in Benson. Don’t even try to argue with me.”

“We need the win,” I said, leaning against the wall.

“We got the lead because of you,” Coach said, his expression softening. “Get into the tunnel and let the damn medical staff treat your ankle. I need you for the rest of this stretch, kid.”

I sigh in defeat. I couldn’t fight him this time. I was done for the night. If I would’ve pushed, there’s no telling how long I could’ve put myself out for. For once, I made the right call with listening to my body and listening to Coach.

There was a part of me that felt like I was letting the team down – That’s expected. I was a leader, and leaders didn’t quit. The feeling would fade away in a little while, but for the meantime, it sat the forefront of my mind.

I made my way to the medical room with one of the trainers, trying not to put a lot of weight on my ankle as we walked down the hallway.

Before the trainer could even get my shoe off, the door swung open.

“I literally work for the team,” Eliana says as she flashes her credentials at the security guard that stood by the entrance.

She stood there, breathing hard, her camera bag still slung over her shoulder. I prepared myself for the lecture I knew was coming. Something about how reckless and idiotic I was for even considering finishing the game.

She walked straight to the table where I sat, ignoring the trainer. She looked at my face, sweat dripping down my jaw, and then looked my swollen, nasty look ankle that was practically spilling out of my cleat.

“You’re a fucking idiot,” she says quietly, her voice trembling. “You’re so god damn stubborn, Wyatt. You realize you could’ve really hurt yourself out there?”

I smile small at her. “I scored, didn’t I?” I ask, looking up at her. Her face said anything but amusement.

“I’m going to grab the portable x-ray machine, Wyatt. Just to be safe,” the trainer says before stepping out of the room.

“Eliana –”

“Don’t you dare ‘Eliana’ me, Wyatt,” she snapped, stepping closer until she was right at the edge of the table. “I watched you on that bag. I watched you look over at the dugout and wave them off like you’re some sort of superhuman. Do you have any idea how painful it is to watch the man you love get injured again and then watch him limp across third base because he’s trying to act like he’s the man of goddamn steel?”

“I actually wouldn’t compare myself to Superman; that would be an insult to Batman, and I can’t disrespect Bruce Wayne like that.” I correct her, looking as her nostrils flared. “I needed to get the run, El,” my voice drops. “I couldn’t let the team down.”

“Wyatt, I don’t give a shit about the runs or scoring. I care about your health,” she took a deep breath. “You need to take better care of your body…”

“I’m going to be fine, babe. I needed to get the run for the team. We needed the lead.”

“You could’ve benched yourself for the rest of the season, then what? What can you do from the bench, Wyatt?” She shakes her head, her hand resting on my shoulder. “And I bet you tried to argue with your coach too about it.”

I shook my head. “I actually didn’t,” I mutter. “I let him take me out. Benson needed his shot to play, so I gave it to him.” I put my hands on her hips. “It’s just a twist. I’ve had worse. I literally had a facial fracture.”

“Wyatt, I swear to god, if it’s broken…”

“El, I’d know if it was broken. This isn’t broken.”

I caught her chin, tilted her face up, and kissed her. “I’m sorry,” I muttered against her lips. “Sorry I scared you.”

“You just wanted another excuse for me to be your nurse again,” she rolls her eyes, a laugh escaping her lips.

“Can you wear the little outfit this time?”

She hits my arm. “Watch it. Or I’ll hurt the other ankle too, and then you’re really fucked.”

Chapter 33

Eliana