Page 51 of Coming Home
“I don’t think your medial collateral ligament is torn completely, but I do think you most likely have a partial tear. I’d need to get an MRI to confirm my suspicions.”
“What does that mean for him?” Owen’s been pacing the room like a concerned father since Leo and Cord helped me onto the table.
“It means he’s going to have to take it easy. You’re going to wear a knee brace that’s going to prevent you from injuring your ligament any further. If it tears completely, it could be over a year before you heal and you might need surgery. You’ll use crutches to take any weight off your knee at least for the next week or two. And you’re going to ice it for twenty minutes on, one hour off.”
“Seriously? That’s so much ice,” I groan.
“I don’t really give a shit. Not only am I one of the team doctors, but I'm also your uncle. Your mother won't hesitate to cut off my balls if she finds out I didn’t give you the best recommendations possible.”
“Maybe we should ask Brent.” I smile smugly at Jesse. “A second opinion is always a good idea.”
“Go ahead.” Jesse folds his arms over his chest and stares at me with a challenge in his eyes. “And when you still can't walk the first week of the season, you’ll be crying on my doorstep, begging me to help you. I'm the best orthopedic doctor in the state. I can't make you listen to me, but I suggest you do.”
“He’s obviously going to listen.” Charlie rolls her eyes.
“No one can force him to do what I'm saying. He lives alone.” A smirk tugs on the corner of Jesse’s lips, but he hides it before Charlie can see it. “Once he leaves here, I can't control what happens.”
“Well, I can,” she says confidently.
“What are you talking about?” Jesse stares at her like she’s crazy and I wonder if he’s carefully orchestrated this since he walked through the door.
“I'm moving in with him. He offered me a place to stay before and I turned him down. Now, I'm taking him up on his offer. I can help him rehab, make sure he takes care of himself, and make sure he ices his knee.”
“You don’t need to do that. I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself,” I say softly.
As much as I’d love to have Charlie in my house, I don’t want her there if she doesn’t want to be. I don’t want her to make this move just because she pities me and thinks I need help.
“I’ll drive you to your house this afternoon, then go home to grab a bag. You can order us something for dinner.”
Ok. I guess I have a new roommate whether I like it or not.
Chapter 23
Charlie
“Get in my office. I want to have a meeting with Danny and Stubbs. I want you there for it,” Owen mutters under his breath as he places his hand on my lower back and leads me in the direction of his office.
“Why do you want me there? Shouldn’t this be between the three of you?”
“Well, normally I’d have Gary with us, but since he isn't here and you’re going to be his replacement, welcome to the club,” he grinds out through clenched teeth. He’s been on edge since Wyatt got hurt and I can't blame him. He could possibly lose one of his best players.
“I don’t understand what’s going on.” I stop walking, making Owen frown down at me. “Why would Gary be there?”
“You were there with me, Charlie. You saw what I saw and we both know that wasn’t an accident. I also know he’s made countless disrespectful comments about you. I pulled Wyatt asideand asked what happened when Stubbs was up at bat and he told me everything. This isn't good for Stubbs. Not at all.”
I nod my head and continue walking. I want nothing to do with being a part of this meeting, but if I want the head physical therapist position, I need to take on more responsibilities.
As soon as I enter the room, Danny stands and offers me his chair. Owen shakes his head and points to his high back leather chair. I slowly lower myself into it, happy to have an entire desk between Stubbs and me. If I had taken Danny’s chair, I’d be right next to him.
Owen stands at my side, his posture stiff and ready for a fight. I have no doubt Owen made me sit here on purpose. He doesn’t trust Stubbs near me and he’s going to protect me no matter what.
My heart beats a little faster as I take in the anger radiating off of each man in the room. This is a huge office, but it feels like it’s the size of a janitor’s closet with the tension filling the air.
“I’m cutting straight to the point. You’re benched for the foreseeable future. If you give me one more reason to get pissed off, I'm releasing you from your contract and you’ll be lucky if another team snatches you up.”
“You can’t do that!” Stubbs roars as he leaps out of his chair with his fists clenched at his sides.
“Listen to me you little shit! You were aiming for Everson’s knee. I watched you jump into the air and aim your feet for his knee rightbefore you reached home plate. There was no reason for you to do that.”