Page 160 of Broken Saint

“How is he?” I ask, unable to cope with the suspense.

“Due to a hard collision on the field, Colton suffered from commotio cordis.”

“Please explain in a way we understand,” Peyton begs.

“S-sorry. Due to a blunt blow to the chest, Colton suffered from a cardiac arrest on the field.”

“Oh my god,” I sob, my hand lifting to cover my mouth.

His heart stopped.

The man I love…the only man I’ve ever loved…his heart just…stopped.

“Thanks to the fast actions of the medical team and the paramedics, I’m pleased to say that Colton’s heart was restarted on the field.”

The tears filling my eyes finally spill over again as I grasp onto every bit of hope in the doctor’s words.

“He’s received further treatment here from my team, and I’m happy to say that he’s now stable.”

A loud sob erupts from my throat and I turn in West’s arms and bury my face into his chest.

His arms tighten around me as he holds me to him.

Voices float around me, I assume as the doctor continues to explain Colt’s condition, but I’ve heard all I need to right now.

He’s stable.

He’s alive.

That’s all I need to know.

My knees give out as relief floods me, but West doesn’t let me fall. He just holds me tighter, keeps me together, and is everything I need in his brother’s absence.

“Can we see him?” West asks, his deep, rumbling voice breaking through my daze.

“We’ll let you know when he’s ready for visitors. But it will be strictly immediate family only.”

I can only imagine how much strength it takes an avid football fan to hold strong against the power that the men around me exude.

“We understand,” Brax says. “West and Ella will be by his side the second you allow it.”

“Ella?” the doctor says.

I turn, ready to speak, but West beats me to it.

“Colt’s fiancée,” he explains, the tone of his voice leaving no room for argument. Not that I’m going to do anything that will keep me away from my man.

“Uh…okay, sure. I’ll put your names on the list along with your father.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” West says, one of his arms leaving me so he can shake her hand again. “We appreciate everything you and your team are doing.”

“Please,” she says, glancing around at the guys. “Call me Anna.”

“Thank you, Anna,” Brax says. Through my watery eyes, I watch as he gives her a look I remember all too well.

Thankfully, Anna and the nurse disappear out of the room before anyone gets a chance to say anything. But the second the door closes, I discover that I’m not the only one who clocked it.

“You did not just try hitting on the doctor,” Letty chastises as we all return to our seats.