Page 15 of We're All Liars
Walking off the track before the game is finished, I head to the locker room and find Cade in the medical room on the exam table. The trainer presses, turns, and examines Cade’s knee before concluding, “I don’t think it’s anything to worry about, but for everyone’s peace of mind, I want you to go over to the ER and have it checked out.”
“No, I’m fine.” He stands and doesn’t quite wince, but I can see he’s not fully putting his weight on it.
“We’re going,” I tell Cade as they both look at me.
There’s a slight smirk on Cade’s lips as he says, “Yes ma’am.”
I ignore it for now and step beside him to wrap his arm over my shoulder. The trainer gets on his other side, and Cade complains about not needing help, but neither of us listen and just get him outside. When he drops into my passenger seat, I hear the sharp intake of breath between his teeth. “Yeah. You’re totally good,” I mock before driving off.
“I am.” He exhales. “It’s a little sore, but it’s worth the pain since you’re worried about me.”
“No. I need you intact to play. That’s all this is about.”
“Okay.” He chuckles, not buying it but thankfully drops it.
I drop him off at the ER doors, then park the car and head inside. After a long wait in the lobby, we’re in the back waiting once again for the results of an MRI and a few X-rays.
One of the nurses peeks in the room. “He’s in here,” she tells someone in the hallway.
And Dad walks in. He completely ignores me and goes straight to Cade. “Any news?”
“No. But it feels fine.”
Even if it didn’t, he wouldn’t admit it.
“Just keep me in the loop,” Dad tells him before walking out of the room.
He was only here a minute, but it was enough to make me want to puke. I haven’t seen him much around the house, and it’s been nice. Mom actually seems happier since Dad has been MIA around the house while she just keeps saying he’s sleeping elsewhere for a little while.
Shifting in the chair, I cross my legs the opposite way to unstick my thighs from the plastic.
“You don’t have to stay.” Cade pauses as I look to him. “But I want you to.”
“It’s nothing.” I drop my head back as I cross my arms. My cheer uniform is giving me little coverage, and the hospital is freezing. He lets out a snicker, causing me to open my eyes and look at his smirking face. “Are you aware that it’s still an option to stab you in the shoulder?”
“Well, at least we’re at the hospital already,” he teases, because we both know I won’t stab him, not right now anyways.
My hands cling to my biceps harder as I stare at the smiling moron who tells me, “Come over here. I’ll warm you up.”
His suggestive remark annoys me because he’s all talk. Even in the private room, he won’t risk someone walking in. But I do want to warm up and call his bluff. Standing, I move beside the bed and carefully climb onto his lap, my knees pressing into the hospital bed as I straddle him, my arms resting on his shoulders. “I’m waiting.”
The smile that twists on his mouth surprises me more than his hands pulling me closer as his lips move to mine. He kisses me impatiently, without hesitation, completely different than I’d imagined he would, considering where we are.
I don’t know how long we’ve been dry humping when I hear the door open and a loud throat clearing. “Looks like I’m interrupting.” The doctor stops near the foot of the bed.
Leaning back, I glance down between Cade and me before saying, “Just making sure his dick still works. It’s all clear, Doctor.”
“Morgan,” Cade fusses under his breath, but he doesn’t immediately release me as I get off his lap and sit on the bed beside him.
“Everything came back good. You might have some tenderness and should stay off of it for a few days, but you should be as good as new in a week or two.”
“I have practice and a game next week.”
“That’s what the backup quarterback is for.” The doctor points to Cade. “Rest it.”
The nurse who brought my dad to the room enters a few seconds after the doctor leaves. “I’ll let you know as soon as the discharge paperwork is ready.”
Cade stays silent, his fist pushing into the bed, eyes on the floor. “I can’t miss the game.”