25– Gabrielle

“Good news,” the doctor said, closing the medical bag at her feet. “It’s not broken.”

The breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding escaped me.

“But he’s so heavily bruised that I’m tempted to ask what happened.” Her eyes flicked briefly toward the bedroom. “But because my discretion was requested, I’ll not ask.”

I gave her a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

“I also want to advise against playing tomorrow.” She smiled back at me. “But Mr. Alvarez doesn’t exactly look like a man who can be reasoned with.”

A reluctant smile tugged at my lips.

That was one way to put it.

“So, in the end, I can only provide the best treatment I can in such a short amount of time and hope for the best outcome.” She picked up the small tube of ointment she’d prescribed and handed it to me. “Make sure he takes the painkillers. And massage his ribs with the ointment every hour.”

“Okay.” I nodded. “Got it.”

“And make sure he gets enough rest. It’ll help his body heal itself at least.”

“Alright.” I nodded again, mentally taking note of  every instruction. “Thank you so much for coming in on such short notice.”

“It’s okay.” She slipped her bag handle over her shoulder. “Anything for a client in need.”

I smiled. “I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”

“Sure thing.” She extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gabrielle.”

“Likewise.” I shook her hand before walking her toward the door.

“Get some sleep yourself,” she added as she stepped into the hallway. “You’re no use to him if you’re exhausted too.”

I blinked. “Right.”

The doctor gave me one last knowing look before disappearing down the hallway.

I closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a second. Then I exhaled.

At least Kayden’s ribs weren’t broken.

That was something.

I headed back to the bedroom but froze the moment I stepped in. Kayden was already getting dressed. He had pulled on a pair of dark sweatpants and was struggling into a loose black T-shirt, carefully maneuvering it over his head to avoid aggravating his ribs.

My relief evaporated. “Why are you getting up?”

He glanced at me as though I’d asked the most ridiculous question in the world. “You expect me to lie down all day?”

“Yes.” I walked toward him. “If that’s what is necessary for your recovery.”

He gave me a disinterested look. “I don’t think I can recover in less than twenty-four hours, Gabrielle.”

“You may not be able to recover fully, but at least you’ll be well-rested and steady enough to get on the rink.”

“Yeah.” He tugged the hem of his shirt down. “Whatever.”

My eyes narrowed. “Don’t ‘whatever’ me, Kayden.” I folded my arms, my voice incredulous. “I don’t like the attitude. Especially not when I’m breaking my back trying to—”

“There you go again.” He turned toward me.“Don’t force me to act like you want, Gabrielle. I never asked you to be here, and I didn’t ask for your help.”

“See what I’m talking about?” I threw my hands up, heat spreading up my spine.  “You never make anything easy for me.”

“Yeah?” His laugh was humorless. “Well, newsflash, Gabrielle, life isn’t fucking roses for me either.”

The words hung between us.

For a second, I couldn’t think of anything to say. I simply stood there, watching his chest rise and fall beneath the thin fabric of his shirt.

I could have snapped back.

I could have reminded him that I wasn’t the one who had beat him down and put him in this situation. 

I could have told him that if he wanted to act like an ungrateful asshole, he could take care of himself.

But then I knew that would be crossing the line. I remembered his father. The sound of that man’s voice. The way he’d looked at Kayden.

The violence.

The bruises that now covered Kayden’s body.

And suddenly, the anger drained out of me.

Kayden wasn’t okay.

Maybe he didn’t know how to be okay.

And maybe this was how he’d learned to survive—by pretending nothing hurt until it became impossible to pretend anymore.

I shook my head, letting out a slow breath. “Okay.”

His brows furrowed.

I turned away before he could read too much into my expression.

“I’m calling room service. What are you in the mood for?”

“I’m not hungry,” he responded, his voice wavering, a tell that I had caught him off guard.

“You have to eat, Kayden.”

“I don’t have an appetite.”

“You have a game tomorrow.” I walked toward the sitting area and reached for my phone. “And I’m pretty sure you haven’t had anything substantial since yesterday. Plus, you need to eat before taking your medication.”

“Gabrielle—”

“This isn’t a question of what you want right now.”

“Gabrielle, don’t you get it?” His voice was quieter now, but somehow more strained. “I can’t swallow food right now. I’m not in the mood.”

I turned around to meet his gaze. I studied him for a moment. “I asked this question before, Kayden, and I’m asking again—Do you have an eating disorder?”

His eyebrows shot up. “No.”

“Good.” I nodded. “Because you’re eating. If I have to force-feed you myself, I’ll do it. But as long as I’m here, I will not let you continue down this path of self-destruction.”

For a moment, he said nothing. Then a chuckle escaped him. It was low and bitter. “Self-destruction?” His eyes narrowed. “Me?”

“That is what I said.”

The amusement disappeared from his face and he prowled forward, closing the distance between us. He stopped when he was toe to toe with me and just stood there, staring down at me with an expression I couldn’t understand. 

His chest rose slowly, but the next breath came sharper, heavier. I watched the muscle in his jaw jump once, and again, as though he were physically grinding down whatever he wanted to say. 

His eyes drilled into mine, and suddenly I was painfully aware of how close we were standing. 

Close enough that I could feel the warmth coming off his body. Close enough that if either of us moved even slightly, there wouldn’t be much space left between us.

Without uttering a single word, Kayden made a beeline for the door.

“Oh, absolutely not.” I hurried after him and caught his wrist just before his fingers reached the door handle.

His skin was warm beneath my fingers.

His wrist was so much thicker than my hand that my fingers barely made it around it, but I tightened my grip anyway.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I spat.

His gaze moved from my face to my fingers around his wrist and back up to my face. “I’m going to hang out with my teammates.”

“Why?”

His brows furrowed. “Because that’s what we do.”

“Not today.”

His expression hardened. “What?”

“Not today, Kayden.” I stepped in front of him. “You’re not going to party tonight. You’re not having any alcohol while you’re in this state. So get back into bed.”

His eyes narrowed. “Or what?”

“Do you want me to call your coach and tell him you got yourself into a terrible fight that left you bruised all over? You know exactly what he’ll have to say about it, don’t you?”

“You won’t do that, Gabrielle.”

“Try me.” I released his wrist. “Walk out that door and watch me make sure you’re benched for the entire season.”

“Gabrielle—”

“Get back into bed, Kayden and stop fucking stressing me.”

“You’re so fucking ruthless.”

“I’m your girlfriend, and I’m making sure that you know that.” I smiled sweetly. “It doesn’t matter what you do, Kayden, but I’ll always win.”