RECOVERY BEGINS

Olivia's Pov

The medical wing was quiet compared to the chaos of the arena. No chanting, no stomping, no crowd. Just the faint buzz of fluorescent lights and the squeak of sneakers against polished floors. My hands were still shaking when I wheeled Xander into the exam room, Ethan trailing close behind like a shadow.

Xander looked far too relaxed for someone who had just slammed into the boards hard enough to make the arena gasp. He reclined on the exam table like it was a hotel bed, his helmet off, dark hair damp with sweat, that damn smirk already tugging at his mouth.

“You’re enjoying this way too much,” I muttered, grabbing gloves.

He arched a brow. “What’s not to enjoy? I’ve got you fussing over me, Doc. Front row seat, personal hands-on care.”

“Hands-on is right,” I said sharply, adjusting the brace on his knee. “If you move, you’ll make it worse.”

He winced, teeth flashing in a half-grin. “Bossy. Don’t worry, I like that in a woman.”

“God, Xander,” I hissed, tugging the strap tighter.

“Ow! Easy,” he groaned, though the gleam in his eyes told me the pain wasn’t what had him talking. “You’re trying to kill me.”

“If I were, you’d already be dead.”

Ethan cleared his throat, arms crossed as he stood in the corner. “Can you two not flirt while he’s bleeding out?”

“We are not—” I started, horrified.

“Relax, rookie,” Xander cut in, smirking at Ethan. “Your mom just likes to play rough with me.”

“Jesus, Hayes.” I slapped an ice pack against his knee, making him yelp. “Shut up.”

He chuckled, even through the hiss of pain. “Worth it.”

I ignored him and checked his vitals. Strong pulse, steady breathing. He’d live, even if he deserved to suffer.

Ethan moved closer, his eyes darting between us. “Mom, is it serious?”

“It’s an MCL sprain at least,” I said, keeping my voice clinical. “We’ll know more after the MRI. He won’t be skating for a while.”

“A while?” Ethan’s face fell. “We need him.”

“Relax,” Xander said, lifting his head from the table. “I’ll be back before she knows it.”

“No, you won’t,” I snapped. “Not if you want to walk again in ten years.”

He looked right at me, grin widening. “Then I guess you’ll be stuck with me for a while, huh?”

“God help me,” I muttered, pressing harder on the ice pack just to make him squirm.

He groaned, but his eyes stayed locked on mine. “Mean streak. I like it.”

I felt Ethan’s gaze on us again, sharp and suspicious. I tore my eyes away from Xander’s and busied myself with wrapping his knee.

“You know Cassandra’s going to freak,” Xander said suddenly, his tone lighter but edged with something I couldn’t miss.

My hands stilled. “Your fiancée?”

“Yeah. She hates when I get hurt. Not because she cares.” He gave a bitter laugh. “Just because it looks bad for photos.”

Ethan frowned. “Come on, man. She’s worried about you.”

“Sure,” Xander drawled. “She’s worried her dress won’t match my crutches at the next gala.”

“Xander,” I warned, though my heart twisted. His words were too raw to be just jokes.

He looked at me, smirk fading into something sharper. “What? You think she’s going to rush to my bedside? Hold my hand?” He scoffed. “She’ll send her assistant with flowers and a photographer.”

Ethan shifted awkwardly. “She’s not that bad.”

“Right,” Xander muttered. “You keep believing that.”

I swallowed, focusing on the bandage. The way he spoke about Cassandra, the coldness in his voice — it wasn’t for Ethan. It was for me. A message buried in sarcasm: There’s nothing real there.

And I hated that it made my chest tighten.

“Let’s keep this professional,” I said, forcing my tone flat. “You’re injured. That’s what matters.”

“Professional,” he repeated, smirk returning. “That’s what you keep telling yourself.”

My cheeks heated, but I didn’t look up. “Stop talking.”

He leaned back, eyes still on me. “Make me.”

Ethan groaned. “Why do you two always argue like this? It’s like babysitting.”

“Because he doesn’t listen,” I said quickly.

“Because she likes bossing me around,” Xander countered.

“Because you’re impossible,” I shot back.

“Because she secretly loves it,” he finished, eyes glittering.

“Enough,” I snapped, tossing the ice pack in the bin. “You’ll follow my instructions exactly, or I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” His smirk turned wicked. “Tie me down?”

Ethan choked. “Dude!”

My face burned hot. “Out!” I pointed at Ethan.

“Me?” he asked, eyes wide.

“Yes, you,” I said, desperate for space.

He shook his head. “No way. I’m not leaving him alone. You’re not exactly intimidating him into silence.”

“I can handle him,” I argued.

“I know you can,” Xander murmured.

“Shut. Up.” I glared at him.

Ethan ran a hand through his hair. “Look, Mom, just… promise me you’ll keep an eye on him. He needs someone who actually cares if he does something stupid.”

“I don’t—”

“You do,” Ethan cut me off. His voice softened. “He’s family, Mom. You’ve known him forever. Please. Make sure it’s you.”

The words lodged in my throat. I wanted to argue, to say anyone else could handle this, but Xander’s smug grin told me he’d already won.

“See, Doc?” His voice was low, almost tender. “Even your kid wants you all over me.”

“Alexander—”

“What?” He glanced at Ethan, then back at me. “Don’t worry, rookie. Your mom takes good care of me. Best hands in the league.”

“Stop it,” I hissed, my pulse hammering.

Ethan, oblivious, nodded. “Exactly. That’s why she should do it.”

“Ethan—”

He shook his head. “He can’t go back to his place alone. Not like this.”

“Why not?” I demanded.

“Because he’ll push himself, or he’ll hide it if he gets worse. You know he will.” Ethan turned to Xander. “You will, right?”

Xander gave a lazy grin. “Guilty.”

“See?” Ethan said. “He needs watching.”

“There are trainers,” I argued. “Doctors. Nurses. He’ll be fine.”

“Not like with you,” Ethan said quietly. “I trust you.”

The words punched the air out of me.

“Well, Doc?” Xander asked softly, eyes gleaming. “Got room for me at your place?”

I froze, caught between my son’s hope and Xander’s challenge. My heart hammered, my throat tightened, and I hated that for one reckless, dangerous second… I imagined saying yes.