Page 146 of Forever Offsides

“Not at the moment,” I state, shifting to the end of the chair so they can get me up easier, but I legit just want to sleep. “I want to get back into bed.”

“I’ll go with you,” my father says, and he and Mason leave the room.

“I’m really upset with you,” Crew tells me.

“I know. Yell at me in a minute.”

His jaw locks. “I can’t yell at you. You’re in pain and in love. Like, what the fuck, Quinnerys?”

I’d smile at that if I had the energy. “So sorry Crewstone.”

He laughs and gets right in front of me, his hands on the arms of the recliner on either side of my body. “So glad you’re back, sis.”

“Same, bro. But can we do this?”

“Yeah. Sorry!”

“On three,” my mother calls us back. “One. Two. Three.”

I suck in a breath and hold it in as I work to stand. My mother and Crew help me along, but Jesus, Mary, and Pope Leo, this is excruciating. My head swims, and a fierce wave of nausea hits me.

“Stop. Oh god.” I don’t want to throw up. Please, I don’t want to throw up.

My eyes close, and the worst sort of cold sweat breaks out all over my body. Crew is in front of me, holding me up while my mother is behind me.

“Crew. Tell me you have her,” my mother demands.

“I have her.” His arms are around me with most of my weight against his big chest. “I’ll never drop her. Not ever.”

“Mom, I don’t want to throw up, but I’m really close to doing just that.”

“Don’t move. Either of you.”

My mother releases me and runs into my bathroom. I hear the tap turn on and a second later, she’s back with a cold, wet cloth that she puts on my forehead.

“Slow, even breaths, Quinn. Nothing too deep. Crew, hold her steady.”

“I’m deadweight.”

“You’re nothing compared to the weight I’m used to lifting. Lean all you want.”

My heart fills, my cup so full.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” I feel like a little girl, but right now I don’t care. There is something so incredible about having your mother with you when you need her the most, and knowing your twin always has you no matter what—literally.

“Me too.” My mother presses the cloth, but I can feel her worried eyes boring into the side of my face. “Tell us when you’re ready.”

The cloth helps, and after another few seconds, I give them a nod, and they help me into bed. Crew climbs in beside me and rests on his side without pressing in on me. Considering how big of a guy he is, it’s an amazing feat.

“Quinnious?”

“I’m okay, Crewster.”

“Press this,” my mom instructs, handing me the button for my pain medicine. I happily click it and close my eyes, hating how weak I am. How long will it take for me to get back to full speed? It’ll be weeks at least out of the OR. The thought makes me a little anxious, but I have to learn to manage it.

It’s what Crew said to me in the hotel that morning. The bigger picture is what I have to focus on right now.

My mom puts the cloth back on my forehead, and I sigh, a beat away from falling asleep.