It's Time

Just Breathe

"Olivia, did you hear me? I really think something might be wrong." Ms. Grace panics.

"I NEED A MOMENT," I shout, causing everyone in the immediate vicinity to turn and stare. Perfect. I can't think straight, let alone handle a million eyes on me right now. I stare down at the field, where I see tons of people surrounding Spencer on the ground.

"Screw this," I say, running out of the stands. I'm sure I could be handling all of this better, but is there some sort of playbook on what to do when the man you love is injured, unmoving on a football field, and the young mom you've been trying to help is now asking you to take her child?

My heart races as I head down towards the locker room. I can't even begin to process the chaos with Julia, let alone allow myself to imagine the worst with Spencer. This is not how things are supposed to be. We are finally happy. Things are finally working out.

I feel a presence behind me, and I pause in my tracks to take in my surroundings. When I glance behind me, I notice Ms. Grace on my heels.

"Olivia, honey. I didn't mean to scare you, but you took off so fast back there." Her face is consumed with worry, and her words are timid.

"I'm sorry." I let out in a hushed tone. "I was just overwhelmed, and I'm worried about Spencer. I needed to step away to breathe. I didn't mean to scare you." It's the truth. I wasn't thinking about anyone but myself when I stormed out of the stands. As scared as I am for Spencer, I can't even begin to imagine what Ms. Grace is feeling.

"He's fine, I'm sure of it." She asserts. "We can't go up to him all freaked out, so I need you to take a deep breath and get it together."

Her motherly presence is super comforting right now. I honestly needed the reality check because I'm just not thinking straight at the moment. She's right; Spencer is tough. I'm sure he's already back out on the field, and I made my dramatic exit for nothing. My phone vibrates, and I check to see if it's Spencer somehow. Instead, it's Julia telling me she saw them help Spencer back to the locker room and to update her when I know something.

"Julia just texted that Spencer was helped to the locker room. We should head that way for an update." I tell Ms. Grace with way less panic than I had five short minutes ago.

"Let's do it." She grabs hold of my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. This whole second mom phenomenon is honestly the best thing to ever happen to me. I'd be an absolute mess without her right now.

We finally make it back to the locker room, and one of the medical staff guides us in Spencer's direction. He's laid out on what looks like a stretcher explaining to another member of the team the pain he feels. I turn to walk away, but Ms. Grace quickly reaches for me, stopping my escape. I turn to face her, my eyes full of sorrow.

"He needs us right now, Olivia."

"I know." I concede.

We approach Spencer, and he opens his eyes, immediately locking them on mine, and everything feels better. Standing right before him, I fight the urge to fall apart completely. He flashes his boyish grin at me, and I'm sure this is supposed to comfort me, but all I can think about is the idea that I may not see that intoxicating smile for a while, depending on what the status of his injury is.

"Hi, babe." He smiles at me. "I just got the wind knocked out of me; don't look so worried."

I hear Ms. Grace let out a sigh of relief, and I'm tempted to do the same, but something about Spencer's body language tells me that there's more than he's letting on. I walk over to him, cupping his face in my hands. He melts into my touch, and suddenly it's like the horrifying past fifteen minutes are a thing of the past. Spencer's eyes grow wide, and I realize he's now aware of me and his mom's little secret.