Second overall draft Quince Wilkins is met with challenges as she joins her new team, New Jersey Devils. The only female in the league can come with challenges especially when your old coach tried to sabotage you on your draft day. How is Quince goi...
Quince slowly blinked her eyes open, the harsh light of the hospital room casting a soft glow across the sterile walls. For a moment, she lay there, disoriented and groggy, her mind struggling to make sense of her surroundings.
As her vision cleared, she saw Italy, Maelyn, and Sage standing at her bedside, their faces etched with concern. Relief flooded through her at the sight of her friends, a sense of warmth and gratitude washing over her despite the haze of pain that clouded her mind.
"Maelyn? Sage?" Quince murmured, her voice hoarse with sleep. "What are you guys doing here?"
Sage reached out, taking Quince's hand in hers with a gentle squeeze. "We came as soon as we heard, Quince," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "We couldn't just sit back and do nothing."
Quince felt a surge of gratitude welling up inside her at her friends' words. She had always known that she could count on them, no matter what, but their presence here, in this moment, meant more to her than she could ever express.
"But I'm fine," Quince protested weakly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I don't need you guys to worry about me."
Maelyn and Sage exchanged a look, their expressions filled with disbelief. "Quince, do you have any idea what happened?" Maelyn asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Quince furrowed her brow, confusion clouding her features. "I... I'm not sure," she admitted, her voice trailing off as she struggled to recall the events leading up to her hospitalization.
Sage took a deep breath, her gaze steady as she met Quince's eyes. "You collapsed on the ice during the game, Quince," she explained gently. "You punctured a lung and could've died if it wasn't for the quick actions of the medical team."
Quince's heart skipped a beat at Sage's words, the gravity of the situation crashing down on her like a ton of bricks. She couldn't believe what she was hearing—how had things gone so wrong, so quickly?
"I... I don't understand," Quince murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "How could this have happened?"
Italy reached out, placing a comforting hand on Quince's shoulder. "You took a hard hit into the boards, Quince," she explained softly. "It caused a rib to puncture your lung, which is why you're here now."
Quince felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she struggled to process the enormity of what had happened. She had been so caught up in the game, so focused on winning, that she hadn't even realized the extent of her injuries until now.
"I... I had no idea," Quince murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm so sorry, guys. I didn't mean to worry you."
Maelyn shook her head, her expression filled with compassion. "You don't have to apologize, Quince," she said softly. "We're just glad you're okay."
Quince felt tears welling up in her eyes as she looked around at her friends, their faces a blur through the haze of pain and exhaustion. She had never felt more grateful to have them by her side, their unwavering support a beacon of light in her darkest hour.
"Thank you," Quince whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you for being here."
Italy smiled warmly, her eyes shining with tears. "Of course, Quince," she said, her voice filled with love and affection. "We'll always be here for you, no matter what."
As Quince settled back against her pillows, surrounded by the warmth and love of her friends, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. Despite the pain and uncertainty that lay ahead, she knew that she would get through this, as long as she had her friends by her side. And with that thought in her heart, Quince closed her eyes and surrendered to the healing embrace of sleep, knowing that no matter what the future held, she would face it with courage and determination, fueled by the love and support of those who mattered most.
As Quince lay in her hospital bed, her mind still reeling from the shock of waking up to find herself surrounded by her friends, Italy, Maelyn, and Sage, her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Luke. She watched as Italy, Maelyn, and Sage exchanged a meaningful glance before quietly excusing themselves from the room, leaving Quince alone with Luke.
For a moment, there was silence between them, the weight of everything left unsaid hanging heavy in the air. Quince felt a surge of anger rising within her as she looked at Luke, his expression contrite as he stood awkwardly by her bedside.
"What are you doing here?" Quince asked, her voice cold and biting.
Luke shifted uncomfortably, his eyes downcast as he struggled to find the right words. "I... I wanted to see if you were okay," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Quince felt a surge of frustration welling up inside her at Luke's words. Did he honestly expect her to believe that he cared about her well-being after everything that had happened?
"You don't get to pretend like you care," Quince spat, her voice dripping with venom. "Not after what you did to me."
Luke flinched at her words, his shoulders sagging with defeat. "Quince, I'm so sorry," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "I never meant to hurt you. I just... I didn't know what else to do."
Quince felt a surge of anger rising within her at Luke's feeble attempt at an apology. Did he honestly expect her to forgive him just like that, after everything he had put her through?
"You don't deserve the right to apologize," Quince replied, her voice laced with bitterness. "You betrayed me, Luke. You lied to me, you used me, and now you expect me to just forgive you like it never happened?"
Luke opened his mouth to speak, but Quince cut him off before he could utter another word. "Save it," she spat, her voice trembling with anger. "I don't want to hear your excuses, Luke. I don't want anything to do with you. So do us both a favor and get out of here before I call security."
Luke's eyes widened in shock at her words, his expression a mix of hurt and disbelief. For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words, as if struggling to comprehend the depth of Quince's anger and pain.
But then, with a heavy sigh, he nodded in resignation, his shoulders slumping with defeat. "I understand," he said softly, his voice tinged with regret. "I'll leave you alone, Quince. But just know that I'm truly sorry for everything."
And with that, Luke turned on his heel and made his way out of the hospital room, leaving Quince alone with her thoughts. She watched him go, her heart heavy with a mix of sadness and anger at the realization that their relationship was truly over.
But as she lay there in her hospital bed, surrounded by the quiet hum of machines and the soft glow of the overhead lights, Quince knew that she had made the right decision. She couldn't allow herself to be drawn back into Luke's orbit, not when he had proven himself unworthy of her trust and affection.
Now we got problems And I don't think we can solve 'em You made a really deep cut And baby, now we got bad blood
Authors note
This book is almost over!
But book 3 is about to come out!
Here is the cover:
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