Cruel Summer- Caitlin Clark

21. This love came back to me

TW: NEEDLES AND INJURY 

50 Minutes Later... 

"This is only going to hurt for a second, I promise." Dr.Kevin, a doctor on our medical staff says 

As I feel the needle go into my cheek, I would argue and say that it hurts more for than just a second

"Are you doing okay?" He asks 

"Yeah, I'm fine." I say, clenching my jaw. 

I wasn't mad at him, obviously. I was mad that I had to be here. 

"We also just got your results off your ankle. It has a sprain, and a hairline fracture. We will have to evaluate how you feel in the morning, but we might allow you to play in the morning." 

PS... I am not a doctor, but I do know that you cannot play on a fractured foot and sprained ankle (I just fractured and sprained my ankle and have been dealing with that.) Anyway, just pretend like you can for the sake of the story!! 

"We will have to put you in a boot for the time being, but that might just be temporary." He says. 

"Shoot." I say, knowing that this might take a long time to recover.

"Okay, well I'm going to give you a minute to process this, and then you can leave whenever you would like." He says

"Okay, thanks so much." I say, knowing it's not his fault I'm in this situation.

After a couple of minutes of staring at the wall, not really knowing what to say, I head a knock on the door

"Come in." I say, thinking it's going to be one of the coaching staff.

"Alright." Connor says 

"What are you doing here?" I ask, wanting nothing to do with him.

"I heard what happened, and I came over immediately." He says

"Whatever." I say, rolling my eyes and not making eye contact with him

"Wow, your cheek really got all beat up, didn't it." He says, putting his hand on my cheek

A wave went down my spine, just by the touch of his hand.

"Don't touch me." I say, pushing his hand down

Then, there is another knock on the door.

"Thank god." I say, under my breath

But, maybe I shouldn't be so thankful, because then Caitlin walked through the door.

"What are you guys doing?" She asks 

"That's not your business." I say, getting up to leave

"Rory, please, I just want to talk to you." She says

"Well, I wanted to talk about an hour ago with you, and this is where we are now." I say, leaving

                                                      ✨

Luckily, this morning I was cleared to play, even though I hurt my foot pretty bad. However, I had 34 points, and 10 rebonds, leading us to an 102-65 win over Iowa State. 

As Caitlin and I sat down for the post-game press conference, I could feel the tension in the air. 

Of course, the first question I was asked was about my foot.

"So, Rory. How does it feel that you were able to play such an amazing game still, even with an injury" the reporter asked

"Yeah, well. I just told myself that I could still play, and that I could still do it. And to be honest, it was just confidence, which is something that this game goes back to so many times. But, I'm so honored that I got such great care, and that everyone was there to help me." I answer