me and him - an nick daicos story

party forty seven - starting again

I woke up the next morning with a dull ache in my knee, a cruel reminder that what had happened the day before wasn't just a nightmare. It was real, and it was going to change everything. The hotel room was quiet, the early morning light creeping in through the curtains. I lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling, trying to piece together my thoughts. My knee was wrapped tightly in bandages, the swelling already starting to set in. The doctor's words from yesterday kept playing on repeat in my mind, "It looks like an ACL tear."

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, snapping me out of my thoughts. I reached over, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through my leg, and grabbed it. A text from Nick.

Nick: "Morning, G. How are you feeling? Heading to Sydney for the game today. I'll be back in two days. If you need anything, just let me know. See you soon, okay?"

I stared at the message for a moment, my thumb hovering over the screen. What could I even say? That I was devastated? That I was terrified of what this meant for my career? Or that I was just numb, the reality of it all too overwhelming to process? Instead, I typed out a quick reply.

Me: "Morning. It still hurts like hell, but I'm okay. Safe travels to Sydney. See you in two days."

I hit send and sighed, leaning back against the pillows. Nick's season was almost done, with Round 22 coming up. He'd been pushing through his own challenges, but he always found time to check in on me, to make sure I was holding up. Now, it felt like everything had flipped. I was the one who needed support, who had to figure out how to navigate another long recovery.

There was a knock at the door, and I looked up to see one of my teammates poking her head in. "Hey, Georgie, you ready to go? We're heading to the airport soon."

"Yeah," I replied, forcing a smile. "I'll be down in a minute."

She nodded and closed the door behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts again. I slowly got out of bed, every movement reminding me of the injury. Getting dressed was a challenge, but I managed, gritting my teeth against the pain. By the time I was ready, I felt exhausted, as if I'd already played a full match.

The trip to the airport was quiet. The usual pre-game banter was absent, replaced by a somber mood that matched my own. My teammates tried to keep things light, but there was an unspoken tension in the air. They knew what an ACL tear could mean, how long the recovery might take, and what it could do to a player's career.

At the airport, I received more messages from friends, family, and teammates back in Melbourne. Everyone was checking in, offering support, but each message felt like another reminder of what I was facing. As we waited for our flight, I found myself staring at the boarding gate, lost in thought.

The flight back to Melbourne was a blur. I was too drained to think, let alone talk, and my teammates respected my silence. When we finally landed, I felt a sense of relief. I just wanted to get home, to see Nick, and to figure out what came next.

But when I got back to my apartment, Nick was already in Sydney for his game. I missed him more than I'd expected. It felt odd, navigating this new reality without him here. I texted him to let him know I was back and that I missed him.

Me: "Back in Melbourne. Missing you already. Good luck with the game! I love you, talk soon."

As I settled onto the couch, I was left with my thoughts and a growing sense of unease. The reality of my injury was sinking in, and with Nick and Josh away, it felt more daunting. The next few days would be filled with doctor's appointments, scans, and consultations, each one bringing more clarity but also more dread. The scans confirmed the worst, a complete ACL tear. Surgery was inevitable, followed by months of rehab. The timeline was daunting, the road ahead long and uncertain.

The day after my return, Annalise arrived. She came over with a bag of groceries and a warm smile. "I thought I'd bring some comfort food," she said as she walked in, setting the bags down on the kitchen counter. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm managing," I replied. "It's been a rough few days, but having you here helps."

Annalise stayed with me for the next couple of days, and her support was a lifeline. She helped me with daily tasks that had become nearly impossible on my own. From fetching me water to assisting with basic chores, she made sure I wasn't struggling alone. She cooked meals, stocked up my fridge with all my favourites, and kept me company. We spent evenings watching movies, talking about everything and nothing, and her laughter was a much-needed tonic for my spirits.

On the second day of her visit, as we were winding down from another day of managing my pain and uncertainty, Annalise said, "I know it's been tough, but try to focus on the positives. We'll get through this. You've got a great team around you."

"I know," I said, appreciating her optimism. "It's just hard to see beyond the next few months right now. The surgery and rehab, it's all overwhelming."

She nodded, understanding. "It's okay to feel that way. Just remember, you're not alone in this. We're all here for you, and we'll get through it together."

Later that night, I received a call from Aaron, my brother. His voice was filled with concern as he asked, "How are you holding up? I heard about the injury, and I'm really sorry you're going through this."

"I'm getting by," I said. "It's tough, but I'm trying to stay positive. I've got a lot of support here, which helps."

"I'm glad to hear that," he replied. "Just keep pushing through. You've dealt with setbacks before, and you've come out stronger. This is no different."

The next day, Nick called to check in again. "How's everything going?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Me: "Annalise has been amazing. She's been helping me out and keeping me company. It's been really good to have someone around."

Nick: "I'm glad she's there for you. I wish I could be there too. I'll be back soon, though, and we'll tackle this together."

Me: "I appreciate it. Just knowing you're thinking of me helps."

As the days passed, I focused on preparing for the upcoming surgery and the extensive rehab that would follow. Annalise's presence made the process a bit more manageable, and I found comfort in the support from my friends and family. Nick and Josh were still away, but their messages and encouragement kept me going. Aaron's calls, Josh's check-ins, and Annalise's support were my anchors during this tumultuous time.

When Nick finally returned from Sydney, he walked into my apartment with a weary but hopeful smile. He pulled me into a gentle hug, his warmth and presence a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "How's my girl?" he asked softly, his eyes searching mine for any signs of struggle.

"Surviving," I said, managing a small smile. "It's been tough, but having Annalise here made it easier."

He nodded, brushing a kiss against my forehead. "I'm sorry I wasn't here with you, but we'll get through this together. One step at a time."

The road ahead was still daunting, but with the support of those around me and the unwavering belief from Nick, I felt a bit more equipped to handle the challenges. As I prepared for surgery and the long rehab ahead, I found solace in knowing that, while this setback was significant, it was not the end. With Nick, Annalise, Aaron, Josh, and my teammates behind me, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could turn this setback into a comeback.

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a/n- WHO IS SHE,  two chapter, two days in a row and possibly another one today 😏. anywho, HOPE YOU LIKING ITTTTTT. it's gonna be a bit sad for next few chapters but dw, it will get betterrrrrrr. if you have any ideas or suggestions please comment them it would mean the world to me, if you could also vote! thank you so much for reading, i love you all so much enjoy reading lovelies!!!! 😘