Opal's Boy

Chapter 14

I woke up the next morning to Sidney breathing hard.

"What's going on Sid?" I asked as I walked over to where he was standing.

"My back," he barely whispered.

"Medicine. Why haven't you taken it?" I asked.

"I have medicine?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yes, you do. We went last night. You don't remember?"

He shook his head. I grabbed his arm and helped him slowly down his grand staircase. I sat him down on the couch and grabbed his medicine. After he took it, I dialed his coaches number.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Opal. Has Sidney's doctor called you?"

"No, what's going on?"

"Yesterday, he apparently fell over the boards and he bruised his back pretty bad. The doctor said he'd call you and Sid's gonna be out for a day."

"Oh that's not good. Tell Sid to call me tomorrow if he's feeling better. Stay home and take care of him. Thanks for the call, Opal."

"Thank you, sir."

I hung up and sat down beside a wincing Sidney.

"Your coach wants you to call him when you feel better tomorrow. In the meantime, I get to stay home and take care of you," I smiled as I took his hand in mine.

"Is there a heating pad? It felt a lot better with heat."

I nodded and grabbed it. He laid down and pulled off his shirt, allowing me to put the pad down. He immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry I'm making you miss your second day at work," he said.

"No, I love being here with you."

I laid down beside him and raked my fingers through his curls. He grinned and let his eyes close.

His breathing soon slowed down to a steady pace and he was asleep. I covered him up with a spare blanket and went into the den. I dialed Veda's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Veda! How's everything in Chicago?"

"Great! I was gonna call you but I figured you'd be too busy. What's going on, you have a break or something?"

"Well I went yesterday and it was wonderful. The boys are so sweet and my coworkers are great. Sidney fell over the boards yesterday and bruised his back pretty bad so we went to the doctor last night, the whole nine yards. Turns out he has deep tissue bruising and is gonna be out for a day. His coach wanted me to stay home with him so here I am."

"Oh my goodness that's terrible! Tell him I hope he gets better! But I'm glad you're liking it!"

I could tell she was lying about the last part. She didn't like the fact that I was liking Pittsburgh.

"How's Pat? I miss him."

"He's good. He misses you too. He slept in your bed last night."

I laughed.

"He's such a softy. Tell him to call me when he gets the chance."

"No problem, Opal. I love you."

"Love you too, V. Bye."

I hung up and went upstairs. I took a quick shower and blow-dried my hair immediately afterwards.

I put on a dark pair of jeans and a penguins hoodie. I let my hair fall nicely over my shoulders and decided not to bother with makeup.

I wrote Sidney a note letting him know I would be at the grocery store.

When I got back to the house around noon, Sidney was still asleep.

I quietly put away the groceries and made chicken noodle soup for the two of us. When I was finished, I went to wake him up.

"Hey there sunshine. How ya feelin?" I asked softly as his eyes fluttered open.

He smiled when his eyes focused on mine. "I can't feel anything."

"Cmon, I made us some soup."

"You found soup in here?" He asked as he stood up.

"I went to the grocery store. You were in desperate need," I laughed.

"You should've woken me up. I would've done it for you," he said.

"No, I wanted you to enjoy sleep."

He grinned and started eating his soup.

When we were done, he walked back over to the couch and sat down slowly.

"I can feel it," he said.

"The doctor said you can take it every two hours. You took one like, three hours ago so you're good," I told him.

"I don't wanna fall asleep. I want to spend time with you but those things put me out."

I sat down beside him and kissed his cheek.

"Think of your team right now. I'll be here when you're better," I smiled at him.

He hugged me and grabbed the medicine bottle. After a few minutes of him trying to fight sleep, he gave in.

My phone rang as soon as he was out.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ope."

"Patrick I miss you so much."

I was trying not to cry.

"I miss you too. You have to stay strong, okay? Remember that Pittsburgh is a good place. Us guys back in Chicago are okay."

"I know. I just miss it."

"Try not to think of us. Listen, I'll call you Friday, not before then. Unless I need to. But I want you to act like we don't exist for just this week. Pittsburgh needs your attention."

"Fine. Just know I miss you."

"I miss you too. Veda let me know what happened with Crosby. Now go take care of him and quit thinking of me."

I laughed.

"Bye Kane."

"Bye Ope."

I hung up and walked back into the living room.

I laid down beside Sidney on his massive couch and joined him in sleep.