Page 128 of Chasing Headlines
“I thought he just bumped his head. You know.”
“No, I can't say I have any idea what was running through that head. Butyou do knowhow important this stuff is to the university.”
The doctor came back into the exam room. He glared daggers at me with his eyes. “I'm going to numb this up. If you have anything to tell?—”
“He doesn't.” Milline's head popped in. She met my gaze and shook her head.
“I was asking him.” The doctor replied. Reegan crossed his arms.
“You stay out of this.” Eberhardt reached for the door, pulling it closed. “You're in enough hot water.”
Her foot caught in the door and she pushed it open again. “Don't let them railroad your player. They're trying to trap him into admitting something that's not true. He’s disoriented and doesn’t remember much because of the concussion. That's it, that's all. I wasthere.” She turned and looked at the deputy. He didn't even blink.
“That your official statement?” Reegan glanced at me.
“She was there. I can't really remember much.” The second part was true, the first part . . . I'd just try not to think too hard.
“My official statement is Breslin was tripped by some rando jerkfaced dude who was trying to pick a fight. Rival team, maybe? I dunno what his deal was because he disappeared as soon as he realized blood was involved. I was with Breslin the whole time, he wasn't drinking. It was assault.”
And I figured most of that was a lie, but she had some ability to seem . . . indignant about it all?
Coach cast a suspicious glance at me. Arms crossed over his chest, he lifted an eyebrow, then shook his head. But before I could say a word, a cold alcohol swab burned against my skin. A prick of a needle and the doctor fanned the air.
Pressure, tugging, the scowling doctor bent forward as he restitched my wound. “Sit up.”
I obeyed. And caught sight of Coach and Deputy Reegan—huddling around Milline in the hallway. She did a lot of shrugging and huffing. I caught her looking at me . . . a few times.
“Your girlfriend is a force of nature.” The doctor shook his head and peeled off his gloves.
My what now?I snapped my mouth shut before I contradicted the man or anythingshehad told them.
“I don't buy that story she's spinning. But can't disprove it either. My guess, having two adult children of my own, is that there's just enough truth to it.” He sighed and stood up. “But if you learn something out of this, turn whatever mess around. Let this be your wakeup call, son. I don't want to see you in here for something like this again.”
I nodded slowly. “Yes, sir.”
“And if I never have to deal with her again? It'll be too soon.” He took a deep breath and exhaled. “You sure you know what you're doing?”
“Me? With her?”
The doctor's mouth twisted. “She reminds me of my daughter. Just . . . mine always took it easy on her poor dad, I guess.” An amused huff. “I doubt you deserve her.”
My brain ached. I didn't know words. Any words.
“Fix it. Do better.”
And then he was gone.
Before the door closed, she slipped inside. My tongue felt like a thick heavy lump in my mouth.
“You were with me,” she said and took in a deep breath. “All night, uh, weekend . . . nights.”
I stared down at her from my perch on the edge of the exam table. Four blue-green eyes met my gaze. “Seems . . . unlikely?” If I'd forgottenthat, someone should just put me out of my misery.
Her mouth turned down on one side. “They don't know that.”
“What doyouget out of it?”
“They'll think I made bad decisions for love. Blah blah. And maybe not get me fired from being the team reporter.” She turned an interesting shade of pink.