Love Notes

Chapter 30-Charlie



I’m almost at the hospital. I made myself stay away for a full three hours, thinking that by the time I got there, surely he would be out of surgery.

My anxiety levels are reaching new heights.

It seems to take an eternity to get there. By the time I park and reach the waiting room where Robert and Carol will be waiting, unless of course the surgery is over.

As soon as I walk in the waiting area, I only see Robert. As soon as I reach him, he reaches over, giving me what I have now deemed to be, his traditional bear hug.

“He’s out of surgery and in his room. He’s out of it, but he’s in there and it went really well.”

“Can I see him? Please.”

He gives me a soft smile and says, “Of course you’re family, let’s go. They've moved him into a different room.”

I was still getting used to these niceties. “Thank you,” I whisper back. He leads the way and I follow.

We stop at Maverick's door and peer in, not exactly sure of what to expect. I look in and see him with Carol sitting beside him.

He appears to have his eyes slightly open. Carol looks up and smiles. I walk in slowly, even though I want to run as fast my legs will take me, to his side.

As I approach his bed, I see that his eyes are indeed open, but he looks groggy.

I can’t seem to keep the huge grin off of my face.

“Hey Mav.” I could get lost in those eyes of his.

His lip pulls up on one side in the traditional Maverick smile. “Hey babe.”

Hearing him say that makes my insides turn to Jell-O.

“I’ve missed you, you know.”

He looks as if he may be in some pain. As if sensing my thoughts, “Naw, I honestly don’t feel a thing. They have me on some pretty good drugs. I was so worried about you and I’m so glad to see you’re safe. Have I told you lately, that you look smoking hot?” Just like Maverick to be slightly inappropriate.

“Maverick,” I say. He chuckles his sexy chuckle, “Well, I’m not saying anything that isn’t true, you know.”

I spend a couple of hours with Maverick at his bedside, while he comes in and out of consciousness. Robert and Carol come in and out of the room. Finally, knowing that I’m there and feeling comfortable enough to leave, they go home to shower, saying they’ll be back in an hour. The doctor said it would be like this for several hours. Sitting beside him, just the two of us, gives me a chance to really examine him. Maverick’s features are masculine, but still beautiful. I chuckle low, thinking what a ribbing I would get from him, if I actually said that out loud. It’s unreal to me, that this hot as sin guy, has picked me over anyone else. It’s not just his looks either, but his kindness and sense of humor. It’s also the way he makes me feel about myself and how he hates how my dad had treated me, the day he came over for dinner.

It isn’t long before Robert and Carol walk back in, the three of us sitting and talking. It’s so easy with them. Before long, Maverick starts to wake up, becoming more alert.

The moment he sees me clearly, he smiles, “Hey Charlie, have you been here the whole time?”

“Nope, you’re parents made me go home to shower and eat,” I say with a smirk. Obviously forgetting our previous conversation.

“Good, I’m glad they were taking care of you, while I couldn’t.” I smile up at them and look back to Maverick, “Yeah, they’re pretty awesome.”

Maverick glances over at his parents, “Can I have a few minutes with Charlie, please?” I turn to look at them as they go and smile, grateful for just a few minutes of alone time with him awake.

He’s so intent and serious. He’s just staring at me. He’s starting to make me feel a bit self conscious.

“I heard you Charlie.” he says.

I’m not understanding what he’s saying.

“Mav, what are you…”

He interrupts me, “When you were in here I guess last night, I could hear you. I felt you hold my hand, felt you kiss my lips. I heard you tell me you loved me. I could hear other voices but I felt and heard you. I don’t know what I would do without you. I was so worried about you.”

I’m actually very surprised to hear this. I have heard of these kinds of things happening but never had firsthand experience.

As if to give him extra reassurance I say, “See, I’m safe and sound and I’m here and I love you.”

He grabs my hand and puts it to his lips, gently kissing my knuckles and says. “Yeah, I know.”

Right then I hear a noise behind me and see Maverick's parents peeking into the doorway. I know they’re anxious to speak to Maverick and get the dreaded discussion out of their way. My heart aches for him and he doesn’t even know yet.

“Can we come in? We have a few things we need to discuss,” Robert says.

I feel so nervous about this inevitable conversation, and I start sweating profusely. Maverick must feel the tension in my hand, but he doesn't even flinch at my sweaty palms. In fact, he tightens his grip on my hand.

Robert starts the conversation. “Maverick we need to discuss your injuries and what they entail.”

I glance at Carol looking at her for any sign that I need to leave the room, and give them some space. She knows what my look means, because she gently shakes her head no. I’m glad she wants me here, it’s where I need to be.

“There’s no easy way to say this except to just say it. Maverick, you had what the doctor’s call a hyper-extended knee. Your knee was put through too much trauma and it will never be the same again. You will probably always have knee issues from here on out, and playing would definitely make it worse. You will not be able to play football again. . . It could hyper-extend again at any time.”

Maverick lets go of my hand and brushes it through his hair messing it in the process. Even though he’s in a hospital gown and cut and bruised, I can't help but marvel at my hot as sin boyfriend.

I’m missing the warmth of his hand in mine, until he says, “Charlie I need to speak to my parents and I need you to go home.”

An instant chill runs right through me and I immediately fear the worst.

I feel so hurt. I can see the pain in his eyes and I knew he would be devastated when he was told about the extent of his injury. I truly did, but I never imagined that he would instantly try to push me away.

“Are you sure?” I whisper.

He turns his head away so he’s not looking at me and I receive his clipped conformation, which is all I need to confirm my fear.

Be it in a whispered hush, but none the less I hear it. “Yes.”

I know he’s hurting, but surely he doesn't mean this? I turn to catch the eye of his parents and see the same pain mirrored across their faces. I can't help it. I flee the room with tears streaking down my face and a slowly breaking heart.