Sage sat on the edge of her seat, her eyes fixed intently on the ice rink below. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, with the sounds of skates slicing through the ice and the echoes of cheers and jeers from the crowd filling the air. She could feel the tension building with each passing minute as the game between her Chicago and Minnesota Wild intensified.
Connor was out on the ice, his skill and determination evident in every move he made. She couldn't help but feel a swell of pride every time he touched the puck, weaving effortlessly through defenders and taking shots on goal with precision.
But then, in an instant, everything changed. Connor found himself in the crosshairs of an opposing player, number 27, Bennett. Sage's heart skipped a beat as she watched in horror as Bennett lined up Connor and delivered a crushing blow with his shoulder, directly to Connor's jaw.
Time seemed to stand still as Connor crumpled to the ice, clutching his jaw in agony. Sage felt a surge of panic course through her veins as she watched him struggle to get back to his feet, his face contorted in pain. She wanted to rush down to the ice, to be by his side and make sure he was okay, but she felt rooted to her seat, paralyzed by shock and disbelief.
As Connor slowly made his way off the ice, supported by the team's trainers, Sage's gaze shifted to Bennett. Her brother. Ryder. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks, and she felt a wave of conflicting emotions wash over her. Anger, betrayal, confusion. How could her own brother do something like that to her childhood best friend?
Without thinking as a buzzer went off I did sting the end of the game, Sage jumped to her feet and pushed her way through the crowd, determined to find Ryder and confront him about what he had done. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions as she made her way to the tunnel leading to the locker rooms, her heart pounding in her chest.
She waited outside the locker room waiting until she spotted Ryder walking near the entrance, surrounded by a group of teammates, his expression unreadable. Sage's anger flared as she marched up to him, her fists clenched at her sides.
"What the hell was that, Ryder?" she demanded, her voice trembling with fury. "You could have seriously injured Connor out there! You knew that play is illegal!"
Ryders eyes widened in surprise at the sight of his sister approaching him, her face flushed with anger. He opened his mouth to respond, but Sage cut him off before he could speak.
"Don't even try to defend yourself," she spat, her voice dripping with contempt. "I saw what you did out there. You targeted Connor deliberately, and for what? To prove some stupid point?"
Ryders expression darkened, and Sage could see the guilt and shame flicker across his face. She felt a pang of sympathy for him, knowing that he must be struggling with his own demons, but it was quickly overshadowed by her concern for Connor.
"I don't know what got into me," Ryder muttered, his voice barely audible above the noise of the crowd. "I guess I just got caught up in the heat of the moment."
Sage shook her head in disbelief, unable to comprehend how her brother could justify his actions so easily. She wanted to scream at him, to make him understand the gravity of what he had done, but she knew that it wouldn't change anything.
"Look, I'm sorry, okay?" Ryder said, his voice tinged with remorse. "I didn't mean for things to escalate like that. I'll talk to Connor and apologize to him personally."
Sage wanted to believe him, to believe that he was genuinely remorseful for what he had done, but she couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal that lingered in the air between them. She knew that it would take more than a simple apology to make things right.
"Apologizing to Connor is the least you can do," Sage said, her voice cold and distant. "But don't expect me to forgive you so easily."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Ryder standing alone in the tunnel, his head bowed in shame. She didn't know what the future held for their relationship, but one thing was certain: things would never be the same between them again.
As Sage made her way to Chicagos Locker room, her mind was consumed with thoughts of Connor. She knew that he would be okay physically, thanks to the team's trainers, but she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that gnawed at her insides.
She couldn't bear the thought of Connor being hurt, not just physically, but emotionally as well. She knew that he would be devastated by what had happened on the ice, and she vowed to do everything in her power to support him through the ordeal.
When she finally reached the Locker Room, she was relieved to see Connor standing outside them, surrounded by concerned teammates and friends. She made her way over to him, ignoring the curious glances from those around her, and took his hand in hers.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly, her heart aching at the sight of him bruised and battered.
Connor looked up at her, his eyes filled with pain and exhaustion, but there was a flicker of something else there as well. Gratitude, perhaps, or maybe something more.
"I'll be okay," he grunted out before Maelyn was beside him shushing him. "The doctor said he shouldn't talk until fully healed. He has an appointment tomorrow morning. He has broken his jaw."
Sage squeezed his hand gently, her eyes brimming with tears. She felt horrible for Connor. He brought her into a hug showing he's fine with touch rather than words.
In the aftermath of the brutal hit delivered by Sage's own brother, Ryder, Connor's jaw was left shattered, leaving him unable to speak. Sage's heart ached as she saw her best friend in pain, his usual vibrant energy dampened by the injury. Determined to support him through his recovery, Sage insisted on taking care of him herself.
As Connor lay on the couch, his jaw wired shut and his face swollen from the impact, Sage hovered nearby, fussing over him like a mother hen. She made sure he had everything he needed, from pain medication to soft foods that he could easily consume. Despite his protests, Connor couldn't help but feel grateful for her unwavering support.
As the days passed, Connor's frustration grew as he struggled to communicate with those around him. Simple tasks like ordering food or asking for help became a source of immense frustration, leaving him feeling isolated and alone. It was then that Sage had an idea.
"Why don't I teach you sign language?" she suggested, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "That way, you'll be able to communicate with me and everyone else without having to speak."
Connor's eyes widened in surprise at the suggestion. He had never considered learning sign language before, but the prospect of being able to communicate more effectively was too tempting to pass up. With Sage by his side, he began his journey into the world of sign language, starting with the basics and slowly working his way up to more complex phrases and sentences.
At first, it was a struggle. Connor's fingers felt clumsy and awkward as he tried to mimic the movements that Sage showed him, and he often found himself frustrated by his slow progress. But Sage was patient and encouraging, guiding him through each step with unwavering support.
As the days turned into weeks, Connor's confidence grew as he mastered more and more signs. He found himself becoming more fluent in the language of gestures, his hands moving with a grace and precision that surprised even him. And with each new sign he learned, he felt a sense of empowerment wash over him, as if he were breaking free from the constraints of his injury and reclaiming control over his own voice.
But it wasn't just the practical aspect of sign language that drew Connor in. As he and Sage spent hour after hour practicing together, he found himself growing closer to her in ways he had never imagined. Their bond deepened with each shared moment, and Connor couldn't help but feel a flutter of something more than friendship whenever their hands touched.
Sage, too, found herself drawn to Connor in ways she couldn't fully explain. As they communicated through sign language, she felt a connection with him that transcended words, a silent understanding that spoke volumes. She found herself falling for him more and more with each passing day, her heart swelling with a love she had never known before.
But as Connor's jaw began to heal and his ability to speak returned, both he and Sage found themselves facing a new challenge. With their newfound ability to communicate through sign language, they had forged a bond that was deeper and more meaningful than either of them had ever imagined. And as they navigated the uncertain waters of their evolving relationship, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, hand in hand.
Authors note
Connor knowing sign language will be in later chapters!
Thank you for reading!!
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