Chapter 5 : Closer than Rivals
1141 Words
The medics examined Tyler's injury. He stared silently at the ceiling, anxious of what they might find.
Ice packs were pressed against the bruised areas while they checked his motion and asked questions about the hit .
He answered, luckily it wasn't that much serious.
But he had to take days off and rest until he fully recovered.
Zane did not leave with the rest . He sat at the bench thinking about Tyler .He debated whether he should go and see him or not.
The medics were done and left Tyler with James who was waiting for him outside worried.
"Is it that bad?" James asked.
"No, nothing broken." Tyler answered.
"Good , now tell me why the hell would you risk your life like that." James scolded.
"Dude , I'm good anyway." Tyler said.
"Huh!" James said sighing then put his hands akimbo.
After thinking for too long , Zane decided to go and see Tyler. He arrived and asked a medical staff who instructed him to the room.
He stood there at the door deciding whether to get in or not. The door was not fully closed.
He peeped , trying to listen to James and Tyler's conversation. He was concentrating too much that he barely noticed anything around him.
"Excuse me." A voice echoed.
His heartbeat skipped.
For a split of second, he felt as if sweat had trickled down from his face.
Startled, he jerked around and suddenly threw his weight against the door behind him.
The door swung open.
His body tilted backwards into an empty space. For a moment, he was terrified thinking he was going to crash on the floor.
He struggled for balance managing to catch himself before disaster struck.
A sharp silence followed .
Time seemed to slow down.
They all turned to him , eyes locked onto him at once.
A feeling of embarrassment rushed. He could feel his pulse.
He opened his mouth to explain but no words came out.
His mind went blank.
For a moment he stood there frozen but relived he hadn't fallen.
"Why were you peeping ?" The medical staff asked.
"What, no! You got it wrong, I was about to enter when you arrived." He said trying to fix the embarrassment which continued to rise.
"But you,," The medical staff was about to talk but Tyler intervened.
"Captain Brooks . Are you here to see me?" Tyler asked.
Zane looked at Tyler and stared for some time then asked, "How are you feeling?"
The medical staff entered in and checked on Tyler , "You can leave but you are not allowed to move a lot and come back for check -up ." She said and left.
James phone rung and he got out to answer it leaving Tyler with Zane.
The room suddenly went silent.
"The trainers report says you are injured but the scoreboard says you are a hero . I don't know which to believe. "Zane said.
" Aren't you mad? You lost. "Tyler asked.
" I don't know. I guess I am , but maybe not. "Zane answered.
" Most guys would have have stayed down after being hit ." Zane said.
"Well I'm Tyler Knox. I had to win. "He said smiling.
Zane watched him. For a second, the teasing energy shifted into awkward tension, Zane realized the pain behind his calm face.
James came back and echoed through the silence ," Zane can you take him home?" He asked.
"" What! Me,, don't you have anyone else in mind." Zane asked.
Unfortunately,, No. "James said.
Zane looked at Tyler who pretended to look away ." Okay, but first help me get him to the car."
They helped Tyler stand and soon they were on their way.
They arrived at a hotel. Zane tried to hold him , his right hand around Tyler's waist , and Tyler's left hand on top of his shoulder around his neck.
"Which room." Zane asked.
"102." Tyler replied.
They got in the elevator and in no time Zane was unlocking the door . They entered in and he placed Tyler on the bed.
"F**k, are you an elephant. You are too heavy." Zane said.
"Where the hell is the switch, I can barely see anything." He said.
"Next to the door, on the left." Tyler said.
He switched on the lights. Tyler was struggling to get up. "What's wrong with you." He said and immediately rushed to help him.
He tried to pull him up but lost balance.
For a split of second, they were suddenly too close, close enough for Tyler to notice a scar on Zane's eyebrow.
Close enough for Zane to hear the sharp intake of Tyler's breathe.
Their eyes locked for some time.
Tyler's gaze dropped to Zane's lips .
It was enough to set their pulse racing.
The breathing was heavy.
Zane looked away and tried to get up but lost balance again again and touched Tyler's shoulders.
"Ouch!" Tyler screamed.
Zane got up immediately.
"Sorry." He said .
Tyler did not say anything.
Tyler reached for the remote and switched on the television.
"What do you want to watch?" Zane asked.
"Today's match." Tyler said.
Tyler squeezed and Zane sat next to him.
They watched the replay.
"The replay shows you got hurt, fell, got up , and scored. At this point the puck should just be afraid of you." Zane said.
Tyler laughed.
"You are not as cold as you look ." Tyler said.
Zane looked at him.
"You watched some of my tournament replays." Tyler said.
"What!" Zane said pretending to be shocked.
"Why would I do that ?" He asked.
"You are jealous,,, am I wrong?" Tyler asked.
"Jeez why on earth would I be jealous." Zane said and rolled his eyes.
They continued watching and arguing for some time.
As they were watching, Tyler's phone rung.
"Dad." His mood changed.
Zane noticed and decided to give him some privacy.
He heard shouts.
Tyler trying to explain something but it was all in vain and it suddenly ended with anger.
Tyler locked his phone and almost threw it but placed it on the bed.
"Are you fine?" Zane came back and asked.
"Yeah , Tyler said and faked a smile.
Zane finally understood him.All his smiles came to hide something deeper.
Zane looked at his watch ,it was already late." I need to go."He said.
" Thanks ,Tyler said."
They looked at each other smiling.
Suddenly,there was a knock at the door.
Zane rushed to open it.It was James .
" I'm back, sorry for the trouble."He told Zane.
" No problem,"Zane said.
Zane grabbed his jacket .
" Goodnight."He said.
Tyler nodded and smiled as Zane left.
" What happened?"James asked Tyler grinning.
Tyler hit him with a pillow and turned pretending to sleep.
- Writer
