Chapter 173

I'M MORE COMFORTABLE ON the field taking a pounding than watching a match and seeing it happen to others. Danny owns the field, but takes one hit too many a few minutes before the end of the match. She's slow to rise and then stays hunched over as play continues downfield. She drops to a knee and looks toward the blood bin.

Crap, I can see red streaming down her face. It's obvious another player's cleat connected. She's holding her side between her breasts and belly, which is a good indicator of a problem with her ribs. A referee notices Danny and stops the game. Two of her teammates run from the sideline and assist her to the blood bin. A blood replacement is called out from her teammates who are not playing, and the game continues. Danny takes a careful seat on the bench while holding her side. Normally, she would have fifteen minutes to reenter the game without it counting against her team, but the game's almost over.