1
BRANDON
Everything happens for a reason.
But there is no good reason in the entire universe as to why my best friend is lying in a hospital bed with a season-ending injury while I am free to play.
Why?
Because I am to blame.
We have barely uttered a word since. His injury is not the only reason he won’t take my calls. In the days leading up to the game, I confessed I was secretly with his sister, so he despised me before that game.
Now, multiply his bitterness a thousand times, and that’s where our friendship stands.
Despite everything, he is my best friend. And since moving to the US, his family has been my family. They have taken me in as one of their own, and when I can’t fly home to Australia to see my family at Christmas, his mom even buys me one of those ugly knitted sweaters to wear, alongwith her other sons. Christmas is only weeks away, and Mrs. Hendricks expects me to attend.
Right now, I need to apologize to Byron and make peace with him so the family can enjoy Christmas without the hostility. Before knocking on his hospital room door, I swipe the text messages from Charlotte to see if I’m missing anything.
Please visit Byron. He needs his best friend.
I doubt I’m the one he wants to see the day after his surgery, but I care about him like a brother.
Knock. Knock.
A nurse opens the door. “You can enter now,” she barks. “Mr. Hendricks required more pain relief,” she says as she hurries away.
“Thanks.”
I peer around her to see Byron’s face, a pale gray, sickly color. “Hey.” I place the chocolates I had sent from Australia to give him for Christmas on his bedside table. “Thought you might appreciate these now.”
His eyes track me as I move to the other side of the room and sit in the chair beside him.
“You look like shit, bro,” I say to lighten the mood.
He slowly closes his eyes and reopens them. “Feel a whole lot fucking worse than what I look,” he mumbles. “Thanks to you.”
I flinch, but I shouldn’t be surprised. I nod slowly. “I’m so sorry, man. It should never have happened.”
“You distracting me so my opponent took me down or are we talking about Charlotte?” His eyes darken with disgust.
Family is off-limits.
It’s what he told the team, and the person who should have understood the most was his best friend. Byron hasnever liked surprises, despises liars even more, and the two people he trusted most deceived him.
He’ll come around and understand we love each other. But just being here is making him angry, and I can’t see that happening any time soon.
I revert to it being about basketball. “I shouldn’t have called for the ball. I knew it wasn’t the play Coach setup for us. But I was free, and I didn’t think Jye could shake the defense to get the pass…”
“You wanted to be the fucking hero,” he spits.
I bow my head. “In a fucked-up way, yeah, I did. If I hit the shot, I thought Coach would believe in me. Charlotte and you could see I’m ready to step up. I have stepped up,” I say calmly.
“Stop making this aboutyou.” Byron plops his head back on the bed as though he’s exhausted. He closes his eyes and wraps his hands protectively over his stomach.
“I’m sorry. It’s not why I came here. You need rest, and I wanted to say sorry. Again! In person.” His eyes remain closed. “Ask for your approval to see Lottie because we love each other.”Shit! That came out as a demand.
Byron turns his head and glares at me. My chest tightens, knowing whatever he says next will not be good. “It’s not about Lottie and you,” he roars. “You were someone I trusted. Both of you were. So don’t give me bullshit excuses. And I don’t give two fucks what you two do now.” His pale face grimaces, and he reaches with both hands to grab his thigh.Shit, he’s in pain.“What I’m pissed about is that I’m lying here because you didn’t listen to Coach. You made me out as an asshole on the court. It wasn’t about you scoring in my position. You heard the play Coach wanted, and I called it. Then you distracted me, and here I am. Why didn’t you set a screen, man? You talk about me, but you’re aselfish bastard, and I’m here because ofyou!” He yells the final blow, lays back deflated, and closes his eyes.
