“Now I know I’ll get better.” His eyes searched mine. “You’re exhausted. You stayed here all night, didn’t you?”
“Yeah. Me and Momma. A bunch of the guys are outside now, too. I couldn’t leave until I found out what happened to you. Dammit, Dev, I was so worried, sitting out there with no news.” I didn’t want to upset him, but I wanted to know what happened. “I saw your mother.”
Dev’s jaw tightened. “Yeah. She scheduled me in.”
Despite her barely acknowledging my existence, I didn’t want to badmouth her. “C’mon, Dev. She’s here. That counts for something.”
“I don’t want to talk about her.” His eyes twinkled. “Are you gonna dress up in a nurse outfit and take care of me?”
My lips twitched, but I sighed. “I wish I could, but we’re on the road for the next game. You should hire someone—”
The door burst open, and in walked Dev’s mother. Her brows flew up, and her eyes hardened to chips of emerald ice. “Excuse me, but what are you doing here?”
“He came to see me, Mother.”
“Well, he can leave now. You’re being transferred to New York, and our doctors will look over your case to see if they concur with the diagnosis.” She pinned me with a glare. “My son and I have things to discuss, so if you’d please give us some privacy?”
“That’s very rude of you, Mother. Brody is very concerned about my health.”
One thing about the Summerses. They didn’t back off. “That’s nice of him, but it has no bearing on me. Now, I’ve arranged for a plane with medical attention for you. We’ll arrive in New York tonight, and you’ll be home with us for the duration of your recuperation. The doctor said you don’t need to stay in the hospital.”
“What? No. Absolutely not.” A stunned expression crossed Dev’s face, and he struggled to sit up, but paled and sank down on the pillows. My stomach lurched at the sight of him, so weak and hurting.
“You’re injured and in no position to argue. Did you expect to return to your home with no one to look after you? I have Hugo with me. He’ll come to help you.” She met my eyes. “You may leave now. We have this under control. There’s nothing for you to do here.”
On top of the sheets, Dev’s hands curled into fists. “Please don’t speak to Brody like that.”
“All I’m saying is that you have your family here now. You don’t need strangers or anyone else.”
“Brody is no stranger.” Dev reached out a hand to me, but I hesitated. “It’s okay, Brody. I’m not doing this anymore. Maybe a near-death experience changed me, but at least where my family is concerned, no more hiding.”
“Devlin, what’re you talking about? Does your head hurt?” His mother checked her phone. “I left Hugo waiting at the airport to rent a car. I’ll have him go to your hotel room, pack your things, and then we’ll return home.” She pursed her lips. “The sooner we leave here, the better.”
“My head doesn’t hurt, Mother. It’s just time you knew the truth.”
“The truth?” Her eyes narrowed. “Truth about what?”
Dev wiggled his fingers to me, and with my heart pounding, I put my hand in his and watched his mother’s eyes blow wide open and her lips part in shock. “I’m gay, Mother. Brody and I have been together for years.” His grip on my hand tightened, and I could feel him trembling despite the bravery of his words. “Matter of fact, we’re married.”
“You’re lying,” she whispered, her gaze darting between the two of us, landing on our entwined hands.
“No. I’m not. We’ve hidden it from the public for reasons that should be obvious, but as mymother, I’m sure you’d want to know that I’m happy and in a loving relationship.”
She licked her lips. “I had no idea…you never…you don’t…but you play football,” she finally burst out.
“Yeah,” Dev joked. “Imagine that.” His tone became serious. “I only told you this because Brody deserves full access to my personal life, health records included. Whatever the doctors tell you, you’re to tell Brody.”
She clasped her hands and directed the full force of those laser sharp eyes on me.Damn. Momma was right. Not cold. Arctic. “I’d like to speak with my son. In private, please.”
“No. Don’t go.” Dev lifted his chin. “I told you, Mother. Whatever you can say to me, you can say to the two of us.”
At the knock on the door, I dropped his hand and moved away. The doctor poked his head in. “Mrs. Summers, I have the paperwork for your son’s discharge.” His brows drew together when he spotted me. “How did you get in here?”
I remained silent and looked to Dev. He nodded to me before he closed his eyes. “I’m tired. I’d like to rest, please.”
“I’ll talk to you soon. Get better, Dev.” I left the room and returned to the waiting area.
The others had gone, but Momma remained. She sat with her head bowed and only raised it as I came near.
