“I know. But it’s so fucking hard watching from the sidelines, wanting to play. We worked all season to get here. And now I’m letting everyone down.”
“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. Sometimes the big guns need a rest and have to let the little ones show what they can do. I know next season you’ll come back bigger and better than ever.”
“Thanks. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Say hi to your mom for me.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I sat in the darkness and could only hope he was telling me the truth. Dev always minimized when he was hurting, shunning any discussion of injuries. He loved the game so much and even gave up his family to follow his dream.
“Nothin’ I can do about it until I see him.” But I sent Ezra and Fallon a quick text to check on him tomorrow, then took a shower.
Momma was waiting for me at a table in the corner of the hotel restaurant. After talking with some fans and the usual pictures and autographs, I reached her and gave her a kiss.
“Sorry I’m late. I was talkin’ to Dev.”
Momma’s brow puckered with worry. “How’s he feelin’? I called him and we talked. He sounded upbeat.”
He would, to her. Dev loved Momma and wouldn’t want her to worry.
“He was. But you know him. He wants to play, and it’s killin’ him that he’s not.” The server came, and I ordered steak and potatoes, while Momma ordered the fish. I wished I could have a beer, but no drinking during playoff season, so it was iced tea for both of us.
“He’ll be back next year. You’ll come home and rest all off-season.”
“I hope so. But there’s a little change of plans. Once the season’s over, we’re gonna go to the cabin and stay there for the winter. Dev’s doctor said he shouldn’t fly, so we’ll come when it starts to get warmer.”
Our salads came, and we ate for a few minutes. Momma wiped her mouth. “Can I ask you somethin’?”
“’Course.” I buttered a roll.
“Do you think Dev’s gonna play again?”
I stared at her. “What’re you talkin’ about?”
She met my eyes. “Don’t get all riled up. It’s just that this is the second bad concussion he’s had, and that can be dangerous. I was readin’ up on it. I know he loves the game, but he’s gotta think of his health, especially long-term.”
Our salad plates were whisked away and the mains brought, but I didn’t even pay attention. “Momma. Dev’s got six months to recover and the best doctors in the world takin’ care of him. He’s gonna go through the concussion protocol and be ready when the season starts. No one’s told him he can’t or shouldn’t play.”
She picked up her fork. “But they don’t care about him like you do. You need to sit and have a real serious talk with each other.”
We ate our meal and sat over coffee. “I think I’ll have plenty of time to see in the off-season how he’s feelin’. But ultimately, it’s his decision. He’s thirty and got a lotta time left to play.” I lifted my coffee cup to drink it while it was still hot.
“I know. But if they say he can’t, where does that leave you?”
Puzzled, I set the cup on the table. “What do you mean?”
“Would you quit playin’ if Dev can’t? I know you love him, but you also have to plan for your own future.”
“Which is with Dev. If he can’t play, he wouldn’t stop me. And if I were the one injured, I wouldn’t prevent him from continuing. We support each other.”
“I hope so.”
“It’ll all work out. Don’t worry. Now I gotta get to bed before I break curfew. The only thing I gotta concentrate on is winning next week’s game.”
I paid the bill and kissed her good night. She was leaving in the morning for New York, where our conference championship would be held, while I’d be traveling with the team. I couldn’t wait, not only because we’d be on home turf, but because Dev would be there to greet us.
The Super Bowl championship had yet to be determined, but it didn’t matter. I’d already won at life.
