“She’s cool, Coach,” Isaac said. “That’s my fucking sister and his girl.”
Coach’s eyes squinted as he looked at me. “Lil Eli? My fault, baby girl. I didn’t recognize you with your hair covered under that hat. Usually, I can spot you just off that.”
I’d flat ironed my hair for a change, but I’d gotten tired of it being on my neck, so I put it in a low bun and put on a hat. I smiled but kept my attention on Falcon as he walked down the hall with the help of their medical team. He was scrunched over with a grimace on his face.
“Are you okay, Fally?” I asked as he struggled to pull in a breath.
“Yeah. Got the wind knocked out of me, and my ribs are sore as fuck, but I’m good.”
“We’re gonna take him to the hospital. Make sure he doesn’t have a concussion and broken ribs,” a man I didn’t recognize said.
“Nah. Just let me rest for a minute. I’m straight.”
“Look, bruh. I know we ain’t really fucking with each other like that, but you need to go and check on yourself,” Isaac said. “If your ribs are broken and you take another hit, you’ll do moredamage. I know you ain’t tryna sit out for the season, so sit out the rest of the game and go see about yourself.”
Falcon groaned and shook his head. His eyes locked on mine, as if he was pleading for me to take his side, but I cared about his health more than anything else.
“Junior is right, baby. Please go to the hospital and see about yourself.”
Falcon huffed and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, and as much as I didn’t want to, I laughed. Coach made the call, and Falcon agreed to go to the hospital.
Isaac went with me to the locker room, and I grabbed Falcon’s personal belongings. I felt his phone vibrating, and I was sure it was his aunt or uncle. As I reached for it in his bag, Isaac said, “You really care about him, huh?”
“Duh. I love him. I told you that.”
“Fuck!” he roared, pounding his fist against his palm. “I guess I have no choice but to accept this. But if y’all relationship comes between the team?—”
“Isaac, respectfully, fuck the team. If you want to be in my life, you can, but you’re gonna have to consistently treat me right. I want nothing to do with your father, and if you can’t accept that, stay away from me. Also, you can’t tell me what to do or who I can be with. You also can’t control me because you think you’re all I have. If you ever say some shit like that to me again . . .”
“I won’t, baby love. I’m truly sorry for that. I can admit Senior got in my head and I fucked up. I’ll make it up to you, but I gotta get back out there. I’ma see you after the game, aight?”
I nodded and accepted Jake’s call, letting him know we’d switched gears and were heading back out so Falcon could go to the hospital. They said they’d meet us there, even though Falcon insisted they stay and watch the game. I think he was surprised they cared more about him than the game, which was weird,because they loved and cared about him. It was in that moment I realized how little Falcon allowed his family to show their love and care, which made me even happier that they were getting closer now. If Veronica was right and I had something to do with that, I’d be grateful to God for the influence of my love.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Falcon
Forgetmy social battery being low, that junt had left my body and refused to be recharged. As soon as the game was over, the whole team came through. My family was here along with Eli, who hadn’t left my side. It was one visit after another, and while I appreciated the love, it was starting to overwhelm me. By the time Coach and Isaac came in, I just wanted to be left the fuck alone.
Groaning, I shook my head as they entered the room. Eli giggled and stood, then gave me a kiss. I didn’t mind her being amused at my expense. Anything to keep that pretty smile on her beautiful face.
“Do you want me to get rid of them, baby?” she asked, gently stroking my hand.
“Nah. Let me at least thank this nigga before I put them out. I’m sicka people.”
She laughed but I was serious.
“How you feeling?” Coach asked while Isaac stayed behind.
“Fine. Sore but it ain’t shit I can’t handle.”
“What is the doctor saying?”
“My ribs aren’t broken, but two have minor fractures. I’m out for the next two games.”
“Shit. Okay. That’s better than a few weeks.”
