His head snaps to me. “What?!”
“I haven’t told anyone, but Alyssa and Landon know. I won’t be able to play again. With my knee, it’s too risky. If I get reinjured, I could cause permanent damage. My body has hit its limit.
“Shit.”
“It’s why...” I swallow. “It’s why I’ve been like this.”
Andre’s quiet for a moment, and I let my confession settle. “If Oli knew, he?—”
“I know, but not yet.” I take a deep breath, keeping the emotion from clogging my throat. It’s out. I said it and it’s out there now.
I feel a little lighter.
“Putting it off isn’t going to make the reality not real. You need to tell Atlas and Oli. Soon too, because I won’t keep this from Oli forever. I don’t keep things from him.”
“I will... soon.” I need a distraction. I’ll tell them, I will. Just not yet. “I’m in so much fucking pain. I don’t know what the hell they did to me.”
“They’re probably testing that fluid to make sure nothingelse is going on. Not going to lie to you, your knee looks fucking disgusting.” I glare at him. “You’ve got to put the work in. My third year on the Vipers I had a pulled ligament, So I know physical therapy is hell. It gets worse before it gets better. You just have to stick with it and listen to the people around you.”
Shit, I know that.
I look into his back seat at the things we got today. I bought Felix clothes, pajamas, socks, and boxers. I’m not sure about shoes, but I’ll let him tell me if he needs a new pair. I also bought him a phone and a new blanket because who doesn’t love a soft new blanket?
“Thank you for today. For getting these things. I appreciate it.”
“If what you think happened to him happened, I’ll buy him whatever the fuck he needs,” Andre says softly.
I smile at that. “Thank you.”
Andre helps me inside,and we see Felix sitting on the couch. His fingers look like they ran a marathon through his damp hair. The worry on his face pulls at my chest. “There you are.”
“What?”
“I thought... I don’t know. It’s been a while.” Felix looks scared out of his mind. What’s going on with him?
“Please tell me you didn’t call my sister.”
“Almost. I was going to if I hadn’t seen you by one. I’m so sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have—” Gently I place my hands on his shoulders. His lips snap shut, and he takes a breath.
“Relax. Okay? Breathe.” Andre comes in behind me with some of the bags, and he eyes Felix then wiggles hiseyebrows. I bite back the urge to flip him off. “I wanted you to sleep it off. You’re okay. Did you shower?” Felix’s brow furrows but he nods. “Good, showers make everything better.”
Andre comes back in with another bag.
“What’s this?”
“Well, Andre took me to the grocery store to pick up an order so we’ll have food in the house.” Seeing his ribs poke through his pale skin had hit me hard. This man is going to eat. “I also got you some clothes, and a couple of other things you might need.”
“Correction, I got you these things,” Andre says, bringing in more of the bags of clothes. “Don’t let him fool you. I’m spoiling you.”
“You took me and helped shop for them. You didn’t pay for them. And I tipped you and bought you a new coloring book!”
“That you did, but I’m just saying, without me this wouldn’t have been possible. I’m a hero.” Andre claps me on the back. “You two have fun today.” He grins wide. “Soon, Grey. Got it? I won’t keep your secret for long.” Shit.
“Understood.” I need to tell them, and asking Andre to keep my secret isn’t fair. “Thanks again for today.”
“Why? Why are you doing this?” Felix’s brown eyes flash toward the bags Andre brought in. I got him a new wardrobe and comfortable sweats for nighttime. The room has everything he should need in it, but I bought him an extra blanket just in case he wants his own.
“Don’t thank me yet; I’m going to cash in on one of those caregiver favors. I need a bath, but I can barely move from the shit they just did to me at the doctor’s.” I want to soak in my tub, but the problem is getting in and getting out. I’ve hesitated to have one with the other caregivers after I caught one male nursetaking photos of me in it.
