“Yeah. For me, too. I’m glad I didn’t see him have a seizure or pass out. We were on our way to the locker room when it happened. I’ve never had to see my brother in the hospital. It’s always been him visiting me. I prefer the other way. Used to my strong big brother, you know?” He ducked his head so I couldn’t see his tears.
“I know.” I squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. “It hurt to see him on the ground, almost worse to see him on the stretcher. I’ve encouraged him to be open-minded about not going into the draft. Maybe this happened, so we remember that this is a dangerous sport and respect his decision.”
“Me and Mama were saying the same thing. Whatever he wants to do, we’ll respect it too.” Chase looked over his shoulder at Danielle, who chose a seat on the other side of the lobby togive us privacy. He teased with a sly grin like his brother. “Do you have another sister? Preferably single.”
“No. I have a couple of cousins your age.” I laughed and pushed his shoulder playfully.
“Hook a brother up. Maybe invite me to your graduation party in the spring.” His grin was so charming and infectious that I always wanted to be his big sister. I liked Carter’s family, too.Why did Carter have to fuck around with Chelsea?
Their mother walked through the swinging doors with puffy eyes and a red nose, beckoning me once she noticed me. “Come on, Stank wants to see you. We’ll be here for a while, and he’s already getting antsy about going home. Maybe he’ll calm down once you’re with him. I need him to stop rushing the doctors to discharge him and let them do their job.”
“I can go back there?” I asked timidly, suddenly scared to see him. I was scared my anger would spew like hot lava when this wasn’t the time or place.
“He’s not in critical condition. Girl, of course, you can see him. You’re practically family now, and I can talk to your ass like I do my kids,” Ms. St. Patrick scolded teasingly.
I glanced at my sister, who nodded, and I followed his mother through the heavy double doors. The closer we approached his room, the more my stomach rumbled, and I feared another vomiting episode. This time, it could be the baby and nerves.
“Luckily, there’s no more seizure activity. Think he’s going to be fine. Prayers work,” his mother exclaimed as we walked down the hall.
When his mother opened the door to his room and stepped inside, I touched my stomach protectively as I entered. I steeled myself. I was prepared to be hurt, angry, and devastated. I didn't expect happiness when I met his loving gaze. All I saw was my chocolate dream. The Carter I’d fallen madly in love with. TheCarter who’d become my friend and lover and I hurried to his bedside. He opened his arms as far as the IV would allow, and I embraced him without reservation.
“Mama, give us a moment.” His deep voice rumbled against my ear, resting on his chest. He’d been changed into a hospital gown because of all the tests conducted on him.
“Okay,” his mother replied quietly.
As his mother gave us privacy, I held on to him tight because to let go then, I’d have to deal with reality. A reality I may never be able to handle. I wanted to pretend I knew nothing. I was just a girlfriend checking on her boyfriend at the hospital.
“I’m going to be fine, baby. Everything looks good. The doctor thinks my pressure may have been elevated too high with everything going on, which might have caused the seizures. Not going to lie. I was scared as piss that I hurt worse than I thought. Scared I wouldn’t be able to play anymore. Just scared of so much. But not anymore. I’m not scared of anything. You were right.”
“About what?” I mumbled against his chest.
“I was scared of success and what would happen once I made it to the NFL. The thought of being unable to play at all struck me, no pun and pun intended. So, I got to play while I still can. I can always get a job as a veterinarian or open my own animal hospital after I retire. Once I get a clean bill of health, I’m going into the draft. Just told my mother, and now, I’m telling you. I want to play in the NFL, and I want you by my side on this next chapter of my life.”
I squeezed him tighter to avoid saying something I would regret or not mean.
He rubbed my back. “I know we still have to talk and work out everything, but I’m actually excited about our future.”
I could hear the expectation that we would be good even though he fucked my best friend, and I could no longer holdmy tongue. I stood back up and folded my arms. “I know what happened, Carter, and I doubt we’ll ever be fine again.”
Carter’s face fell, and his shoulders dropped. I almost relented at seeing the joy drain from him that quickly, but my own pain wouldn’t allow me to drop it.
“How could you ever think we’d been fine again? You slept with my best friend.”
He implored, “I guess I thought that we would be okay because whatever happened was before you. I didn’t know you and her were roommates until the night before your birthday.”
“My birthday? Is that the real reason your ass didn’t come over until the next day because you were having sex with her?” I yelled.
He quickly grabbed my hand. “Shh...please. No. I was telling the truth about that night. I haven’t been with her since you and I started hanging out. I thought I might have left my phone at home that night before your birthday. I saw her walking out of your apartment toward the beach when I opened my door. Thought maybe she was fucking around with Grey. It wasn’t until you introduced me to her that I realized you were roommates and best friends. I didn’t know what to do, especially when I worried Grey would eventually tell you he asked me to be nice to you. He didn’t know I was already crushing on you. That I’d already planned to approach you. I’ve been trying to prove I’m worthy of you since your birthday because I need you to believe I love you and that I would never willingly or intentionally hurt you.”
I held my hand up. “Whoa, what do you mean he asked you to be nice to me? Did Grey put you up to date me?”
“Should’ve figured he wouldn’t tell you his part in this. I thought you knew everything,” he grumbled.
Shit. Shit. I thought I did, too.
