Nina was off limits, and anybody who even thought they could have his girl was going to have a problem, and Jio had never been above solving problems permanently.
η
Nina walkedthrough the private wing of the same hospital where she was born. She’d grown up with the children of all the big-named doctors who worked here. On her way to check on her friend, she’d been stopped by several familiar faces whom she hadn’t seen since her Jack and Jill days. She would bet her newChanelbag that her mom would be calling her by the end of the day, most likely thrilled and over the moon that she’d visited Kobie without having to be asked.
She could hear highlights of ESPN replaying his injury over and over. His door was cracked open, but she still knocked twice before entering.
“It’s me…. Nina.”
He looked up as she came closer.
She’d never seen him without a smile on his face. His mood seemed dampened, which was totally to be expected. Nina instantly grew sad.
Was this her fault? Is Jio to blame?So many questions without answers.
Kobie sat against the pillows looking exhausted. “Hey,” his voice low.
His knee was wrapped in layers of gauze and it looked like it would hurt to move it.
Nina held up the flowers awkwardly. “I brought you my favorites.”
“Ima tulip type of nigga but thank you anyway.”
“Who would’ve thought,” she teased.
He laughed softly before wincing in pain.
She placed the flowers on a table.
“I appreciate you for stopping by. You didn’t have to come. I know how busy you are.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Nah.” His eyes stayed on her. “Not for real.”
Nina ignored his comment and sat in the chair beside the bed.
“How do you feel?”
He shrugged. “Angry…”
“What is the doctor saying?” she questioned.
“Torn ACL probably.”
Her face fell instantly.
“Oh no…”
“Yep, the season is over for me. I’m praying my career not too.”
The pain in his voice made her chest ache.
Not because she loved him or anything crazy like that, but she understood ambition. Football was his dream. His passion and his purpose. She could only imagine what it felt like to watch everything you worked so hard to have just pause suddenly.
“I’m sorry.”
Kobie stared at the floor before looking into her eyes. “Can I tell you something?”
