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With a slap on the shoulder, he leaves, a few of our teammates in tow.
Letting out a shaky breath, I look up. My leg has finally stopped shaking, and the pain somewhat dulled, although still present. Always present.
Slowly, I push to my feet and take off my clothes before making my way to the showers. Pain shoots through my leg with every step I take, my leg dragging behind me.
As quickly as possible, I rinse off the sweat, grass, and dirt and return to the locker room, towel wrapped around my waist. The room has finally emptied out, leaving only the blessed quiet.
Finally.
Limping back to my spot, I roam around my bag until I find the little bottle I have stashed inside. Taking a glance around the room to make sure I’m indeed alone, I grab the needle, stick it into the bottle, and pull the liquid out before injecting it into my thigh. I feel the sting as the needle pierces the skin, pushing the liquid inside.
It’s worth it.
The team has made it to the playoffs.
Just a few more weeks. I only have to survive a few more weeks—a few games.
For Gabriel, and the promise I made him.
“Prescott?”
My body freezes at the sound of my name.
Shit.
Shit, shit, shit.
My heart thunders in my chest as I slowly lift my head to find Jade standing in the doorway, her wide eyes zeroed in on my leg. The needle in my hand. “What are you doing?”
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
JADE
“What are you doing, Prescott?” I repeat, looking up from the needle stuck in his leg to his face.
What the hell is going on here?
That night a couple of weeks back, just after my first round of chemo, flashes in my mind again. I thought I was seeing things—that it was all in my head—but apparently, I wasn’t.
Prescott only stares at me, eyes wide, lips parted.
“Jade, I—” His tongue darts out, sliding over his lips as he looks around, searching for an out.
Screw this.
I march toward him, grabbing the bottle off the bench.
“No, don’t…” He tries to reach for it, but it’s already too late. I turn my back to him, pulling the bottle out of his reach as I scan the label on the front.
“Steroids?” I turn around instantly, my eyes wide as my fingers grip the almost empty bottle. “You’re taking steroids?”
“Jade, I can explain.”
“Explain? Okay, then explain it to me. Because the only thing that comes to my mind is, what the hell, Prescott?”
“It’s just…” He runs his palm over his face. “It’s been hard, okay?”
I stare at him, unsure if I heard him correctly. “Hard? That’s the best you’ve got? It’s been hard?”
