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“Holden. Stop ignoring me and everybody else. For the love of God. You’re being a jerk. We’re your team, and we’re worried about you. We care. Call us back. Tate said you’ve been ghosting him, and that isn’t cool. He’s your friend. And I’m your doctor, so if you don’t call me back or answer one of my texts soon, I’m going to hunt you down. Fair warning. The only reason I haven’t yet is because I’m getting regular updates from the surgeon and Osric. But that’s not enough anymore. It’s time for us to talk and for me to do my damn job.”
She blew a kiss at the screen. Actually kissed her fingers and then blew on her palm.
Smartass.
Somehow, I felt both chastised, made fun of, and turned on all at the same time. She stopped the video, and I couldn’t help but smile. I should probably call her back. But I wasn’t sure I was ready yet.
Just as I was about to put the phone down, it buzzed again. This time with a call. I looked at the readout and felt a little sick. I saw a name that had all kinds of emotions swirling in me—both good and bad. Before the call could end, I tapped the screen to accept.
“Hey, buddy.”
“Hey, yourself,” Jayce Lawson, star quarterback for Seattle, said. He was my nemesis and one of my best friends.
Nearly thirteen years ago, Jayce had come into Seattle as my backup. Then, he promptly—and way too easily—took my job. He only worked under me for two years before the team handed him the reins. It ended up being a blessing in disguise, however, since my style of play lent itself much better to Baltimore’s offense. In our time together in Washington, we developed a bond that I had not been able to establish with many since. Jayce had been through a lot with me. Culminating in me losing my job—ironically, to him. Even so, he was there to congratulate me when I brought home my first and second and third Lombardi trophies to Baltimore. Sure, we were rivals, but we were also brothers. And I loved the dude.
“So, hiding from the world, huh?” Jayce said, the smirk evident in his voice.
“Not hiding.” I put the phone on speaker, sat it in my lap, and rolled myself away from the counter and over to the windows. “Just screening my calls.”
“Ah, so I should feel special, then? I’m touched. Really, though, man. How’s it going?”
“I dunno. It’s all bullshit, you know? It fucking sucks. I should be in the training center right now. Yet here I am, stuck on my ass, not even sure if I’ll be able to walk again normally or raise my arm, let alone throw.”
I heard Jayce suck his teeth on the other end of the line and move around a bit. “I can’t even imagine, Holden. I’m so sorry, dude. I know they’re hollow words, but they’re the truth. I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now. But I hope you know I’m here for you. Unless you want to borrow my car. Then, we might have to negotiate. I mean, I’ve seen you drive.”
I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips. The guy drove like a grandma. I mean, what was the point of owning a six-figure sports car if you were going to drive it like the lead car in a funeral procession?
“You just don’t want your car to fall in love with me and leave you to settle out east. Speaking of sassy things with drool-worthy curves, how’s Miranda?”
I heard a chuckle. “You’re lucky I like you, or I’d have to hop on the jet and head over to beat your ass for even thinking about my gorgeous wife’s curves.” He swallowed as if taking a drink of something. “She’s good. Working hard as usual, both at the hospital and at home with Erin and Zoey.”
“That’s great to hear, man. I miss you guys. It’s been a while since we were able to get together. How’s the rest of the Lawson clan?”
“Everybody’s awesome. It feels like the family’s growing every year, and like most things in life, nothing’s ever easy, but we’re all great. I think almost everybody’s heading down to Miami for the big game. We can all get together then.”
The reminder was like a punch to the gut, and I physically felt the air leave my lungs in a whoosh. I had to take a deep breath and try to get myself under control before I responded. “I’m still not sure if I’ll be allowed to go. The damage was pretty extensive. The surgeries went well, but…” I took another breath and rubbed a hand over my chest. “We just don’t know.”
I heard Jayce sigh. “Aw, bro. I’m… I had no idea. What’re the docs saying?”
I ran a hand over my face, my whiskers scratching my palm, reminding me that I should really shave at some point. “Not much, really. The ortho says things are progressing well. As for the others, I just got settled at home a few days ago and I haven’t worked up the balls to talk to them yet. See my aforementioned ‘screening my calls’ comment.”
Jayce snorted. “Don’t be a pussy. You’re one of the most beastly guys I know. Talk to the docs. If anyone can beat this, it’s you. I know it. Besides, I saw the article in the Post. That injury management doc is a hottie.”
I huffed a laugh through my nose. “That she is. And takes no bullshit. You should have seen her with Morrison last season. I swear, I think she was a drill sergeant in a previous life. But she’s a softie, too. I’ve seen the way she is with some of her charges. You can’t help but like her. Though when it comes to her job, she’s tiny but fierce, that’s for sure. I’m not gonna lie, she kinda scares me.”
“I have one of those at home. And I love her more than life itself.” Jayce paused and I could tell that he was gearing up to say something. “In all seriousness, Hold, listen to the doctors. Do whatever they tell you to do and do it like it’s fourth and goal with five seconds left. You’re way too important to too many people.”
“Yeah, so important they replaced me in less than a minute with a fetus.”
“Holden…” Jayce admonished. “Give Mackey a break, he’s a great QB. And he’s not a baby. He’s not even a rookie. He learned from the best. You. I mean, he’s not you. And he’s definitely not me,”—he chuckled—“but dude can play. He may even give me a run for my money in a couple of weeks. Sure, I should be playing against you, but such is the suck of life. But you’re gonna bounce back from this. You still have a great career ahead of you somewhere.”
“That’s just it. I don’t know if I do. Yeah, when all the retirement talk was happening, there were veiled offers for a job with Fox and another with ESPN. And a couple of teams made it pretty clear they wanted me to interview for jobs in the office, but I don’t know what I want. Football is it for me. Getting to the big game this year and beating your sorry ass was the thing within my sights. Now, I don’t know. And I’m not sure I care.”
“Do not make me come over there and kick your ass. You care. You care too much. That’s why this hurts so damn bad. Just do your rehab. Kick this thing’s ass and get back in the saddle. I think the family knows a good yogi in Oregon you can talk to. I mean, you’d totally rock a pair of those harem pants and a pretty mala.”
A loud laugh burst free, as I was sure Jayce intended. “Never gonna happen. But I can at least check my messages for calls and texts from the medical team. That’s all I can promise for right now.”
“It’s enough,” Jayce said. “Aw, shit. Miranda’s calling. I should probably call her back and make sure everything’s okay. Take care of yourself, Hold. You know where to find me if you need anything. Just not the playbook. I mean, now that you’re not fronting the team, I think we actually have a chance of bringing that trophy back to Seattle where it belongs.” I heard the cocky grin in his voice. “But, seriously, I’m here. Call anytime.”
