It’s dark outside my window. My bedside lamp is on, and the faint light stabs my eyeballs.
“Who’s there?” I call out, my voice rusty.
Asher pokes his head through the half-open door. “You awake? There’s a football team, and they demand to see you.”
His dark hair is standing up in crazy spikes. I wonder if Jax, his nephew, has been tugging on it. Random crazy thoughts.
Wait… Football team? “I’m awake.”
Ash winks and grins like we just shared a joke—a joke on me, probably—and opens the door wide.
In pour several guys, talking in loud voices and laughing. They fall quiet when they see me, and I suddenly wonder what I must look like after days lying in bed.
“Hey, man,” Alonzo says, a tall, black guy who used to be the tailback in the team. I wonder if he’s the quarterback now I’ve left. “Good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too,” I say truthfully. I haven’t seen the guys in months, and I missed them.
They stand around the bed a little awkwardly, all big shoulders and long legs, crowding the already cramped space.
“Coach said you’re coming back to the team,” Jeff, our fullback, a huge blond guy says. “It’s about time. This team sucks without you.”
Martin cuffs him on the head and chuckles. “Yeah, you have to come back, or we’ll be stuck with Jeff taking the lead.”
I smile, then their words sink in. “Coach said I’m coming back?”
“Yeah. He said he got you some funding lined up. You’re starting next semester.” Martin narrows his eyes at me. “Not true?”
“I… Fuck.” I lick my lips and try to sit up. It feels weird to be lying on my back with all of them standing. Alonzo moves to help me, and that’s a good thing as I seem to have no strength left in me.
“Of course he’s coming back,” Jeff says. “Why wouldn’t he? He’s the best.”
Can I go back? My life’s on fucking hold right now, even more so since I fell sick.
Then again, if I’m on my way to recovery and the incessant fatigue of the previous weeks and months goes away… If Tessa forgives me and wants to be my girl… If the boys are okay… I’ll finally fight for all I want and care for.
“Man, we met your chick. She’s hot!” This is Tyson, one of the linebackers.
My eyes narrow. “Hands off. If you so much as think of touching her…”
He lifts his hands, chuckling. Tyson’s not the brightest bulb in the box, and if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay the fuck away from Tessa.
Jeff grabs Tyson in a chokehold and bares his teeth. “Shut your fucking mouth, Tyson. I was hoping Dylan might forget you’re on the team, too.”
“Fuck you,” Tyson mutters, but doesn’t look particularly ruffled.
“We really hope you’ll come back,” Cory says, a quiet guy, linebacker, too. “We’re still Team Dylan, you know.”
Dammit. These guys want to make me tear up just, so they can rib me about it for the rest of my fucking life.
“We brought you chocolates,” Martin says, his face a picture of innocence.
“Oh yeah? You forgot the flowers?” I snap my teeth at him, happy to be distracted.
“Roses. Oh yeah, baby.” Tyson bats his lashes and pouts, and we all dissolve into hysterical laughter. The others attack him and tackle him to the floor, and they roll around cackling.
Nothing like a six-foot-five gorilla with a shaved head making kissy lips to put the universe to rights.
Ash appears at the door, a dark brow lifted at the tangle of bodies on the floor. “Need any help?” he drawls. “Looks like fun.”