Page 100 of For Emery

A silence passed between us.

“The press is making it out to look like he’s a loose cannon who went looking for a fight,” she said.

I closed my eyes for a long moment, unable to hide my regret. “I know.”

“What about football?” she asked.

I shook my head, wondering if this was the moment it would occur to her that I was the reason Jordan’s life had been turned upside down.

“He must be devastated.”

I nodded. “But I think I know how you can help.”

* * *

I awoke to a dark room. My phone vibrated on the nightstand beside my head. My heart raced as I reached over and grabbed it. The time read two o’clock and an unfamiliar number lit up the screen. I tapped on the screen and lifted the phone to my ear, whispering so not to wake Raquel. “Hello?”

It was silent on the other end.

A shiver rushed through me. “Hello?” I repeated.

“Em?” Jordan said.

I pulled in a sharp breath. “Jordan. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

Knowing better than to apologize to him yet again, I said the only thing I could in that moment. “I miss you.”

Silence.

Shit. “Did you need something?” I asked, treading carefully.

There was a long pause before he spoke. “Just wanted to hear your voice.”

Pained by his words, I closed my eyes tightly. “You can call me any time.”

Silence.

I didn’t want to push him, but I needed him to know I was there for him. “Will I see you soon?”

There was another long pause before he spoke. “Good night, Em.”

Dammit.

It took everything in me, but I willed back the tears that were ready to fall as I sat with the phone to my ear, knowing he’d hung up.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Grady

I told myself not to watch. I tried to stay distracted. But right at kick-off time, I switched on the game.

I needed to see if we kicked the shit out of Louisville.

With each passing minute, I moved closer toward the television as if I could actually reach through the screen and block for Flip who’d been sacked twice in the first half. I wanted to clear a path for our running back who found no way through Louisville’s defense.

At half time, we were down by two touchdowns. I switched off the television. I didn’t like watching us lose, especially without me there. I wanted my team to look good out there despite my absence. Down deep, though, I knew they needed me.

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