Page 43 of A Sky Full Of Stars

Thomas

Another reporter catches me off guard, and just like I’ve said to all the others, I repeat my formal statement…

“There is no truth to the rumors surrounding my family. Anything you may have heard or read about my relationship with my family, in particular my sister, is fallacious and should be ignored. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by a loving and supportive community, and I’d appreciate it if we did not subject them to harassment and lies simply because I’m in the public eye. I will be making no further comments on this matter. Thank you.”

Or something similar.

I would love nothing more than to tell them all to fuck off and mind their own goddamn business. Instead, I have to be a professional. I can’t afford not to be. But God, am I ready to throw punches.

This bullshit with my family has been following me around for years. Some days I think I’ve spent more time fighting off rumors than I have playing football, and I’m almost at my breaking point.

I’m not even a part of the goddamn drama, and yet, I seem to be suffering while Summer lives her life as though nothinghappened, staying close to home but neveroncetalking to me about it.

And God, that hurt.

What started as something my family kept quiet, changed over the years as more people noticed the rift between us, and more people formed an opinion. But rather than setting the story straight, Summer continued to flaunt her ways, keeping us in the spotlight. Keeping the whispers going.

It’s been three years. I’ve moved states. I’m hundreds of miles away, and that period of my life still haunts me. I don’t even know the full story, but I’ve learned some truths that, to this day, I wish I’d never found out. I wish I’d never been caught up in it—that my parents had never involved me. That Summer had never involved me. I don’t want to hate her. She was my little sister. Sheismy little sister.But how do I get past what she’s done with no apparent remorse?

Moving to Seattle was supposed to change all of that for me. Growing up, it was my dream to play for San Francisco. They were my team. But after everything we went through, I needed to get out of California, away from everyone and anyone that knew us.

I needed a clean slate.

Being signed by Seattle was a blessing. Everything I could have asked for. But, of course, my nightmare followed me.

Now, once again, I’m forced to do anything I can to cope.

“You coming out tomorrow night?” my teammate Adam asks, catching up to me on our way outside.

I put on a smile and laugh. “Do you really think I’d miss it?”

No matter how fucked-up my head is, no one needs to know my business. Ever. I tried to talk to someone once…and it fucked me up even more.

The good thing about Adam is he never asks.

Like me, he’s a rookie. But unlike me, he hasn’t really made a lot of friends on the team. He’s nice enough, but a little shy and not as sure of himself as the rest of us are. But he’s a hell of a player, and it’s easy to see why he’s here.

“I have to fly out early for Thanksgiving,” I continue as we walk, ignoring the dread working its way into the pit of my stomach. “But I can sleep on the plane. I’m ready for a big night.”

“I doubt you’ll need to sleep. No matter how much you drink, you always seem to bounce back like it’s nothing.”

I huff out a laugh, though I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. “I’ve just figured out the perfect remedy for a hangover.”

“Please share it with the group.” He laughs, just as our quarterback rushes past, jumping into his truck so quickly I almost call out after him.

“Do you think his wife went into labor?” I ask despite knowing Adam doesn’t have the answer.

Adam’s eyes flash toward Colton driving away, his expression puzzled. “Maybe.” He nods, his voice light. “Or maybe not.” His shoulders drop before he gives me a shrug and walks toward his car, leaving before I’ve answered his earlier question.

I hold back a laugh as Adam throws me a wave over his head, and then my gaze follows Colton as he disappears out of sight.I hope everything’s okay.

From the moment I get to the bar the next night, I’ve got a drink in my hand and an endless number of congratulations thrown my way.

It didn’t take long to find out if Colton’s wife was in labor. I was called back to talk to the coaches before I’d even left theparking lot. She wasn’t in labor, but there are complications with her pregnancy, and while she’s okay for now, they’re monitoring the baby. She’s not due for another two weeks, but Colton asked to be rested for our upcoming away game to stay close to home.

And they want me to start.

Me. A rookie.

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