Page 91 of Holding On

"The Chadwick?"

"Yeah. I've only been there once. I thought it smelled like mothballs, but it's really old so maybe it's just old building smell."

"Shit," he mutters.

"What's wrong?"

"The media stays at the Chadwick when they're in town. So do the scouts."

"Yeah? So? They're not in town right now. It's the middle of summer."

"But the staff knows them. Someone on staff could see me and tell the media."

"Ethan, I still don't get this. You're recovering from a broken leg. Everyone knows it takes time to heal."

"Reality and what people want to see are two different things. It's all about appearances. I have to appear strong, like I'm ready to hit the football field any day now."

"But that's not possible. The accident was in May. And didn't you have surgery?"

"Yes, but like I said, that doesn't matter. People still expect to see the old Ethan. The one who kicks ass on the football field and wins games, not the one with a cast on his leg, hobbling around on crutches."

"So you aren't gonna go tomorrow?"

"I don't think I can. I'm sorry, Becca. I really am. If it was anywhere else, then I could go and be okay with it, but the Chadwick is too risky."

"Maybe I could get her to change the location."

"Then you'll have to explain why." He runs his hand up and down my arm in a soft, soothing way, knowing how anxious I am about this brunch. "I'll tell you what. If your mom's driving you nuts, text me and I'll give you a call and come up with some reason why you need to leave."

"I can't leave Mike with her. He'll agree to whatever she says and then I'll be stuck doing whatever he agrees to."

"Then stay, and if your mom tries to talk you guys into something you don't want to do, call me. I'll make sure you don't agree to it. I'm good at keeping people on track. It's part of being a quarterback. If one of my guys gets distracted it's my job to get him back to where he needs to be. I'll do the same for you."

Everyone always says Ethan's such a great quarterback and I thought they meant because he can throw the ball, but I think they also meant that he knows how to lead a team. He has this way about him that makes you want to do what he says, which is probably how I ended up in his bed again. Actually, that's not true. He didn't need to convince me. The thought was in my head the moment he showed up at my door.

We watch a movie, then fall asleep. In the morning, I get up at eight and kiss Ethan goodbye and go back to my apartment. When I get there, I find that it's empty. So Mike spent the night with Heather. I'm a little surprised he did that. He normally doesn't move that fast.

I take a quick shower, then search my closet for something to wear. My wardrobe mostly consists of jeans and t-shirts, but I do have a couple skirts and dresses. I decide on a black sleeveless dress I've had forever. It's simple and classic and something my mom won't complain about. She's very picky about clothes. When I was a kid, she'd iron my clothes for school, even though they'd be wrinkled by the time I made it there.

"Hey," Mike says, coming through the front door. He looks ready to go in dress pants and a dress shirt. "When you'd get home?"

"About a half hour ago. Were you at Heather's?"

"Yeah. She had a leaky faucet so I went down to look at it. I'll fix it when I get back."

"She could just call the landlord."

"He won't fix it on a Sunday. I'll just do it myself."

"Did you stay there last night?"

He hesitates and glances away from me. "Yeah."

"It's not a crime, you know. I don't care if you stay with her, if that's what you're worried about."

"It's not that. It's..."

"What? You think it's too soon?"

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