Page 72 of Holding On

"He's just trying to help, man."

"By pressuring me?" I huff. "Real fuckin' helpful."

"He's not pressuring you. He just wants to see how you're doing. You know he cares about his team."

"I'm not on his team. Not anymore."

"You're still part of the team. You can still throw the ball."

"Lot a good that does me. I can't run. Can't even walk."

"How soon before you're off the crutches?"

"I don't know yet. I just started using them last week." I hate talking about this so I change the subject. "So what else is new?"

"Not much. I'm having a party when I get back into town. Did Jackson tell you?"

"Yeah, he mentioned it."

"The whole team's invited. You better show up. And bring your new girlfriend."

"Jackson told you about Becca?"

"Yeah." He chuckles. "He said you were in love. I told him he's fuckin' nuts."

"He's just being an idiot. I'm not in love. I've only known her a week." And yet I already feel closer to her than I've ever felt to anyone else.

"He said she's your maid."

"She's just doing that until she goes back to school."

As I say it, someone knocks on the door. Becca must've got off a few minutes early.

"Derek, I gotta go. Becca's here."

"Late night booty call?" He laughs. "Leave it to Ethan Baxter to get laid even with a broken leg."

It's not worth telling him that's not what this is. He wouldn't understand. To him, dating is about sex and nothing else.

"I'll talk to you later," I say as I open the door for Becca.

"Yeah, bye. And hey, don't forget my party. You've gotta at least show up for an hour or two."

I end the call and smile at Becca, trying not to laugh at her red and white plaid uniform. It looks like she's wearing a tablecloth. And yet she still looks hot, her hair in a ponytail, the dress showing off her legs.

"Hey." I give her a kiss.

She pushes me away. "Don't get too close. I smell like chicken."

"I told you, I love fried chicken." I kiss her again.

"Good, because I brought you some leftovers." She holds up a paper sack. "Fried chicken, biscuits, and potato salad."

"You didn't have to do that."

She shrugs. "You kept saying how much you like their food and you never go there so I thought I'd bring you some."

"Thanks."

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