Page 134 of It's Always Us

I glance around my truck. I don’t even have a way to bring them home.

Enough is enough. Times up.

I twist the key, and my truck rumbles to life. I fasten my seatbelt, tap Mark’s contact, and then the speaker button.

It rings five times, and then the voicemail picks up as I pull out of the doctor’s parking lot. I’m tempted to hang up and dial again, but I don’t. I let the recording play, having no idea what to say.

The tone beeps.

“Hey. I need to talk to you.” I pause, needing air. The pressure of this imminent conversation overtaking my emotions. I swallow hard, trying to keep a clear head.

“I’m leaving the doctor’s office. I thought you might want to know . . . ” I blow out a breath as the weight of these past weeks fills my eyes, and thefear I’ve been actively ignoring roars to life. I blink rapidly, needing them to retreat immediately.

“I know you’re angry and . . . Please call me.” My voice breaks despite my best efforts. “I can’t . . . I can’t do this by myself.”

The truth. I can’t do it without him. “I need you here.” It’s all I can manage.

I don’t want to have these babies without him. I don’t want to sit and face Linda’s consequences alone. I want to tell Bree that Mark and I will never let her be scared again. I want him here with me. I need him . . . for the rest of my life.

“I’m so sorry.” I sniff, swiping at my cheeks. “Please . . . just—”

Out of the corner of my eye, there’s a flash, and then—blood and pain, and everythinggoes black.

Chapter 41

MARK

I lace up my cleats and toss my sweatshirt on top of my gear.

I stretch my arm, ready to work. I’ll show this crew what I can do.

Sean’s words race through my head. Get a decent deal, and then get to Ohio. That’s exactly what I’m going to do and Lex doesn’t get a say this time.

I warm up, tossing balls to a trainer. The sky is gray, and there’s a chill in the air, but the slight breeze is invigorating.

My blood pumps faster as my fingers find the laces. I’ve missed this. I just need my shoulder to prove my worth.

“All right, let’s set it up,” one of the offensive coordinator directs. “Show us if you’ve still got it, Sandberg.”

The receiver takes off. I cock my arm, release the ball, and it makes contact. The receiver jogs back and sets up again. He runs to the corner, turns at the twenty-yard mark, and the ball drops right into his hands.

We do it again and again. He runs toward the post this time and into the end zone. I drop back, thrust my arm forward, and it’s gone. The ball spirals long and far and straight to my target.Dime.

I can’t help the grin of pure satisfaction that creeps across my face. There it is.

We run a few more plays, but my shoulder is tiring, and the trainers know it. All I need is strength and endurance, and it will come.

They call me in, and we discuss my therapy and training schedule. They thank me for visiting as Rob stands off to the side, working the GM.I pull my sweatshirt back on, knowing my shoulder will hurt like hell later, but it’s a different kind of pain. A healing one, and it feels damn good.

Rob smacks me on the back. “That’s the way to do it, kid. Now, you sit back and leave the rest to me.” I smile for the first time in what feels like forever. “Drinks on me before they shuttle you home?”

I shake my head. “Nah, I’ve got to get going.” He frowns, but I ignore it. I need a deal, and Rob needs to make that happen, not worry about what’s happening in my personal life. Plus, Bree’s life will remain private, at least until I have a chance to meet her and understand my role.

The thought has my stomach clenching tight.

“Well, all right. Let’s get out of here.”

Rob and I exit the facility and walk to our rentals.

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