Page 57 of A Quarterback for Christmas

Before I have time to really take that thought in, my dad has me in his car with the heat on high. My forehead rests against the window as I stare inside the house at Drew’s shadowed form.

“Ready to go?” my dad asks.

“As I’ll ever be.” Too bad my heart is so willfully unprepared.

“How long are you expected to be in the cast for?” my father asks between bites of his pizza. He’s eating like a starved man. I, on the other hand, lost my appetite the minute we left Drew’s house, because leaving him without being able to talk has me in knots, and it’s only been a couple of hours. We couldn’t exactly hug or kiss in front of my father, so Drew saluted me. Let me just repeat that. The guy I slept with several times last night, who also jerked himself off between my butt cheeks while we were bathing, saluted me as a goodbye gesture. I was infuriated with myself and him for not carving out any time to get our story straight.

I sigh, taking a bite with sass. “Doctor said he wants to check it in six weeks but hopes that should be it.”

My father nods sternly, and I already know what that means. That’s his disappointed coach face because the only thing he’s thinking about is my future in running. “Any stabbing pain in your foot?”

“A little, but to be honest, I can’t move it much, so I won’t know how bad the injury is to my running career until the cast is off.”

“Which will still set you back at least a few weeks in training.”

“I know, Dad.” I hold back, rolling my eyes because I’m not annoyed at him. I’m annoyed at myself for hurting my foot in the first place. I’m also equally annoyed at Drew for just being Drew.

“You know, your leg might need some serious rehabilitation, and I’m not sure the running department will have the funding for you.” I look down at my pizza and don’t meet his eyes. He has a point. It’s not like I’m a star runner on the team. I’m middle of the pack at best, and they have limited funding, which is prioritized by how good you are. I’d be lucky if my placement got me a couple of ice packs, let alone one physio session.

My dad leans over the table, offering me a grin. “Don’t worry about it, Belly. Let me pull a few strings, and I will get you to use one of the football team’s personal trainers. We will get you better and back on that field.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I smile, but it’s fake because I don’t care if I can never run again. I never have. I just wanted to make him proud, and athletics seemed to be the quickest way to do it. In hindsight, I wonder if I should have leaned into football instead of bitching whenever I talked about anything related to it. I bet I could play. It’s not like kicking could be that hard, and I’m seeing a lot of girl kickers make waves in college now.

Should’ve, would’ve, could’ve.

I didn’t, and that’s that.

Pushing my tongue out, I discreetly check my phone under the table to see if Drew has messaged me, and I’m duly disappointed.

There’s nothing. Who knows, maybe Drew’s over it and doesn’t need to talk about it. Maybe it’s only my brain that’s foggy from this mess.

“They won’t know what hit them when you get back.” Dad hits my shoe against his, jolting me back into the room, and I offer him a small smile.

“I’m sure they won’t.”

Chapter 14

Drew

Drew:You up?

I stare at the screen and the message I sent Bella three hours ago. She still hasn’t responded, and the hope that she’ll get back to tonight is slowly dissipating. She’s not ignoring me. I know she’ll be asleep. After living with her for the last few days, I know she’s lights out with her mouth wide open by ten, and it’s eleven now, but I couldn’t come here any earlier in case her dad caught me. I contemplate sending another message but stop myself because I risk looking like one of those desperate Tate Sorenson fans. They always look a little unhinged as they stand outside the stadium for hours, waiting for just a glimpse of him.

Rubbing my face, I look out the car window, wondering if this was a smart move. I should have left already; it’s been over an hour, but something about our situation makes me want to stay.

Buzz. Buzz.

I nearly jump out of my skin when I feel the vibration of my phone.

Finally!

Bella:Is that you, Drew?

Drew:Yes. Who else would be texting you at this time from an unknown number?

Bella:I don’t know. Maybe one of those guys I’ve been talking to online.

Drew:What guys?

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