Page 87 of Falling Stars

“Whatever.”

Laughing, I lick my finger and stick it in his ear. He chuckles and smacks my ass. “Don’t worry,” I say. “We can make up for it later.”

“Oh, I plan to.” His smoldering smile tells me it’s a promise he’s going to keep.

29

MAVERICK

The next day,I’m feeling a little better but still annoyed I can’t sleep with my girlfriend, especially when our time is limited.

When Baylee gets home from work, she takes the baby to the nursery to change his diaper, and I click on the TV. I’ve mostly stayed away from social media and sports shows because I didn’t think it would help me to rewatch the play that nearly killed me or listen to all the so-called experts debate my injuries and whether or not I’d return to the game.

My team’s kept a tight lid on what happened to me, just admitting that I had a concussion, torn rotator cuff, and a spinal fracture. But no one knows that I was paralyzed for three days. I suspect my coach wants to downplay it in case he decides to trade me. I don’t know if that follows the NFL protocols, but I’m not gonna worry about that now.

With this year’s draft around the corner, all of the sports shows are discussing college prospects. This also means trash-talking athletes who didn’t meet last year’s expectations.

Sports Nationreplays their segments, and sure enough, the “Biggest Draft Disappointments” is on again. I caught the show this afternoon, and it put me in a foul mood.

I’m third on their list. I grit my teeth as I wait for the onslaught by the commentators, Joel Clark and Bo Tyson.

Joel: Speaking of disappointments, for a first-round draft pick, Maverick Walker was a big underperformer.

Bo: I agree, but look at the team he’s on.

Joel: *chuckles* There’s no resuscitating the New York Vipers unless they undergo major rebuilding, and I think they start by trading Walker. Look, he was great in college, no doubt, but I’m not sure he can hack playing with the big boys. While most teams would never dream of trading a first-round draft pick, Heller’s known for making risky plays, and I think this one could pay off.

Motherfucker. I could handle it fine. But it’s kinda hard to catch touchdowns when your quarterback barely pulls his head out of his ass long enough to throw the ball.

Bo: Don’t you think that’s a little harsh? I’d sure love to see Walker on a better team. That kid was a key reason Lone Star State won the National Championship twice in a row. He’s a natural.

Thank you, Bo.

Joel: We’ll see how he looks when he comes off the injured reserve list. I still think he’s all flash and no dash.

What the fuck does that even mean?

Annoyed, I click off the flatscreen and toss my remote back onto the coffee table. I get up to pace.

What am I doing? Is this really the end of my career? What the fuck have I been doing for the last three months? Convalescing like I’m in an old folks’ home instead of a professional athlete?

Baylee’s right. I haven’t been taking my recovery seriously. Pausing, I reach into my back pocket and pull out the business card for the sports psychologist Reginald recommended. All teams have these guys. People who help you deal with the pressure of the game. I never spoke to the Vipers’ headshrinker because I didn’t want to look weak, but that was dumb. I’ve been in a slow death spiral, and it’s time to put an end to it before I wreck my career.

Bay emerges with Leo a few minutes later. This woman is the reason I have a shot. She didn’t let me quit on myself.

I wrap my arm around her and the baby and kiss his head. “Hey, man. Was it good to see your dad yesterday?”

I have to work to not choke on those words, but Sean is Leo’s father, something I should come to grips with. We haven’t really discussed it, but last night, I thought a lot about what I need to do to make this work with Baylee. A big part of that will be helping her co-parent with Sean.

Leo waves his arms at me with a happy grin, and I take him out of Baylee’s arms. “I’m okay,” I reassure her. “I’ve got him.”

I sit on the couch with Leo as Baylee gets his blanket and lion rattle. “Leo wasn’t excited about Sean. He cried, actually.”

Shit. “I’m sorry. That had to suck.” I hold him up so he looks down at me. This might not be on my approved list of exercises, but I love this kid too much to stop. “Bro, you can do this. Your dad’s a nice guy.” Again, something I choke out. And that assumes he doesn’t mess with Baylee again.

Because if he hurts one hair on her body, I will end that motherfucker.

But my brothers have met him and thought he seemed decent, so I suppose I should be civil.

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