Page 41 of Falling Stars

Mav swallows. “My neurosurgeon said given the fact that I was paralyzed for a few days after the injury, it’s likely I won’t play professional football again. He said I’m lucky I’m not in traction and that another good hit could paralyze me permanently.”

He could be paralyzed!

My eyes burn, and I work like hell to choke down my emotions. “Being a pro football player isn’t worth killing your body.”

Mav’s eyes meet mine, and he quietly adds, “If I don’t play, I won’t be able to help my brothers pay off the ranch.”

Rhett shakes his head. “That’s why you’re all twisted up about this? When have I ever put that responsibility on you?”

Mav turns to his oldest brother. “You’re the one who paid for me to play football. For all the camps and equipment. You’re the one who drove me to pee-wee tournaments and summer leagues. You. Not our asshole father. So I feel like I owe you. Like I need to pull my weight around here, and I always thought I’d do that by helping you pay off our mortgage.”

With a sigh, Rhett closes his eyes for a moment. “All I care about is that you’re healthy. That you’re doing something you love. Your family is just as proud of you whether you play football or not.”

Mav stares at the floor. “I have one more shot. I have to go back to New York in a month. I got a second opinion who said there’s a possibility I might be healed enough to play down the road, but I’ll need a lot of rehab. And because I was on the injured reserve list, that whittled down my pay this year.”

Jace groans. “Bro, that sucks. I thought you had that payout no matter what.”

“It wasn’t a fully guaranteed contract. The NFL can’t offer those to everyone because it’s such a high-injury sport. But here’s another problem. Even if I’m able to play, I’ve been wondering if Heller was planning to trade me.”

Beau scoffs. “You’re a first-round draft pick.”

“Who didn’t have a great season and got injured.” Mav shakes his head. “I’m just not sure what I’ll do if I don’t play.”

No wonder I’ve caught him looking so sad sometimes.

Paige gets up with Ella in her arms. “I need food for this conversation. I’m going to put Ella down, and then I’ll get us some snacks.”

I’d offer to help, but I don’t want to miss any more revelations. I’m glad Beau gets up to lend a hand. I return my attention to Maverick. “Can we recap for those of us who are just hearing about your catastrophic injuries for the first time?” He mouths “sorry” and I roll my eyes. “So you basically have another month to convalesce before you have to go back to New York where you’ll find out if you’ll continue in the NFL or retire. Right?”

“‘Retire’ sounds weird. I’m twenty-three, not sixty.”

“I think the point is you want to live to see sixty, but if you break your fu—” I cut myself off because the boys are in the room. “If you break your pretty little neck, you won’t be able to do jack squat.”

“She has a point,” Beau calls out from the kitchen.

Jace motions toward his brother. “Does this mean you won’t make any more on your contract after this year?”

“There’s some kind of payout, but it won’t last me the rest of my life or anything.”

“Couldn’t you just stay on the injured reserve and keep collecting the dough?” Jace leans forward. “I know that wouldsuck, but you’ve worked so damn hard, and maybe things could change for you if you give it time.”

Maverick considers that for a moment, then shakes his head. “Remember when I was out a few games in high school with that knee injury? There’s nothing worse than being part of a team and sitting on the sidelines, not able to play. Plus, I don’t like the idea of cashing in checks I haven’t earned.”

Paige and Beau bring over chips, dips, and hotqueso. She motions to me. “Ladies first, because the guys will decimate this plate in under a minute. Let me take Leo for a bit and give you a break.”

He’s snoozing on my shoulder. I hand him to her, and she kisses his fuzzy head. “I love him so much.”

“Thanks for the help.” I grab a plate and fill it up before I hand it to Maverick. He just stares at me. “What? You probably shouldn’t lean over so far if you’ve been dizzy, right? How else are you going to eat?” While he’s mystified that I’ve been paying attention, I make myself a plate and return to my seat.

Paige sits next to me and whispers, “How’s it going at the condo? I swear I had no idea he was returning.”

I shrug and whisper back, “It’s fine, but I think I should move into the camper.”

“Is he being a bad roommate?”

“No, he’s great.” And that’s a problem. I don’t need to be reminded of how sweet, helpful, and charming Maverick is. I need to focus on Leo, work, and making more money. And maybe figuring out who’s been vandalizing my stuff. “I just think he needs his space.” Or maybe I do.

I dial back into the conversation the guys are having.

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