Page 105 of Scoring the Player
“What?”
I look away, drawing in a deep breath. “Carter was always Carter, but he got worse when he got injured and was forced into retirement.”
“Worse, how? Did he hit you?”
I stand, grabbing my tee and briefs, and put them on. “That would have been too direct for him.”I cross the room and stare out the window. “Mind games, mood swings, and insults were his weapons of choice.” I shrug. “He drank a lot and reminded me I was a piece of shit every chance he got.”
“Christ. What about your mom?”
“What about her?”
“She couldn’t stop him? Take you away from him?”
“She didn’t. She was checked out. Threw herself into work. They fought a lot. She worked hard to keep up appearances—at least to keep us together in the public eye.”
“That’s messed up.”
“That’s fame.”
“That’s bullshit.” His voice gets closer. “I’m so sorry.”
I lean my head against his shoulder.
“But I need to understand.” He kisses my temple. “Why would you think I would want you to disappear on me?”
“It went from you asking me over to hook up, to us sleeping at my sister’s, then being stuck in the middle of our bullshit. That’s…a lot.”
“So?”
I turn my head and glare at him. “So?”
“Who said I can’t handle a lot?”
I pull out of his arms. “Why would you want to?”
“You know why. Have I not been clear?”
I step back.
There it is again…risen chest, iron back, pledge of quiet sacrifice.
“How do you do it? How do you walk this earth so sure the ground won’t cave in?” I don’t wait for an answer. “I’m cold. I’m gonna take a shower.”
“Hold on.”
I’m already walking away.
“I said, hold on.” His arm wraps around my waist. “I will fuck you all night if it means breaking through so you can hear this. I want you.Allof you. I will keep the ground from caving in for both of us if you let me.”
“You can’t.”
“I will give my last breath trying.”
“No. I don’t want that.”
“Baby.”
My body trembles, knees threatening to collapse atthatword coated in his earnest voice.
