Page 206 of The Surprise Play
I have to have surgery.
I’ll probably be out for months.
No Scouting Combine. I’ll be lucky to get drafted at all, because who the fuck wants to take on an injured rookie?
My dad’s comments are all bravado and bullshit.
The truth is… I’m fucking screwed!
My parents’ grand plans for me and my bright pro future are going up in smoke.
Glaring down at my injured leg, I clench my jaw and berate myself for not mentioning the twinges I’ve been having. They were only little spikes of pain occasionally. I thought they were no big deal. It’s not like I limped off the field. Every little tweak could be shaken off, so I left it.
I fucking left it, and now I’m laid up in a hospital bed waiting for surgery and freaking the fuck out.
I want Satch back.
I need her.
She held me and let me cry on her shoulder. She told me everything was going to be okay.
She’s wrong, but just hearing her say it soothed something inside me.
And now she’s walked away, no doubt gutted that I introduced her as my tutor and nothing more.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
My parents are talking to me, but I don’t know what they’re saying.
I keep staring down at my knee, my heart thumping a dull beat, my head pounding right along with it.
“It’s Blake.” Mom holds her phone out to me.
I didn’t even hear it ring.
Or did Mom call her?
“Wily?” My sister’s voice is tinny through the speaker. I take the phone, pressing it against my ear and gruntingso she knows I’m listening. “Holy shit, dude! This can’t be happening! I’m so sorry.”
I remain quiet, unable to speak past the boulder in my throat.
“I’m coming down, okay? I’m already on my way to the airport.”
But what about school? You can’t just fly across the country for me?I want to ask her those questions, but my voice is shot.
“What did she just say?” Mom tips her head, pulling the phone out of my hand. “You’re coming here? You have class tomorrow.” She blinks, then looks at Dad, obviously confused. “But we’ve got this. You need to stay in Chicago.” After a listening beat, she scoffs. “I hardly think your professors said that.”
“Gimme the phone.” Dad takes it from Mom’s hand. “What’s going on, bean?” He listens intently, nodding, his mouth curling at the corners. “Well, I’m sure your brother will appreciate the support. And you can catch up on the classes later.”
“David,” Mom interjects.
He raises his hand to silence her.
She tuts, then huffs, her gold bracelets clinking as she flicks her hands wide and gives him an exasperated look.
“Love you, honey.” Dad hangs up and passes Mom’s phone back to her.
“Why did you say that?” she snips. “Blake has studying to do. We’ve got this. She doesn’t need to be flying down here to sit by Wily’s bedside. I can do that.”
