Page 93 of Who's Saving You
Thewhyof it all.
Could it all be just for money?
The guys and I haven’t spoken in aweek. And right now, I have to be the one to mend our friendship by breaking it again. I have to tell them that I had risked us getting to this point in the first place. And still am risking it. It’s going to be the hardest call I ever have to make. For the last three years, I’ve almost told them the truth every day. But I thought if enough time went by, it would leave me, like a bad game. And the life we were building anew, as NFL players, would take over.
But that life is in danger of being lost if I don’t come clean. And they could be collateral damage.
I could let this lie eat me alive, I could let the shame tear me apart. But now that I have Noelle? I can’t let it happen. And better still? She won’t let it happen to me.
Noelle gives me a sweet kiss. “I’m going to sit with Stone. I want you to feel free to speak whatever you need to.”
I grab for her hand. “Maybe I need you here with me.”
She smiles softly and squeezes my hand before letting it drop. “I’ll be right outside. You just come get me if you need me, okay?”
I nod, knowing she’s right. I need to do this alone. I walk into the kitchen and prop my phone up, dialing the FaceTime call that we have scheduled. This call is usually me trying to get the inside scoop, but today, it’s going to go a hell of a lot different. And I just hope it ends with them still wanting to be my friend.
My chest is tight as their faces appear in the square on my phone.
“Hey-ohh! Number one QB in the house. Fret no longer, I’m here.”
I chuckle and roll my eyes at Soba. “Stop being such a showboat.”
The third square pops up, and I hear, “He can’t help it,”Loving speaks up. “He’s got that diva blood running through him.”
“You’d think he’d get some humility now that he’s got a good girl on his arm.”
“Nah,” he shouts and flexes for our small screen. “If anything, she only solidifies that I’m the man.”
We stare at each other for a moment. Nothing about this is different. We’re teasing and joking around. It’s like we almost forgot what happened last week.
“We good here?” I ask carefully.
Their eyes bounce around the squares on the screen, each of us looking back at each other.
Loving speaks up. “I mean, I’m mad, but I guess I can’t be too mad, right?”
I jump in. “Same. We all ended up doing pretty damn good, right?”
Soba lets out a giant sigh. “Fine, I'll accept your forgiveness.”
Loving flips him off and points at me. “Anyway, how’s your non-girlfriend, Saint? Gonna admit to more yet?”
And just like that, everything is fine again. For a moment, anyway. My lips twist, and I begin to sweat. But it’s not over telling them she’s mine. That word forgiveness echoes in my ears. “Actually, yeah, I do have something to admit.”
Loving claps his hands and rubs them together quickly. “We’ve been waiting for this! Ooh, Soba! You ready?”
They're acting like little school kids. “So, yeah, Noelle and I are together.”
“No shit. You’re kidding. I’m so surprised,” Soba says with mock sarcasm and lackluster enthusiasm. “I never would have guessed the woman you’ve been spending all your time with has also been in your bed.”
“Yeah, methinks you doth protest too much and all that mumbo jumbo. Bro, we know you better than ourselves, and we also know she’s been giving it to you since week twelve.”
I shake my head. “And how do you know that?”
“Because that’s when you started playing with more fire than I’ve ever seen. And the only reason you’re lighting that field on fire, since you already have an insane contract, is because if you play well, she sucks your dick well.”
“Yo! Watch your mouth!” I shout out, and they both laugh at me.
