Page 88 of The Head Game

She nodded. “Let him rest. He’ll wake if he gets hungry enough. You should join us though.”

A little reluctantly, August nodded and slipped from the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Nico’s family was assembled around a long dining room table filled with food. Everything looked and smelled delicious but his stomach tightened with apprehension as he took a seat.

He wished Skylar was here to run interference.

She’d been a huge help earlier. Before they’d gone their separate ways in Buffalo, she’d slipped August a spare key to Nico’s apartment and called ahead to speak to the concierge who manned the door of the swanky building.

August had no idea what she’d said but he’d been greeted by name when he arrived, granted access to the parking area, then let up to Nico’s place without any hesitation.

August could do with her quick thinking now in case he stumbled across some question he had no idea how to answer.

What if he had to add more lies on top of the ones he’d already told?

What if they kept compounding until he had no idea how to get out from under the weight of them all?

But thankfully, dinner passed pleasantly enough and without any major hiccups.

Nico’s parents asked August about his family and how he’d come to be a referee. He told them about his twin brother, Julius, and why being gay had made him choose officiating rather than becoming a player, grateful for the chance to tell the truth.

After the food had been eaten, everyone lingered around the cleared table, discussing Nico’s recovery once again.

Laptops and pads of paper and pens came out, and August suddenly felt like he was in the middle of a board meeting he was woefully unprepared for.

“August, you’ll be driving Nico to physical therapy and occupational therapy appointments, yes?” Isa asked, her fingers flying over her keyboard as she typed something in.

“Uhh, sure,” August said. “If that’s what we all agree is best. I mean, we’ll have to check with Nico when he’s awake, of course.”

“Of course.” Isa didn’t look up from her phone. “He was very stubborn about not wanting in-home care.”

“Well, I can understand why,” August said. “If he’s already going to be stuck at home, at least going out to therapy appointments will be a change of pace.”

“I suppose,” she said with a sigh. “I just worry about him.”

“Perhaps Nico should get a pet.” Pieter looked up from his laptop screen. “They say animals are very good for recovery.”

“Oh, what a sweet idea,” Isa said with a smile. “I think Nico would like that.”

Pieter made a note on a pad of paper. “I could pick up a puppy tomorrow.”

“Uhh, don’t you think you should ask Nico first?” August protested before he could stop himself.

“Well, yes, I suppose …” Isa frowned.

“I was thinking it would be a surprise gift,” Pieter said, brow furrowing.

“Owning a pet will be rather difficult once Nico’s recovered, right?” August prompted. Surely Pieter of all people would understand. Of course, maybe he’d always had a girlfriend or a wife there to take care of things at home. Or maybe they were all people who didn’t think much about the consequences. “He’ll be gone a lot once he’s playing again.”

Of course, that was assuming Nico did play again, but they were all hoping for the best and they might as well operate like it would happen.

“I suppose. Perhaps a cat rather than a dog then.” Pieter returned his attention to his laptop. “They’re a bit more independent. I’ll look into that now.”

Anika rose to her feet. “I’m going to take care of the dishes. August, would you like to help me?”

“Yes, of course,” he said, following her across the open condo to the kitchen. After loading most of the dishes into the dishwasher and turning it on to run, August filled the sink with hot soapy water to finish the rest.

He’d just started scrubbing when Anika caught his eye and gave him a sympathetic look. “They mean well.” Her voice was pitched low but August still glanced around.

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