Page 61 of The Wildcat

Ummm... He may be relaxed now, but I think I’m about to have a nervous breakdown.

Cross

Iwake up the next morning to a dark room, an empty bed, and cold sheets.

Shit.

She bolted.

I’m a fucking asshole. And now I’m a pissed-off asshole. She didn’t even talk to me.

I swing my legs over the bed and immediately regret the fast movement when the room spins around me and my stomach threatens to revolt if I don’t slow it the fuck down.

I knew it was a mistake as soon as the words left my mouth last night. Not that I don’t love Everly—because I fucking do. But because she’s not ready to hear it.

I grab my sweats from the foot of the bed, and this time when I stand, I take it slower. My vision still isn’t at 100 percent and this shit’s going to drive me crazy. It’s been years since my last concussion, but that one only gave me migraines for a few weeks. My vision was fine. This is annoying as fuck.

I walk by Kerrigan’s empty bedroom, then stop and stare into Jax’s nursery. Everly’s sitting in the glider, giving Jax a bottle. She’s back in those tiny shorts that barely cover her ass, those white socks are pulled up to her knees, and my hoodie is dwarfing her body. And she’s singing to my son while he plays with her hair.

My vision might be fucked, but the sight of her takes my breath away.

Jax finishes his bottle, and she pops him on her shoulder to burp while smiling at me. “Good morning, Cross.”

Then Jax burps right away and squeals when Everly stands, and he catches his first glimpse of me. Man, being away from my kids fucking blows.

I move into the room and wipe his face. “Hey, little man. Daddy missed you.”

“We were trying to let you sleep.” She moves over to the changing table and gets Jax cleaned up and dressed for the day like a pro. “Kerrigan is downstairs. Bellamy and she are making waffles, I think.”

I reach out and grab her arm. “Hey, slow down.”

She stops and looks up at me through her lashes. “Brynn called. She’s stopping by this afternoon to check on you. You may have to see a specialist in the city tomorrow.”

“We have to talk, Everly.”

My stomach sinks when she walks by me. “Later, Cross.”

“Don’t you have a game today?”

“I’m going to call and let them know I can’t make it.”

Shit. “Don’t you fucking dare do that. I’m fine.”

I’m also full of shit. I’m not fine. Even raising my voice that little bit hurts my head.

“Excuse me?” Her words drip with anger, and apparently my brain really isn’t working because I just keep saying the wrong thing.

“You’re a professional. You can’t miss a game because I have a concussion. There’s nothing you can do here. I don’t need anyone’s help.” Shit. It’s like I can’t stop the bullshit spewing from my lips. “Go to the game. You can always come back after.”

“Oh I can, can I?” She looks from Jax to me, and for a second, I think she might cry. “This is why I don’t date athletes. You’re all big fucking babies.”

“Hey, blondie. Waffles are ready,” Ares calls out as he comes to a stop in front of Jax’s door. “He wakes. How are you feeling, man?”

“He does,” Everly snaps at Ares. “And he’s in a lousy fucking mood.” She gently hands Jax to him, then kisses Jax’s cheek. “He’s been fed and changed. Now it’s your turn to deal with the bigger baby in the room.” And when she storms out, Ares turns to me, looking like he’s enjoying my pain.

“Dude. What the fuck did you do? I figured a concussion was a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card.”

When I don’t answer, the fucker laughs. “Did you call her the wrong name or something?”

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