Chapter Nineteen
Brody
“Brody, you should go back to the hotel.” Momma put a hand on my arm, but I couldn’t stand being touched.
“I’m not goin’ anywhere until I speak to a doctor and hear Dev’s okay.” My voice quavered, and I was so damn glad the rest of the team and Troy and his family had left. We were alone. “I swear, Momma. When I saw him lyin’ there…not movin’…I got so scared.” Tears burned in my eyes. “I thought he was dead.”
“Oh, dear God, but you know he’s goin’ to be okay. Not even a broken bone. He’s a strong man.”
A woman entered the waiting area, and I immediately recognized her from the pictures Dev had shown me. I leaned close to Momma to whisper in her ear.
“That’s Dev’s mom. I’m surprised she came.” A terrible thought struck panic through me. “What if they called her because he’s worse than we think? They haven’t told us anything.”
Momma grabbed my arm. “Don’t think like that. We woulda heard somethin’.” She smoothed her shirt and stood. “I’m gonna introduce myself.”
Now it was my turn to hold on to her. “Momma…you can’t. She—she doesn’t know about me ’n Dev. She doesn’t even know he’s gay,” I murmured.
“Still,” she insisted. “You’re teammates and friends and her son is hurt. It’s the right thing to do.”
Knowing it was useless to argue, I watched her cross the room and listened in.
“Excuse me, are you Mrs. Summers?”
Dev’s mother, who’d been writing in a notebook, looked up. “Yes? May I help you?”
“I’m Faith McGrath. Brody’s mother? He and Dev are very good friends. I just want you to know that we’re prayin’ for Dev.”
She inclined her head. “Thank you.” Nothing further. No giving her name or asking Momma to sit by her side. But Momma wasn’t about to give up.
“We were wonderin’ if there was any news on Dev’s condition. How is he? We’re very worried. Dev is such a wonderful man—we’ve spent a lotta time together in the off-season.”
With a sigh, Dev’s mother closed her notebook. “That’s very kind of you to say. I haven’t been given any information. I’m sure they’re waiting until after the test results come in. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a call to make.”
She left, and Momma returned to me, shaking her head. “That woman.” She shivered. “I swear the temperature is below zero the closer you stand to her.”
“She doesn’t know anything, I gather.” My main concern was Dev’s health. Not her personality. From what Dev told me, I knew she was a bitch.
“No. I can’t imagine poor Dev growin’ up in a house like that. Now I understand why he left and never returned.”
The waiting was driving me up the wall. I couldn’t sit there any longer and got to my feet. “Do you want a coffee? I gotta get out of here.”
“Sure, honey. I’ll wait here.”
I took the elevator to the cafeteria and got two coffees and a bag of cookies and muffins. A bunch of people recognized me, and as much as I wanted to yell at them to leave me alone, I forced a smile and signed autographs and took pictures. It was close to half an hour before I made it back upstairs. By that time, Jonas and Marlon had arrived and were sitting with Momma.
“Here you go.” I handed her the coffee. “I got some stuff to eat too.”
“You need to eat something, honey. You barely touched your dinner last night.”
I chewed some of a muffin, having no idea what it tasted like. Jonas took the chair next to mine. “Still no news?”
I shook my head.
“Man, that was a nasty hit. Coach said the team is filing a protest. Devil had released the ball. No way three of them should’ve taken him down.”
The food tasted like mud, and I tossed it into the wastebasket. “It doesn’t matter. All I want is for him to be okay.”
Jonas squeezed my shoulder. “I know, man. We all do. Bunch of us got a prayer circle going.”
I heard voices outside the waiting room and thought I recognized Dev’s mother’s voice. “’Scuse me. I’ll be right back.” I exited the waiting room area and found Dev’s mother talking to a man, presumably his doctor. “Excuse me, Doctor, how is he?”
The serious-faced doctor stopped speaking to Dev’s mother. “I’m sorry, but you’re not related to Mr. Summers, are you? You’re Blink Martin, correct?”
“Yes, but—”
Dev’s mother huffed out her impatience. “I’m sorry, but will you please leave us? I’m discussing my son’s condition with his doctor.”
I met her green eyes, and unlike Dev’s warmth and humor, I saw only ice. I tried to appeal to her. “Please, Mrs. Summers. Dev and I have been best friends since college. He’s like my…brother.”
God, those words tasted sour on my tongue. If we’d had the guts to come out, if we could’ve guaranteed the profession we’d both chosen and loved would stand by us, I’d be the one speaking to the doctor and making decisions as his husband, not the woman who barely acknowledged his existence.
Nothing I said melted that frosty facade. “Doctor, can we speak somewhere more privately? Where we won’t be disturbed?”
“This way, Mrs. Summers. I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear the positive results.” The two of them left me standing, but it didn’t matter. I’d heard the doctor say positive results, and a wave of relief crashed over me. Even if I couldn’t see Dev, hearing he was going to be all right chased away all the darkness.
Still, I ached to see him, so I decided to take a chance and found the nurses’ station. Leaning on the desk, I smiled at the women sitting behind their computers. Several men were also present, checking charts, and I knew the moment they recognized me when they elbowed each other, their eyes growing wide with excitement.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was hopin’ one of you could help me?”
“What can I do for you?” One of the men stepped forward. “You’re Blink Martin, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Terrible what happened to Devil Summers. I was happy to see he woke up this afternoon.”
“That’s great news. He had some tests done too, I know.”
One of the nurses frowned. “I’m sorry, but we can’t discuss that with you.”
Not wanting to get on her bad side, I attempted to look contrite. “Oh, I know. I don’t mean to get you in trouble. We’re all just worried about our friend. Thanks, anyway.” I walked away.
Footsteps sounded behind me.
“Hey, Mr. Martin?”
I stopped and turned to see the man who’d spoken to me. When he got close enough for me to see his ID tag, I learned he was a doctor.
“Yes, Dr. Robinson? Call me Blink.”
“I can’t give you any medical information, but Mr. Summers is in Room 528 if you want to peek in to say hello.”
I fist-bumped him. “Thank you, man. I owe you one.”
I hurried to the room, hoping Dev was alone. My heart hurt, seeing him lying in the bed, so pale and banged up. I entered and closed the door behind me.
“If you’ve come to take more blood, I don’t have any left.”
“How about if I give you a kiss instead?” I walked to his bedside and watched as his eyes flew open, and the biggest smile I’d seen on his face since he won his first Super Bowl curved his lips.
“Brody…baby. Oh God, I missed you.”
“I love you.” I leaned over and touched my lips to his. Tears fell from my eyes and mixed with the ones on Dev’s cheeks. “I was so scared.”
His hand touched my face. “I’m okay. No breaks or tears. Just this stupid concussion. I can’t sit up yet without getting sick and having pain in my head. But the doctors say I’ll make a full recovery.” His face fell. “Just not for this season. Which sucks balls.”
“Listen to the doctors, and if you behave, I’ll suck your balls. How’s that?” I was so damn happy to see and touch him, I didn’t care how bad my joke was.
“Now I know I’ll get better.” His eyes searched mine. “You’re exhausted. You stayed here all night, didn’t you?”
“Yeah. Me and Momma. A bunch of the guys are outside now, too. I couldn’t leave until I found out what happened to you. Dammit, Dev, I was so worried, sitting out there with no news.” I didn’t want to upset him, but I wanted to know what happened. “I saw your mother.”
Dev’s jaw tightened. “Yeah. She scheduled me in.”
Despite her barely acknowledging my existence, I didn’t want to badmouth her. “C’mon, Dev. She’s here. That counts for something.”
“I don’t want to talk about her.” His eyes twinkled. “Are you gonna dress up in a nurse outfit and take care of me?”
My lips twitched, but I sighed. “I wish I could, but we’re on the road for the next game. You should hire someone—”
The door burst open, and in walked Dev’s mother. Her brows flew up, and her eyes hardened to chips of emerald ice. “Excuse me, but what are you doing here?”
“He came to see me, Mother.”
“Well, he can leave now. You’re being transferred to New York, and our doctors will look over your case to see if they concur with the diagnosis.” She pinned me with a glare. “My son and I have things to discuss, so if you’d please give us some privacy?”
“That’s very rude of you, Mother. Brody is very concerned about my health.”
One thing about the Summerses. They didn’t back off. “That’s nice of him, but it has no bearing on me. Now, I’ve arranged for a plane with medical attention for you. We’ll arrive in New York tonight, and you’ll be home with us for the duration of your recuperation. The doctor said you don’t need to stay in the hospital.”
“What? No. Absolutely not.” A stunned expression crossed Dev’s face, and he struggled to sit up, but paled and sank down on the pillows. My stomach lurched at the sight of him, so weak and hurting.
“You’re injured and in no position to argue. Did you expect to return to your home with no one to look after you? I have Hugo with me. He’ll come to help you.” She met my eyes. “You may leave now. We have this under control. There’s nothing for you to do here.”
On top of the sheets, Dev’s hands curled into fists. “Please don’t speak to Brody like that.”
“All I’m saying is that you have your family here now. You don’t need strangers or anyone else.”
“Brody is no stranger.” Dev reached out a hand to me, but I hesitated. “It’s okay, Brody. I’m not doing this anymore. Maybe a near-death experience changed me, but at least where my family is concerned, no more hiding.”
“Devlin, what’re you talking about? Does your head hurt?” His mother checked her phone. “I left Hugo waiting at the airport to rent a car. I’ll have him go to your hotel room, pack your things, and then we’ll return home.” She pursed her lips. “The sooner we leave here, the better.”
“My head doesn’t hurt, Mother. It’s just time you knew the truth.”
“The truth?” Her eyes narrowed. “Truth about what?”
Dev wiggled his fingers to me, and with my heart pounding, I put my hand in his and watched his mother’s eyes blow wide open and her lips part in shock. “I’m gay, Mother. Brody and I have been together for years.” His grip on my hand tightened, and I could feel him trembling despite the bravery of his words. “Matter of fact, we’re married.”
“You’re lying,” she whispered, her gaze darting between the two of us, landing on our entwined hands.
“No. I’m not. We’ve hidden it from the public for reasons that should be obvious, but as my mother , I’m sure you’d want to know that I’m happy and in a loving relationship.”
She licked her lips. “I had no idea…you never…you don’t…but you play football,” she finally burst out.
“Yeah,” Dev joked. “Imagine that.” His tone became serious. “I only told you this because Brody deserves full access to my personal life, health records included. Whatever the doctors tell you, you’re to tell Brody.”
She clasped her hands and directed the full force of those laser sharp eyes on me. Damn . Momma was right. Not cold. Arctic. “I’d like to speak with my son. In private, please.”
“No. Don’t go.” Dev lifted his chin. “I told you, Mother. Whatever you can say to me, you can say to the two of us.”
At the knock on the door, I dropped his hand and moved away. The doctor poked his head in. “Mrs. Summers, I have the paperwork for your son’s discharge.” His brows drew together when he spotted me. “How did you get in here?”
I remained silent and looked to Dev. He nodded to me before he closed his eyes. “I’m tired. I’d like to rest, please.”
“I’ll talk to you soon. Get better, Dev.” I left the room and returned to the waiting area.
The others had gone, but Momma remained. She sat with her head bowed and only raised it as I came near.
“Brody, I was worried. You just walked away and didn’t say anything. I had no idea where you were or…anyway.” She drew in a deep breath. “Did you find out anything new about Dev?”
“I think we should go to the hotel and talk.”
I called for a car, and we returned to the hotel. My phone was blowing up with texts from teammates, other players, the media. I sent a message to my PA, Lizzie, to please handle everything, making sure any statements came through official Kings public relations, then shut it all off.
“Dev told his mother. About us.”
Momma’s eyes popped wide, and her hand covered her mouth. “Oh, my. Why…what did she say?”
“Typical nonsense at first. Like how could he be gay, he plays football.” I rolled my eyes before getting serious again. “But Dev wanted to make sure she gives me any information she receives about his health. And she was not happy about it.”
Momma sat and listened but surprised me with her response. “You’re not gonna let her stop you, are you? Because it isn’t up to her. It’s Dev’s life, and you’re part of it.”
“I know. It’s just that she’s gonna make it real difficult, with Dev staying there.”
“And?” Momma raised a brow. “You’ve been in other, real difficult situations. You spend your training time studying and learning the opposing team. Think of it like that.”
I grinned. “Momma, you devil.” She was right. This was a playbook for my life, and I didn’t plan on losing.