Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Gabe
After my brief conversation with Coach Monday morning, he agreed that it was a good idea for me to be there for Tate’s release from the hospital since he had no family or friends outside the team.
I wouldn’t miss anything, technically speaking.
Though I’d normally get to the stadium by eight, we didn’t need to report for film review until ten.
I threw on jeans, an old Auburn University T-shirt, and with my Oakleys in place against the bright sunshine and a Red Sox baseball cap on against recognition by strangers, I jumped into the Escalade and headed to Mass General.
I’d called ahead and got permission to park in the valet area out front.
It didn’t hurt that my name was Gabe Wyatt to be granted that privilege.
On the other hand, I had to keep the sunglasses on and baseball cap pulled down as I went inside and through the lobby crowded with people coming and going at this busy hour.
When I got to Tate’s room, Mia was there, helping him get settled in the standard wheelchair to exit the hospital—not that he needed it.
“Just in the nick of time,” I said.
“Did you bring the Escalade?” Tate asked.
I nodded. Mia met my eyes. “All the paperwork is taken care of. We can go now. Where are you parked? You’ll need to bring the car around.”
“No need. I’m out front in the valet area.” I shrugged at her look of surprise.
The tension shrouded us as I took over pushing the wheelchair, forcing Mia to walk ahead of us. She led the way to the elevator. No one spoke on the way down, not even when the elevator doors opened to a view of the lobby area filled with sports media types, all instantly recognizable to me.
“Shit,” I said.
“Fucking shit,” Tate said.
“It’s just the press. You guys must be used to this—talking to them.” Mia said this as she backed away from us, letting me push forward while she dropped back.
“Doesn’t mean we like it,” Tate said. “A person goes to the dentist. Doesn’t mean he likes it.”
I grunted my agreement then turned around to see her stopped a few feet behind us. I had two seconds tops before the press swarmed.
“What are you doing?”
“You go ahead without me. I’ll catch up with you at Tate’s apartment.”
I swore under my breath. This wasn’t going well, nothing like I’d anticipated. I thought we’d have a pleasant morning, get Tate settled. Since when had I lost my ability to read the line? I was definitely slipping and I hoped to hell the slippage didn’t carry over onto the field.
“Let’s get on with it,” Tate said.
I pushed forward and we stopped in the lobby to a million questions, most of which we couldn’t answer.
Skated around answering. Were forbidden from answering.
It always made me feel sleazy to try to stifle the press, so I did the best I could to give them something, even if it wasn’t what they were looking for.
“What are you doing here? The team sent you?” The question was addressed to me and this was one I could answer fully and honestly.
“I’m here taking care of a teammate and friend. One of my brothers. Least I can do.”
Tate spoke up, “I have no one in Boston except my teammates and Wyatt is the real deal. Team leader and authentically decent human being. If I had to be injured and alone, I’m glad it was here with this team.”
After that I didn’t pay too much attention. Most of the questions had been asked and answered and I pushed forward. I knew Fontanna’s answer to the reporter was more a message to me, an indirect thank-you from a guy who didn’t want to express it directly.
When we got outside, he stood, moving his body gingerly, and I helped him climb into the front seat with as little pain and swearing as possible. Only a half dozen fucks and a couple of goddammits.
When I hopped into the driver’s seat, I swept the baseball cap off and started the car. “You’re welcome.”
He gave me a sideways glance and then a smile, pained as it was. “Just make sure you go slow over potholes or I take it all back.”
True to her word, Mia was waiting at Tate’s apartment when we got there, and between the two of us we helped him climb the stairs. By the time we got him comfortable in a chair, he’d broken a sweat from the pain.
Mia brought him a glass of water and two pills, which he took with a shaky hand.
“Damn, this broken bone thing is painful.”
“The meds will take the edge off,” Mia said.
“What about tomorrow? You want a ride to the stadium?”
He nodded, but didn’t look enthusiastic about it.
“Good. You shouldn’t stay around the house moping,” Mia said, a playful smile lighting her face. I knew that playful smile, loved it. Craved it.
Tate returned her smile and the exchange seemed intimate, like maybe they were more than just friends, contrary to what Mia claimed. Or maybe I was being paranoid about something that really shouldn’t be any of my business. I’d planned to try to be friends.
“I know you’ll be spending some of your time in PT and trying to keep up your conditioning, Fontanna, so I won’t see you much at practice.
Won’t be able to keep you company much, but how about if we all get together on Friday?
I’ll cook dinner, invite Hunter and Cat.
Mia, you too.” My tone was casual, but the anticipation in my gut betrayed my intentions about friendship with Mia.
“Sounds cool,” Tate said, flicking a glance at Mia. She nodded, avoiding my eyes.
“How about the game Sunday?” I said. “You planning to travel with the team?”
“I don’t think so.” In another very couple-like move, he looked to Mia as if she had the answer.
She shook her head and said, “I doubt it. Too long in an airline seat. But don’t worry. I’ll be here to watch the game with you.” That smile bubbled again and it made me long for her laugh, even if it wasn’t for me, just to hear it.
“Then I hope we win or you two will be one miserable pair.”
She laughed. Cue the rainbow and the unicorn curling through me at the sound, the strong memory trigger of a heady time, that first night we’d met in college.
“That’s what the meds are for,” Tate said. That made her laugh some more and I took in their exchanged glances yet again and decided it was time for me to leave.
They looked too much like a couple for me to watch, though I had to admit it was safer all around that way.
“I’m going to take off. Need to get to practice for ten.”
“You have some time. Why don’t you stay for breakfast?” she said, perfectly reasonably as if it was her home and she was with Tate. It almost felt like she was goading me, maybe testing me. But my head was too messed up with nerves, guilt and paranoia by now for any reliable read on the situation.
I shook my head.
Tate said, “You kidding? He’s compulsive about arriving early. I’m surprised we kept him this long.”
“That’s right.” She laughed again, eyes twinkling.
That was the last straw. I had to get out of there.
“No way could you keep me another second. I’m out of here.” I didn’t give a shit if my tone was less than happy, possibly bordering on rude, and I headed for the door.
Tate’s laugh followed me as I pulled the door closed behind me.
Fuck. Mia had lied to me—or she’d changed her mind.
They weren’t just friends. They were definitely a couple.
And there wasn’t a goddamn thing I could do about it.
A spike of discomfort, like a thorn, pinched me.
Life was a lot less under control today than it had been for a long while.
I rode the elevator down to the lobby and pushed outside to the street, taking a breath of semi-fresh city air.
Football. Films. I could make it fifteen minutes early if I moved.
Mia
Taking a deep breath once the door closed behind him, I turned away, resisting looking down to the street to where he’d parked his car.
I didn’t want to let go of Tate as a shield against Gabe and it was selfish.
Well, maybe not really. Tate knew where he stood now, didn’t he?
He knew we were only friends and I didn’t think he minded all that much.
He knew when there was a spark and when there wasn’t.
But I didn’t want to confirm to Gabe my official status with Tate, that we were only friends. I asked Tate not to tell Gabe. He looked at me like I was nuts.
“This is about Denise, isn’t it? You don’t want to betray your friend.”
I nodded, but even though Denise had been the biggest reason to stay away from Gabe, she wasn’t the only reason.
There was something scary about being in a relationship with Gabe.
He was a big shot. Like my mother had been.
I’d felt it at the hospital, the convergence of the mob of media bringing back a lot of scary, uncomfortable memories.
Tate shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’ll go along with the charade. Up to a point.”
I didn’t need to guess that he’d want to meet and date other women, as soon as his injury would allow. I gave him a smile and patted his cheek. With his lightning quick reflexes, he grabbed my hand and took it from his face.
“No touching in the friend zone, Mia.”
I felt shame and apology welling up, but maintained my poise.
“I’m sorry. I should know better. You’re right.” I backed away from him. “Let me cook you breakfast.” I got busy in the kitchen while he walked around gingerly at first and then picked up speed as instructed. Part of his therapy was moving normally to prevent stiffness, in spite of any pain.
I really liked Tate. He was easy to be around. But then so was every man compared to Gabe. He’d been the only man I’d ever met who turned me into a bundle of overexcited nerves. That’s probably why I’d never gotten over the crush. My one and only crush.
Gabe
By the time Friday night came around, I’d worked myself into exhaustion, practicing every night late and collapsing into bed. I focused on football and only football every single day, not looking ahead, except at the game on Sunday.