Chapter Twenty
West
She should be here.
It’s weird waiting for Dr. Graham to deliver news about my shoulder without my wife beside me, but having Grandpa Boone here is the next best thing.
“Just relax,” he says quietly. “You’re about as tense as a pig at a barbecue.”
I laugh under my breath. Having him here calms me a bit, but nothing can take all the nerves away. My future as the Cypress Pointe Emperors’ starting quarterback comes down to this visit. Everything is riding on the doc’s opinion of how I’ve healed so far.
A firm knock at the door has me sitting straighter, but it feels like my heart drops to my feet the second the doctor enters the room.
“Good afternoon,” he says, and my eyes dart toward the tablet tucked against his side.
“Good afternoon. This is my grandfather, Boone Landry.”
“Pleased to meet you, sir,” Dr. Graham says, extending his hand toward Grandpa.
“Pleasure’s all mine. You two can pretend I’m not in the room. I’m just here for moral support.”
“Very well,” Dr. Graham smiles, then focuses on his tablet as it lights up. “So, I’ve had time to analyze your images over the past couple days. The swelling has reduced considerably, which is good, but now that I’ve got a clearer view of the issue, I’m afraid it’s what we feared.”
It’s like all sound gets sucked out of the room. I don’t need to hear him say I’ve retorn my rotator cuff to know that’s exactly what’s happened. Which means another round of surgery, another round of rehab, only this time, the chances of me returning to my position are even slimmer.
“I think the best course of action is to get the surgery scheduled shortly after the swelling reduces a bit more. Then, we’ll take it one day at a time from there.”
I don’t speak, because what the fuck am I even supposed to say to that?
My career is as good as over. As if I haven’t already lost enough.
Grandpa’s hand rests on my arm. “Now, West, I know what you’re thinking, but no one’s saying this is the end. You’re a strong boy, and you come from strong stock. We will get through this. Together. Just like we get through everything else.”
I still don’t have words, so I just keep my eyes trained on the floor tiles.
Grandpa turns to Dr. Graham. “Thanks, doc. He’s just going to need some time to process everything.”
“I completely understand. I’ll have my nurse email all the information over, including next steps, then we’ll be in touch when it’s time to get Mr. Golden scheduled.”
“Sounds good. Thank you very much.”
Dr. Graham leaves Grandpa and I on our own, and it feels like I’m coming undone. Like my entire life is pulling apart at the seams.
“I meant what I said, son. I’m here with you, and I will not let you give up. You hear me?”
I nod, but the words go in one ear and out the other. No matter what he says, I have to face my new reality.
One that might not include two of the most important things in my life.
Football.
And my wife.
*
Blue
The GPS is still running the route to West’s appointment through the speakers as I whip my truck into the parking lot of the youth center.
Three missed calls from Seth and another coming through at this very moment. I know he’s panicking, but his frantic calls won’t help me get inside any faster.
I know I have to hurry.
I know everything’s falling apart.
Leaving my purse on the front seat, I only grab my phone and keys before rushing inside. Rushing as much as possible in heels and a dress, anyway. My brain is in panic-mode as I storm through the center, heart in my throat because this is our first real emergency.
And an inspector showing up unannounced, threatening to shut down all work on site indefinitely, certainly qualifies as an emergency.
This isn’t how my day was supposed to go. I should be sitting in Dr. Graham’s office with West, finding out what the next steps are for his treatment. We haven’t spoken in weeks, and things are still about as imperfect between us as they can get, but I’d never let him face that alone.
However, I never imagined that decision would be completely out of my hands. But here I am, racing through the building hoping for a miracle.
“Shit. Shit, shit, shit.”
I hear voices as I approach the rec room, and based on the tone, things aren’t going well.
Perfect.
I step into the room, forcing a smile to at least seem like I’m not worried as I pass exposed studs, half demo’d floors, and workers awkwardly hanging around as they await instruction.
I lock eyes with Seth as he makes his way over to me, and that look on his face does nothing to comfort me.
“Thank God, you made it,” he whispers. “He’s trying to shut us down. Said he can’t talk next steps unless it’s with the owner.”
“Okay, so what’s going on?”
Seth’s response to my question is to jerk his chin toward the inspector, looking official in his hardhat and neon vest, clipboard in hand. He’s giving off an egregious amount of no-nonsense energy and looks like the definition of a hard-ass.
Perfect.
“Good morning. You must be Mrs. Golden?”
“I am.”
“I’m Jake. I appreciate you coming down on such short notice.”
“Sorry it took so long to get here. I was on my way to an appointment when I got the call and had to turn around.”
“Well, let’s take a look at what I found.”
I force another smile. “Of course.”
Jake leads the way, and as Seth and I trail behind him, we share a worried look. Jake stops at a wall that’s been opened up.
“We essentially have ourselves an electrical mess,” he explains. “Old aluminum wiring, some melted insulation, and a couple illegal splices. And this junction is absolutely a fire hazard. None of this is up to code.”
My had spins and Seth curses under his breath.
“So… what happens next?” I ask the question, but I definitely don’t want to hear the answer.
“Well, to start, we’ve gotta get a certified electrical contractor out to take a look at your entire first-floor system.”
Yep, definitely didn’t want that answer.
“Then, once the fixes are made, and the report’s submitted to the city, I can clear you. Provided we don’t need a permit revision.”
Great…
“For now, I’m going to place a temporary hold on work in this area, but if anyone even thinks about touching the wiring on this floor, I’ll shut you down so fast your head will spin. Understood?”
I take a deep breath. “Understood.”
He nods, then steps away to write something up, and I turn away, feeling overwhelmed in so many ways. When I feel tears pooling in my eyes, I do all I can to blot them away, muttering a half-silent “Fuck” under my breath.
I’m trying to work through it without making a scene, but when Seth glances toward me, I know I’m caught.
He places a hand on the back of my arm but keeps it discreet as Jake returns.
“Here you go.”
I wipe my eyes, forcing yet another smile as I’m handed a clipboard.
“Sign here, please, and one of these copies will be for your records.”
I sign, then accept my portion of the document. “Thank you.”
“I attached my card to the top if you need to reach out with any questions.”
“Thank you,” I say again, because I’m completely shellshocked.
“No problem. Once you reach out, I’ll be in touch within forty-eight hours.”
With that, Jake’s out of my life. For now, anyway.
“You good?” Seth asks, gripping my elbow to turn me toward him, but I’m losing my shit.
“Just… give me a moment. I’ve gotta get some air.”
I turn to leave, and Seth’s right on my heals. I burst out through the front doors, and he’s right there, not missing a beat. I stop on the sidewalk and just… breathe.
“I know this seems bad, but—”
“It’s… It’s not even just this. It’s every-fucking-thing.”
Seth places a hand on my back, and I’m trying to get my thoughts together.
“It’s, literally, been one thing after another,” I admit, but don’t dare elaborate. Talking to him about my marriage isn’t happening.
Seth takes a step closer, and I close my eyes. Then, before I know what’s coming, he pulls me into a tight hug. I’m instantly uncomfortable, trying to decide how to end it without being rude, so I settle for not hugging him back. Hopefully, he gets the hint and lets go.
When he releases me half a second later, I’m grateful that it worked, and he doesn’t seem to notice that was intentional on my part.
“So, full disclosure. I… recently started following Pandora,” he admits.
I nod and breathe deep. “Which means you know everything.”
Great.
I’ve suspected this for a while now but having him confirm that he’s secretly observed my life falling apart is unsettling.
“Well, I wouldn’t say I know everything,” he says, “but I know enough. Like… how things are kind of strained at home right now.”
I’m quiet, unsure how to respond. Unsure if it’s even possible to save face at this point. When Seth shifts on his feet, I brace myself for whatever he’s about to say.
“Listen, I’m no relationship expert, but I know these things start to feel like they creep into every other part of your life.”
He tucks his hands inside his pockets, and I don’t say a word. The last thing I wanted was for a professional connection to have insight into my life, but that’s the world with Pandora.
“I’m not trying to make this uncomfortable,” he says. “I’m just acknowledging that you’ve got a lot going on, and… I’m here if you need anything.”
He’s bordering on forbidden territory. Not crossing the line to the point that I need to make a big deal of it, but moving forward, I’ll be intentionally cautious with this conversation.
“I’ll be fine,” I lie. “If we can get this electrical thing sorted out quickly, that’ll definitely make things easier.”
When he nods, holding my gaze, I think he knows I’m deflecting.
“Yeah, of course. Totally. I’ll put in some calls right away, so we can move forward.”
“Cool.”
“Cool,” he nods again. “I guess I should get back in there. But seriously, if you need anything, even if it’s just to talk, I’m here.”
My smile is faint and quick. “For sure. Thanks.”
He starts toward the building again, but glances back over his shoulder before heading inside.
My sister’s words echo inside my head, her claim that Seth has a thing for me. I’ve been in denial for a while, wanting to believe all he’s after is a working friendship, but today felt… off.
I shake off the weirdness and check my phone instead, realizing there’s absolutely no way I’ll make it to West’s appointment. Imagining him sitting there alone, getting what could possibly be devastating news, I feel like shit.
Even though today was unavoidable, and I had every intention to go to Dr. Graham’s office, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve failed.
The past two weeks, I’ve avoided West’s calls because I know myself. There’s no way I can think clearly if I don’t create some sort of separation. But I miss my husband, and if ever there was a time to reach out, it’s today.
I’ll give him time to decompress and process whatever info Dr. Graham delivers. Then, tonight before bed… I’m going for it.
*
@QweenPandora:
Well, would you look at that! #NewGirl is getting the love she deserves after all. Only, it isn’t #KingMidas’s arms she’s fallen into.
Take a look at this pic I received from one of you lovelies. Seems we didn’t tag Seth as #TheBenchwarmer for nothing after all.
I smell a scandal brewing on the horizon. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when our beloved king lays his eyes on this.
Stay tuned.
Later, peeps :)
—P