I smile, then their words sink in. “Coach said I’m coming back?”
“Yeah. He said he got you some funding lined up. You’re starting next semester.” Martin narrows his eyes at me. “Not true?”
“I… Fuck.” I lick my lips and try to sit up. It feels weird to be lying on my back with all of them standing. Alonzo moves to help me, and that’s a good thing as I seem to have no strength left in me.
“Of course he’s coming back,” Jeff says. “Why wouldn’t he? He’s the best.”
Can I go back? My life’s on fucking hold right now, even more so since I fell sick.
Then again, if I’m on my way to recovery and the incessant fatigue of the previous weeks and months goes away… If Tessa forgives me and wants to be my girl… If the boys are okay… I’ll finally fight for all I want and care for.
“Man, we met your chick. She’s hot!” This is Tyson, one of the linebackers.
My eyes narrow. “Hands off. If you so much as think of touching her…”
He lifts his hands, chuckling. Tyson’s not the brightest bulb in the box, and if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay the fuck away from Tessa.
Jeff grabs Tyson in a chokehold and bares his teeth. “Shut your fucking mouth, Tyson. I was hoping Dylan might forget you’re on the team, too.”
“Fuck you,” Tyson mutters, but doesn’t look particularly ruffled.
“We really hope you’ll come back,” Cory says, a quiet guy, linebacker, too. “We’re still Team Dylan, you know.”
Dammit. These guys want to make me tear up just, so they can rib me about it for the rest of my fucking life.
“We brought you chocolates,” Martin says, his face a picture of innocence.
“Oh yeah? You forgot the flowers?” I snap my teeth at him, happy to be distracted.
“Roses. Oh yeah, baby.” Tyson bats his lashes and pouts, and we all dissolve into hysterical laughter. The others attack him and tackle him to the floor, and they roll around cackling.
Nothing like a six-foot-five gorilla with a shaved head making kissy lips to put the universe to rights.
Ash appears at the door, a dark brow lifted at the tangle of bodies on the floor. “Need any help?” he drawls. “Looks like fun.”
“Nah, we’re good,” Jeff says, still holding Tyson by the scruff of the neck. “Find your own toys.”
“I got my own toys,” Ash says, and Audrey appears next to him. He draws her close. “Much better than yours.”
“Yeah…” Jeff gapes at Audrey. She’s a hot redhead, and although she’s not my type, not the one I want, she’s damn pretty.
“Close your mouth.” Tyson pushes Jeff off him. “And stop drooling on me.”
“I want,” Jeff mutters.
“Get your own toys,” Ash replies, giving my team a dangerous grin, and departs with Audrey.
I stare at the door, a strange yearning inside me. It’s bittersweet and oddly familiar. Tessa. I want her to show up at the door, give me her sweet smile and come to me, lie in my arms and let me hold her.
I need to talk to her. Tell her how much she means to me. Zane’s right. It’s about time I made it clear to her I’m not changing my mind again. That I’m here for her, if she wants me.
“Thanks for stopping by, guys.” I lie back on my pillows with a sigh. I don’t have to pretend I’m tired. I’m fucking exhausted. “I think I’ll catch some shuteye now, if you all don’t mind.”
“Sure, man.” They get up from the floor, looking a little sheepish. “You need to rest. Give us a call when you feel better, and we can all have a party.”
I feel a little guilty for making them leave, but I need to do this, and if I wait any longer, I will fall asleep and have to wait even longer.
What if Tessa is fed up with waiting for me to tell her how I feel? I told her I think about her a lot, sure, and that I think she’s beautiful, but that’s not enough. Not after I treated her like a stranger for years.
She deserves more. She deserves complete honesty. She makes me want to be a better man, and I should start right now.
“Need anything?” Ash asks, looking inside, Audrey wrapped around him like a starfish. It’s nice to see them together, to see how much they need and enjoy each other.
That’s what I want with Tessa.
“Hey, Ash.” I clench my hands by my sides. “I wanted to say… I’m sorry. I was wrong.” About who Ash is, what Audrey needed. What I needed, and Tessa… God. “Sorry I doubted you when Audrey came back to town. That I didn’t help you. Didn’t support you.”