Page 42 of Cursed Fox

"Have you heard from your sister lately?"

Jessie was going into her senior year of college and interning over the summer to gain some extra experience before graduation. Normally we spoke several times a week, but without my phone, it had been too long.

"Not since she called your phone and I told her you left it here."

At least she had checked in. That was all I cared about.

"I'll call her when I get there. I'll see you in about eight hours."

We said our goodbyes and I ended the call. "I should've grabbed another phone when I was at the office yesterday."

"Wes has extra phones lying around?"

I nodded my head. "You mean Maverick doesn't?"

I laughed when Lex merely shrugged his shoulder. "I guess I never thought to ask."

"I can't tell you how many times one of the guys broke a phone while on an assignment. It was either keep them on hand or listen to them whine when they had to wait for a new one to come in. I got sick of listening to it and learned to order in bulk."

"Huh." Lex scratched his beard. "That actually makes sense."

The rest of the drive continued in a similar fashion—completely opposite from the last time we’d made the same drive. I learned so much about Lex during our trip, it felt like I had known him forever.

By the timewe got to Jimmy's apartment building, it was super late. Nathan was once again manning the front desk when we walked through. I apologized for running out before I could see his mother, but promised to make it up to her.

I felt bad about knocking on Jimmy’s door so late, but it was obvious when he answered a moment later that he was up waiting for us.

"Shouldn't you be resting your leg, not hobbling around on crutches?" I asked with concern as soon as we walked through the door.

"I knew you would be coming soon and I figured you didn't have your keys on you."

He would be correct. They were in my suitcase in his guest room. A lot of good that did me.

"How are you feeling?" I directed Jimmy over to the couch and sat next to him after he was fully settled in.

"Some hours are better than others. I know I was talking about leaving the NFL, but I didn't want it forced on me."

"You're not leaving. Just on the injured reserve for the time being. This time next year, you'll be good as new," I reminded him.

He didn't look convinced. "That's if the Pioneers even want to keep me."

"Wait, what are you talking about?"

Jimmy sighed. "There's talk of a trade."

I was taken aback by his response. "Already? I thought you signed a three-year contract?"

"I did. But that's what happens when you have an awful season and then wind up spending the next season on the injured reserve. I'm not exactly useful to them."

"Is there any chance the letters could be coming from someone on the team?" Lex spoke up for the first time.

"You don't think …?" I mulled over the suggestion, but it didn't feel right. My gut was telling me it was Thomas.

"I'm not sure what to think. We have no indication it's Thomas other than the fact that what's in the letter is similar to what he said to you."

"That's why I need to get the other letters." I turned my attention back to Jimmy. "Do you think you can ask Fred if he can have them delivered here?"

"Yeah, I'll text him right now."

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