Page 40 of Falling Stars

Then, all at once, they rush me. Gabe and Austin plow into my legs. It shouldn’t throw me off balance, but it does.

Rhett throws out an arm to steady me. “Boys! Don’t be rough with your uncle.” Then he grumbles under his breath, “He broke his neck, for fuck’s sake.”

He doesn’t say it loudly—the kids don’t hear it—but it’s loud enough that Baylee turns pale. Shit. Maybe I should’ve talked with her first to prepare her. “I’m okay,” I tell her, but I can see a million questions in her eyes.

My brothers stand around me smiling. It’s weird that they’re not slapping me on the back and trying to wrestle me to the ground. A reunion of this kind generally warrants a good takedown. I don’t know what to say or do, so I hug Paige, who’s holding Ella.

“Hey, baby girl. Look at all this hair.” Ella has a little red curl coming off the top of her head. She grins and shoves her fist in her mouth. I squish her chubby cheeks, and she squeals with laughter. I love this kid.

Then I turn to Beau. “Is that goat wearing a diaper?”

“The boys keep sneaking him inside. Trust me, it’s easier this way.” He hands the goat to Gabe and instructs him to return him to the barn.

One by one, my brothers greet little Leo and hug Baylee, who’s whispering back and forth with Paige.

I scratch the back of my head. “Sorry I didn’t give y’all any warning I was coming home, but I couldn’t deal with New York anymore.”

Rhett motions for me to sit, so I head to the couch. Thankfully, I don’t wobble. We all settle around the giant L-shaped couch, but Baylee parks herself on the opposite end with Paige. I hate that she’s so far away. I want Bay next to me, but Rhett takes that spot while Beau grabs the seat on the other side of me. The boys settle on the floor.

Rhett turns to face me. “Why didn’t you call? One of us would’ve been happy to pick you up from the airport. When did you get in?”

I rub my hands together. “Earlier this week. Been staying at the condo. I needed a few days to think.”

Paige turns to look at Baylee, who shrugs back.

I clear my throat. Time to rip off the fucking Band-Aid. “I wanted everyone together so I could share some news.” I resist the urge to shout that I’m a big fucking failure and my life has no meaning. “My, uh, my doctor doesn’t think I’ll be able to play football again.”

The room goes silent.

When nobody says anything, I motion to the kitchen. “Did someone say there was going to bequeso?”

14

BAYLEE

He brokehis goddamn neck and no one bothered to tell me?

Fuming, I rock Leo and try to keep my emotions off my face.

Rhett and Beau pepper Mav with questions.

“What’s the prognosis?”

“Did your fracture heal?”

“Did you talk to your coach?”

“Are you still in pain?”

“Bro, football isn’t everything,” Beau finally adds, which has Maverick side-eyeing him. “What? I’m just glad you can walk now.”

Maverick couldn’t walk? I take a deep breath to calm down.

He scrubs his face. “Look, the last time y’all saw me, I was barely able to sit up. I’m doing better. My shoulder feels better, and I’m not in so much pain. The insomnia isn’t so bad anymore, but I still wake up a lot, and I lose my balance sometimes, but I’ve come a long way.”

Pain. Insomnia. Balance issues. And he’s sleeping on a fucking couch. He’s going to get an earful from me when we leave tonight. Leo and I are obviously going to have to find a new place to live. Maverick needs to sleep in a real bed so hecan heal, and the only way to get that is if he unfolds his couch.

Rhett gently puts his hand on Mav’s shoulder. “You’ve come a long way, and we’re all proud of you. Regaining your health is the most important thing here.”

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