Page 32 of Broken Play
Every bone in my body warns me that this is a bad idea, that nothing good will come from it, but the hospital's sterile environment has me choking on antiseptic.
"I'll order your favorites for breakfast," Bodhi adds.
A real breakfast sounds like heaven after a nap. I cave to the man I've spent so much of my life loving and adoring until I had to get away. "Fine. I get the bed. Your butt is on the couch. No negotiating." I point a finger at him. "Promise."
"Scout's honor. I wouldn't dream of crossing enemy lines." He grins, and a flash of the young boy I grew up with makes an appearance. If he were like this all the time, I probably would never have left.
"Okay."
He pumps his fist. "Good choice. You'll get more rest, and it's close by."
In this moment, I don't care if he has ulterior motives; I'm reeling from Anna's surgery. On the way to the hotel, I listen to a message from her boyfriend, Francisco.
"I'll be there tomorrow. Thank you for flying from Texas to be with her. I know Bodhi is there, too, but...you're her best friend."
It's a reminder for me to keep my head clear, and sleep is what I need. When we get to the hotel room, I tumble onto the bed. Soft pillows cradle my head, and sleep claims me before I even take off my shoes.
Sunlight wakes me. I check the time on my watch and stretch. Two full hours feel good. I stretch again, blink a few times to snap myself out of the haze, roll out of bed, and crash into Bodhi coming from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. He freezes, and so do I.
"Hey. I forgot how peaceful you look when you're in a dead sleep," he finally says, a tender warmth in his voice.
Steam floats heavily behind him, and I'm way too aware of his bare shoulders and the water dripping from his hair. I cross my arms over my waist to keep myself from touching him. It would be so easy. "You always used to say that."
"Remember that time the academy took us to the theme park? You fell asleep in the first few minutes after we left. But you held my hand the whole time."
"The old days."
"I think you mean the good old days." He steps closer, touching my arm. "Sutton, I'm not kidding when I say you're all I've thought about. I want you in my life again."
His words hang between us like an intricate tapestry. There are so many reasons why we didn't work, but part of me believes him. Growing up together was fun, yet looking back, it was always me making concessions. I remember asking him, "Jocelyn wants to try a new restaurant. Do you want to go?" But did we? No. He wanted me all to himself. Now I realize it was a way of controlling me.
"Bodhi, I can't handle more changes and complications in my life right now. I need to focus on Anna and my new job." I look down and fiddle with the hem of my shirt.
"It'll be easier because it will just be one of us on tour now that you've retired."
"I'm the general manager of a professional football team, and my dad is counting on me."
He shakes his head, uncurls my arms, and takes my hands in his. "I'll wait," he whispers.
"I'm not asking you to do that." Maybe I want him to keep that promise more than I'm willing to admit, but is it because I want him back in my life, or do I want him to wait for revenge's sake?
SEVENTEEN
GREYSON
Sleep's overrated, right? All night, I toss and turn thinking about Sutton's ex waiting for her on the tarmac. HisI'll-take-it-from-hereattitude. It's almost like he knows I'm interested in her as more than just my boss. He's the same age as Sutton, and I understand they have an unbreakable bond. But do they? Something tore them apart. Did he cheat? Was it long distance? Whatever it was, the internet doesn't have a clue. Headlines from last year read:
Tennis's Golden Couple Double Faults
Long-time Couple Splits at Love
My phone chimes with a notification just as I'm supposed to be prepping for an interview on Sports Showdown with two former football players. The screen lights up with a headline I've been dreading: a photo of Sutton and Bodhi, side by side, walking out of some fancy hotel. They aren't even touching, but he's angled toward her, his smile too easy—like he knows something the rest of the world doesn't.My jaw tightens, and a sharp, stabbing pain hits my gut. I remind myself for the hundredth time that Sutton isn't mine, never has been, but it doesn't matter.
At Sports Showdown, Hawkes and Goodwin fire questions at me.
"How do you really feel about being traded?"
"How's playing for your brother?"
