Page 124 of Tempting the Player
They all nod as Hendrick ushers me into his room. I kick off my shoes and crawl onto the bed. I don’t even bother getting under the covers.
“I feel like I could sleep for a hundred years,” I mumble into the pillow.
“The doctor said to expect that.” He grabs an extra blanket from his closet and drapes it over me. “Your friends have been texting nonstop.”
He continues, answering the question I was about to ask, “Dahlia got concerned last night when you didn’t show up at the party. I found your phone and after her hundredth call, I decided to answer it. I only told her the very basics. They want to come see you later if you’re up for it.”
“I’ll be up for it.”
“We’ll see,” he says as he lays down next to me and wraps me up in his big, strong arms.
* * *
Somehow, I sleep for another twelve hours and then spend all of Sunday cuddled up with Hendrick. But when I wake up late Monday morning, I feel much more like myself. Knox took the day off and Flynn stayed home from school. Brogan and Archer go to classes, but are back early and don’t make any plans to go out. Having all the Holland brothers take care of me is sweet and weird, and somehow it feels so much like home. They’re like family in the same way Daisy, Violet, and Dahlia are my sisters.
Things with Hendrick and his brothers seem better, too. Maybe it’s that they’re all focused on me, but there’s an ease in their interactions. Knox and Hendrick made lunch together without throwing any punches, I noticed Hendrick practicing sign language with Brogan, and someone even put a calendar on the fridge with all their weekly activities.
My parents have been calling every hour. Hendrick fields most of the conversations, but I talked with them long enough to assure them that I was okay, and that the Hollands were taking good care of me. Eric, Lennon, and Mac check in too. I text with them a little. Mackenzie is in shock, Lennon blames himself for not realizing what was happening when he came by, and Eric is pissed. It’s all so tiring. I can’t even hate Ted right now because that would require feeling too much. I want to stay numb.
Paparazzi have been camped outside my house since news broke about my hospitalization and Ted’s arrest, so I haven’t attempted to go back. Eventually, but not today.
That night Hendrick and Knox cook dinner and the guys all humor me by watching my farmer dating show in the living room.
After, my friends come over. Dahlia and Felix are the first through the door. Dahlia’s eyes are filled with tears as she hurries to my side. She hugs me lightly like she’s afraid to hurt me. “I am so sorry. Are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” I say but my voice wavers and I start to cry. All the emotions I’ve been pushing away refuse to stay dormant any longer as my best friend hugs me and tells me how much she loves me.
Felix and Hendrick hang back while we keep hugging and crying. Hendrick watches me like he wants to burn the world to take away my pain. Felix looks away, giving us a little privacy. “I heard the news. Congrats?” There’s a hint of uncertainty in the word, like he’s asking a question.
“Thank you.” Hendrick shakes his hand.
Oh my gosh! The tryout in L.A. Amidst all the drama, he missed it. But maybe they’re going to give him another shot or decided that he was so amazing he didn’t even need to try out? I don’t have a chance to ask him about it before Daisy and Violet show up with Jordan and Gavin.
After the initial questioning of the other night’s events, lots of hugs and more tears, we settle in the living room and hang out and chat like it’s just a normal night. Hendrick sits on one side of me holding my hand and Dahlia on the other letting me rest my head on her shoulder.
I think it’s going to take some time to work through all the emotions, but right now I’m just so happy that I have so many amazing people in my life.
44
HENDRICK
“I’m not tired,”Jane says as she yawns. “I’m really not. My body is just confused.”
“We’ll come back tomorrow,” Dahlia promises as Jane hugs her like she’s never letting go.
“Promise?”
“Of course. We can build a pillow fort in your room and Felix and I can sleep over with you two.”
I feel one brow lift. Say what now?
Dahlia giggles. “Or not. You should see Hendrick’s face right now. Seems like he might need you to himself for a few nights.”
Jane glances over at me and her lips pull into a smile. “I think you might be right.”
As soon as they’re gone, I go over to where she sits on the couch, looking tired but misty-eyed. I take her hands and pull her to her feet.
“Ready for sleep?”
