Page 44 of Spark
Apollo glances at me like he needs me to reassure him. He looks pathetic, like an abandoned puppy. If an abandoned puppy was a muscled giraffe.
The memory of being on the football field twenty-five years ago tackles me. I know all too well the guilt, shame, and remorse Apollo is feeling. Being the one responsible for another person’s injury is the worst kind of torment. Seeing another player down, not moving because of your hit. Wondering if you’ve killed them or injured them beyond repair. The deafening silence as fans and players alike watch and pray. The relief when he raises a hand to indicate he’s okay. Only to be devastated again when you visit him in the hospital and find out that he needs surgery, will have months of rehab, and won’t play again. That you crushed any possibility of getting a scholarship to his dream college.
Cam nudges my shoulder, knocking me out of my ruminations. I pat Apollo on the back in an awkwardthere, theremotion. “He’s going to be fine, and he’ll be pissed if you stop playing. Rugby’s a rough sport. If you enjoy it, you should play.”
“And you should listen to your own advice,” Cam whispers so only I can hear. I ignore him because… Well, because he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, and we’re not here to discuss me.
Apollo doesn’t seem convinced, and I don't have the emotional resources to persuade him. Maybe once we know the extent of Mateo's injuries, I can talk with him more, but for now, all I can focus on is taking care of Mateo.
The five of us grab trays. Cam, Apollo, and Aspen fill theirs with burgers and fries. Hercules watches Apollo intently, concern creeping over his features as he pours himself a coffee and picks up a rice crispy treat that is the size of a paperback book. I grab coffees for Mateo and me, along with a turkey sandwich, chips, and a few other snacks. He’ll probably be starving by the time he’s done with the scans.
“Thanks for coming to check on him,” I say once we’re all settled at a table. Stealing one of Cam’s fries, I ask him, “Will you be able to stick around and bring Mateo and me to his truck when he’s released?”
Cam dumps a set of keys on the table then takes a bite of his double cheeseburger. “After Aileene picked up Olive from the field, I drove his truck here. Herc drove my car, so you should be good.”
“Thanks, that will mean a lot to him.” I rub my temples, the beginnings of a headache boring into my skull. “I wasn’t thinking about logistics when I hopped in the ambulance with him.”
“We’re family.” Even in the whir of the busy hospital, there’s a sereneness to Aspen that is oddly calming. "This club is more than rugby. As with any family, there are some members who are a bit more…” His eyes sweep over Cam, and something I can’t decipher passes over his face. “Trying than others. But we’re all here for each other.”
“Keep at it, tree boy, and I'll moon you right here." Cam pushes back from the table, his eyes glinting with challenge.
Aspen rolls his eyes, all serenity evaporated. “Sit down and grow up, Cameron.”
“And act like an old man? I don’t think so.”
Herc playfully punches Cam’s arm. “Can you twonotright now.” He huffs and flips his hair off his shoulder, then leans closer to me and mumbles, “Their nitpicking at each other is worse than ever.”
Either he is unaware of Cam and Aspen sparring, or he’s ignoring them, but Apollo begins speaking as if in the middle of a very different conversation. He’s avoided making eye contact with any of us. “Maybe we should do a sign-up and take turns bringing Mateo dinner.” He looks up from the plate he’s been studying to eye Aspen. “Do you all do that kind of thing?”
“We do.” Aspen's gentle tone is a contrast to his snarky response to Cam. He gives Cam one more narrow-eyed glance, pulls out his phone, and shows Apollo the sign-up app the teams use.
Appreciation for their devotion to Mateo and to each other does not sway my need to be the one who cares for him. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll bring him home with me. I’ll make sure he’s taken care of.”
“Teo may not be up for your kind oftaking care ofright away. Unless he has a Florence Nightingale kink we’re unaware of.” Cam wiggles his brows and makes obscene kissing noises. Herc and Aspen chuckle, and even Apollo's dower expression brightens.
I make a show of looking to the ceiling and count to five while I try to keep my twitching lips from breaking into a grin at my ridiculous brother. Leave it to Cam and his over-the-top shenanigans to break the tension. I love him for it.
After promising Apollo and Aspen that I’ll let Mateo know they were here, I convince them to go home. Cam refuses to leave until he knows Mateo’s status, so he and Herc hang out in the cafeteria, and I head back to the emergency department.
When I return to the room, Mateo is lying in bed, the flimsy gown askew on his broad shoulders like an off-the-shoulder blouse. Hearing me, he opens an eye, his expression morphing from one of weariness to that of tranquility. It’s only when my muscles relax at the sight of him that I realize how invested I am in this man and his well-being. Maybe at my age I should question the speed at which my feelings have flourished. I’m not a kid anymore, prone to falling in love with a sparkling smile and a nice ass. But everything with Mateo is different, better, more intense, and it doesn’t matter that we’ve only known each other for a month.
"Hi." I hold up the paper cup. "I brought coffee." Then I open the bag and set the food on the table. "I figured you'd be hungry, so I brought you something to eat, also. The lettuce on the sandwich looked a little wilted, but there wasn't much of a selection."
“I’m starving.” Going first for the ginormous rice crispy treat, he unwraps the cellophane and bites into the sticky treat. “Mmmm. I haven’t had one of these since…” He looks over my shoulder, thinking. “I don’t know when the last time was. They’re my favorite.” Taking my hand, he squeezes. "Thank you."
Disbelief at how grateful he is over talking cereal and melted marshmallows, I return the squeeze. “Anytime. You look like you’re feeling better.”
“Good pain meds. The nurse said I should be released soon. Just waiting for the doc to let us know what the scans showed.” He licks his fingers, sucking on the thumb and forefinger as if he doesn’t want to miss any part of his gooey treat. An erotic picture of last night flashes in my mind's eye, heating me from the inside out, but just as quickly, his words douse the fire within. "I should be able to make my shift."
The pitch of my voice rises, and I don't try to hide my dismay. Or frustration. "The doctor said you could go back to work tonight? What if you have to stop a fight or—” I run my hand through my hair and pace. “Can you even drive on the pain meds?”
“Probably not. Would you be willing to drive me? I can ask Jalen to bring me home when we’re done so you don’t have to worry about interrupting your slee—”
“You’re kidding, right?” The pulse at my temple thumps to an erratic beat as frustration and dismay make way for anger. How could he possibly think he’s going to work tonight? “There is no way you’re going to work, even if the doctor gives you the all-clear, which she won't. You have whiplash, and we don't know what's going on with that knee."
"I already lost out on one night of pay. Two will be—"
“I’ll—” Before I can tell him I’ll pay his damn salary for as many days as it takes for him to heal, there’s a rap on the doorjamb, and the curtain opens.
