Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 122514 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122514 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
A soft knock came an hour later, and Juan stuck his head in. There were heavy bags under his eyes. “I’m heading back to be with the team. Coach called, said you weren’t answering your phone. You want anything special from us?”
Reese sat up on the edge of the bed and leaned forward, his head in his hands. “Nah. Thanks, man.”
“Yeah.” Juan’s gaze met mine over Reese’s head. “You need anything?”
I shook my head, my hand resting on Reese’s back, moving up and down, comforting. “I’ll call if I think of anything.”
“Uh…” He cleared his throat. “I heard the team is moving hotels tonight. The lobby was flooded with fans, so I’ll grab all your stuff. Marie said she was flying in. She’ll handle it all, bring your stuff wherever you end up.”
“Have Marie give it to Stan. I’m sure we’ll fly out of here tonight. He’ll make sure it’s all on the plane.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Thanks, man. Means a lot.”
My eyes closed. Reese’s voice was hoarse, and I could feel the emotion in him. I blinked back a tear of my own, my strokes growing firmer as I rubbed over Reese’s back.
Someone knocked on the apartment door.
Reese looked up.
Juan glanced over his shoulder.
We heard muted footsteps, then the door opening and low murmurs.
Juan looked back. “It’s Coach.”
Reese sighed, running a hand over his face. “Tell him I’ll be out. Gotta dress quick.”
“Will do.”
After Reese got up and went in the bathroom, Juan said to me, “You’ll take care of him?”
“Always.”
He nodded. “Roman was a pain in the ass,” he whispered, “but Reese loved him. You love family whether they’re kind or not to you.”
Then he shut the door behind him, and I could hear him talking to someone on the other side.
Waiting for Reese, I slipped out of bed and grabbed some clothes—his sweatshirt, some leggings, and a pair of ballet slippers I’d grabbed at the last second. I sat on the edge of the bed until it was evident Reese wasn’t coming out anytime soon.
I crossed to the bathroom, knocking. I tried the handle. “Reese?”
He didn’t answer.
Opening the door, my heart broke. There was no other way to say it. He sat on the floor in his sweatpants by the toilet. His knees were up as he did his best to curl himself into a ball. His head was in his hands, and I didn’t think.
Going to him, I said his name once, sliding to my knees and moving right between his legs.
A sob left him, but he opened his arms. Crawling into his lap, I straddled his waist and wound my arms around him, pulling him close.
His hands balled into fists at my sides, and he cried.
There were no words. Not like this, when it’s raw and new and has the power to change you forever. Nothing could take it away or soothe it, and the only thing I could offer was knowing he wasn’t alone.
I brushed his hair back, kissing his forehead and whispering over and over, “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Eventually I felt a presence behind us.
Twisting my head just enough, I saw Coach Winston at the door, looking utterly broken. Reese seemed oblivious. His tears kept falling, his head buried against me, and I just kept soothing him. I was doing the best I could.
Coach nodded to me and mouthed, “Thank you.”
I nodded back, just the smallest of motions, and he eased back. I heard the bedroom door click shut softly, and I assumed he would talk to Stan about whatever needed to be said to Reese.
Thirty minutes later, Reese pulled himself together, his eyes red-rimmed and still sniffling. He dressed for the day, putting on the suit Juan had brought with him the night before. I didn’t know what all happened on the day of a game, but figured there were team things he needed to attend to.
He stepped into the hall, and I was right behind him. Stan straightened in the hallway. He had dressed in a suit as well.
He noted our clasped hands and cleared his throat. “I’ll make sure Charlie’s in a room close by for you.”
Reese’s voice was raspy. “Thanks.”
And just like that, we gathered the rest of our stuff and headed out. I took Trent’s keys with me. Going downstairs, no one said a word in the elevator, but an SUV was waiting for us.
This was Stan’s doing.
On the drive to the stadium, he informed Reese, “I’ve chartered a private jet. A car will take us straight to the airport after your game. Your coaches are aware of everything. They’re on board for you to take the weekend. You’ll be expected back to the arena Monday morning for your game that evening.”
Reese nodded.
“Your mother identified the body this morning, and she reached out about funeral planning. She’d like you to pay for everything.”