The End Zone (Atlanta Lightning 2)

I almost forgot we weren’t alone until Mia cleared her throat. “We’re gonna have to have a conversation soon, D.”

“Noted,” Darren replied. To his mom, he said, “I love you, Momma.”

“I love you too. You know that,” she answered, and I hoped that meant, I know. I wondered earlier, but now I know you’re with him, and I’m okay with it. I just want you to be happy.

We said our goodbyes, and Darren led me to where the players parked. I had to fish his keys out of his pocket, then opened the passenger door for him. When I went around and got in, he had his eyes closed, head leaning against the seat. Pain radiated off him, making me ache.

“I can’t fucking believe this happened. Not this year.”

“I’m so sorry, Darren.” The words didn’t feel like they were enough.

His eyelids fluttered open. “I wanted to go to you so badly in there. Just wanted you to hold me and make me forget about it all.”

“Same. I’ll take you home, and then I won’t leave your side.”

“I like the sound of that.”

I did too.

Chapter Twenty

Darren

Apparently, I couldn’t have ice cream because my surgery was early in the morning and I needed to fast beforehand. All I’d wanted was to drown myself in milkshakes, something my mom had always given me when I was down as a kid, and I couldn’t even do that.

I’d pulverized my fucking arm.

By falling wrong when I was tackled on the field.

As much as it all sucked, as shitty as it was, it helped that Jeremy was there with me.

He took me home and didn’t leave my side, just as he said. He helped me clean up since I couldn’t take a shower yet. Afterward, he got a pair of boxer briefs from my drawer. I was sitting naked on the side of the bed when Jeremy knelt in front of me. “Here, let’s get these on you.”

“I can probably do that myself, ya know?” My arm was aching, my whole body was, but it was eclipsed by the pain in my heart.

“I know,” he replied without looking at me. “Lift up.” Jeremy had gotten to my thighs, so I stood, my flaccid cock right in front of his face. He tucked me away and pulled my underwear up. “What else do you need? What can I do? Are your knees hurting too? I can ice them. I should text your mom and let her know we’re home, cleaned up, and you’re relaxing.” I sat down just as Jeremy stood. He looked around, but not at me. “Your phone is on the dresser.”

He moved to go there, but I reached for him with my good hand and tangled our fingers together. “What’s wrong?”

Finally, he let his gaze meet mine. “What’s wrong with me? You shattered your arm, can’t play for the rest of the season, and you’re asking what’s wrong with me?” I flinched. “Shit. Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I lied. It wasn’t fucking fine. I was pissed. I’d wanted this year. Everything had been perfect, and now I was spending the end of my last season before free agency on the injured reserve. “What’s wrong?” I asked again.

He sighed. “I hate that this happened to you. I wish I could change it. And I hate that I officially met your mom and dad this way. Between West taking me down to the locker room and me going home with you to take care of you, your mom definitely knows something’s up, and I think she hates me because you’re here with me instead of there with her.”

I smiled.

“What are you smiling at?” But a slow grin started to curve his lips.

“You want my mom to like you.”

“Of course I want your mom to like me.”

“She does, and she will, I promise. She likely respects the hell out of you because you were like, Nope, I’m taking my man home, and there’s nothing any of you can do about it!”

Jeremy laughed. “I don’t think I said that.”

“Basically.” I tugged him to my lap, and he hit my arm. “Ouch. Fuck.” My arm throbbed.

“I’m sorry!” Jeremy scrambled off me and onto the bed.

“It was my fault. How long can you stay?” Please don’t have to rush back. I want you to stay, because I think I’m demiromantic with a side of bisexual for you.

“Probably as long as you want me to. I, um…my caseload is really small. Most of what I have is being taken care of by junior lawyers, because I…well, I gave my notice.”

“Wait. What? Why didn’t you say anything? Not that you have to. It’s your business.”

He thought a moment. “I don’t know exactly. I didn’t want it to seem like I was putting pressure on you, if that makes sense. Like, I quit my job so I can spend all my time with you.”