The Junior (College Years 3)

He’s okay.

It all happens very quickly after Caleb sits up. A couple of referees join the small crowd gathered around him, and you can tell they’re all talking to him. A doctor rushes out, carrying a bag with him and he pushes past them so he can solely concentrate on Caleb.

I wish I was out there with him. I wish I could give him comfort and say all the right things, but I’m stuck up here in a gorgeous suite with all the food and booze I could ever want, utterly helpless.

They fuss around him for a little bit but I can tell he’s waving them off. Slowly, he stands, then lifts his arm in a wave, turning completely around so everyone can see him. There’s a smile on his face, I can tell even from this distance, and the announcer sounds excited as he says, “Looks like Burke is going to be all right!”

Everyone cheers.

He walks off the field unassisted and I sag into my seat, practically falling into it, closing my eyes against the emotion that threatens to overwhelm me.

“I knew something bad was going to happen,” I murmur to no one in particular. “I could feel it.”

“He’s fine,” Hayden says reassuringly. “He’s going to be fine.”

“If he’s walking and t

alking, he’s definitely going to be okay,” Jackson says firmly.

“At least you weren’t paying attention to the TV screens,” Ellie says with a mock shudder. “They kept showing the replay of when Caleb and that guy collided. It was kind of awful.”

Oh yes. Thank God I wasn’t watching. That probably would’ve sent me straight over the edge.

Once the game is over—and holy shit they lost, talk about devastating—we all make our way down to the field. Or at least, we try to. Security refuses to let us on, despite my yelling at him that I’m Caleb Burke’s girlfriend.

“Oh, now you call yourself that,” Ellie teases when I turn away in frustration from the security guards.

“Shut up,” I tell her mildly, making her giggle.

It’s Jackson who gets us out there, with his usual charm and a casual mention of his name—which they all recognize. Oh, and that he used to play for the Bulldogs too. He slaps the security guards’ hands as they let us out onto the field, and I’m off like a shot, my gaze searching for him, hoping I can find him.

But the field is so big, and there are so many people. I spot Eli, looking dejected as he speaks with a reporter. I’m tempted to go comfort him. He’s become a good friend. Living with him the past few months has brought us all closer, and I kind of love that guy.

He’s not the one I’m looking for though. That’s the guy I’m totally in love with.

Caleb.

I finally find him after long, agonizing minutes of searching. He’s talking with a reporter as well. A cute blonde who’s standing terribly close to him, her mic shoved in his face. He’s got a faint smile on his face and weariness shows around his eyes. She’s telling him he’ll get the play of the week for her network, and he laughs, looking pleased.

I kind of want to rip her hair out, jealous shrew that I suddenly am.

She wraps up the interview but keeps talking to him, and I can see the way the light in his eyes dims. He’s not interested, though she’s clearly flirting with him. Straightening my shoulders, I head toward them, almost laughing when I see the double take Caleb gives me.

“Gracie?” he booms.

Deciding I can’t hold back any longer, I run up to him and he grabs me in his arms, holding me close. Despite all the gear he’s got on, I can feel him. Warm and solid and whole. I press my face against his chest, breathing in deep as I close my eyes. I forget where we are, forget the woman interviewing him and the crowd and the stadium and the game.

I’m just glad he’s okay. Here in my arms.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, his mouth right at my temple.

“I wanted to surprise you.” I pull away slightly so I can look into his eyes. There’s so much joy there in the blue depths. He’s genuinely happy to see me, which eases some of my tension. “But you surprised me instead. First with that interception, and then when you got hurt.”

“That play was pretty fuckin’ epic, was it not?” He looks very, very pleased with himself.

“It was amazing,” I breathe, staring at him in wonder, so grateful that he’s whole, and not hurt.

He doesn’t say a word, but he stares, his gaze eating me up.