"What was the big fight about?"
"It wasn't a fight, well not really. I forbade her to do something and I'm pretty sure she's going to prove she can do what she wants."
"Women don't like to be told what to do, that's for damn sure."
"Learned that through your vast experience, have you?"
"Do you know you're a smart-ass?”
"I've been told."
"Whatever. I know my history with women sucks. You don't have to rub it in. At least I have Allen out of it."
"Can't deny that. He's a good kid, but Kayla is not teaching him."
"That's not what she says."
"That's where our misunderstanding is," I tell him, raking my hand over the side of my face. “She’s not going on the road with you,” I growl. “I can’t handle it. The damn woman is already driving me to drink.”
I wince as I stretch my arm a little too much. I hope against hope that Green doesn't notice it, but I know I'm not going to get off that easy.
"Your shoulder's not healing." He says it quietly and it's not a question. He might be in a different sport, but he knows the score. He understands better than any of my brothers would, except maybe Gray. I rub the shoulder in reflex, grimacing.
"No. It's not. The last report wasn't good at all. I go back on the first of next month to check the range of motion and flexibility."
"What are all of the doctors saying?"
"Not a lot. They're going to try and put me in a cryogenic chamber next month and see if that will stimulate healing. Black mentioned it and I was stupid enough to bring it up to the team doctor."
"Fuck. That shit is painful."
"You've had it done?"
"Nah, a buddy on the team did last year. He says he still feels ice cubes on his fucking balls."
"I've heard the same. Still I have to try something. I'm not going to be able to play again like this."
"Maybe it's time to hang up the jersey."
"I’ve been thinking about it. Just not sure what comes next."
"You have options, man."
"Yeah, but I love football."
"There's other things to love," he says, and for some reason Kayla's face comes to mind.
"Would you give it up?"
"What? Baseball?"
"Yeah."
"In a heartbeat if I had a reason and if I couldn't play anymore. I could walk away without regrets."
"That's the kicker right there. Regrets."
"Do you have any?"
"A lot. Right now, I'm not sure they revolve around football though."
"And that brings you back to Kayla."
"Pretty much."
"I see what you mean about the circles," Green jokes and I shrug.
"I guess I better go find her. My luck, she's at Blue's."
"Why is that bad?" Green asks as we get up and walk towards the door.
"Because then I'd have to kill my brother."
"Finally found out he asked Kayla out?"
"You knew?"
"All of us did. Blue's quiet, but he knows what he wants. He sees in Kayla the kind of woman he wants long-term. You can't argue; Kayla's a hell of a woman," Green says as we make it to the door.
"That she is."
"Let me know if you find her."
"Will do," I tell him, turning away and trying to figure out where to turn next.
"Oh, and White?"
"Yeah?" I ask, looking over my shoulder.
"I'm going to fight to keep her as Allen's teacher. Just so you know."
"It's not happening."
"We'll see," he says, shutting the door behind me. I dismiss him from my mind. I need to figure out where to go next. It's past supper time and I haven't had dinner. I'll swing by Mom’s and get some leftovers. Maybe Mom has heard from Kayla.
CHAPTER 31
KAYLA
"Hello?"
"Hey, baby girl. White was just here looking for you. He didn't seem real happy."
"I didn't figure he would be," I tell Green with a sigh. "Did you tell him where I was?"
"I told him I hadn't seen you, which technically I haven't, but…"
"He's headed here.”
“Probably,” he laughs.
“It's okay. I expected it,” I tell him, and I did. I mean, I ran away to his mom's. Probably because in my heart, I didn't want to get away from him.
"Listen, if working with Allen is going to cause you two issues—"
"He's being unreasonable. He's worried about me going on the road. It'll be fine. It's four or five months away. He'll get used to it by then."
"You're sure?"
"Positive. You know as well as I do, you can't let White make every decision; he's too damn bossy."
"I hear some women like that kind of thing," Green says, and just the memory of the sex that White and I shared earlier makes my insides quake.
"Goodbye, Green."
"I still can't believe you put me on your list."
"I should have never told you."
"Oh, but just think of the fun I'll have with White about it."
"Dear God, are all you Lucas boys giant kids?"
"Bye, baby girl. See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Green," I say, laughing.
"That fucker knew you were here?" White demands from the front door.