“I love you too. So much.” Leaning up, I kiss him again. “We should definitely have more babies someday.”
I hadn’t really thought I wanted kids, much less several, but I realize I do with Billy.
The night is perfect.
Which makes the news later that week that much more difficult to swallow.
I’m sitting on the couch, eating a breakfast burrito and watching ESPN, when I read the crawler.
“That can’t be right.” I move closer to the TV in case I’m misreading it.
Junior Ezra Thomas, a potential number one draft pick, will not be attending the NFL Combine next week and has decided to stay at Lone Star State one more year to support his coach, Richard Santos, who suffered a cardiac episode last weekend.
What the holy hell is going on?
37
ROXY
“I can’t believepeople are buying this shit,” Cam says. Billy grunts in agreement. Jinxy, Jake, and Charlotte stare ahead, riveted to the TV screen.
We’re hanging out at the football house, watching Ezra’s press conference onBronco Nation.
I squeeze Billy’s hand. “He can barely turn to the left. I can’t believe no one has picked up on that yet.”
My dad is sitting next to Ezra, looking grim. He’s only been out of the hospital for a few days, and he has no business doing a damn press conference, but my mom said he wouldn’t listen to her.
Still sporting a broken nose, Ezra awkwardly leans toward the mic. “As I’m sure you all know, I’ve decided to stay at Lone Star one more year.”
“Ezra, what prompted this change of heart?”a reporter asks.“You were projected to be a first-round draft pick.”
“I owe much of my success to Coach Santos. He’s like a second father to me.” Ugh, he makes me want to puke. “And the moment I heard he had a cardiac situation, it made me realize Iwanted to stay here one more year to offer my support and finish out my degree as a Bronco.”
What a load of crap.
While his official story is this song and dance about my dad, word on the street is he was injured at one of the frat houses and can’t fucking throw a football.
“Does this have anything to do with that fight you had with defensive safety Billy Babcock last weekend?”someone else asks.“It looks like you have a broken nose.”
I suck in a breath, and Billy freezes next to me.
Ezra laughs awkwardly. Looks down.That asshole had better not renege on our agreement.“No, not at all. Billy Babcock and I were just horsing around. It was a prank gone wrong. And it’s not broken, just a little bruised.” He looks at the camera and smiles. “Kids, don’t do TikTok challenges.”
The reporters chuckle.
I let out a relieved breath.
“Coach Santos, how do you feel about Ezra’s return to Lone Star State to play his senior year?”
“Obviously, I’m thrilled.” I laugh out loud because my dad doesn’t look thrilled. Maybe he knows more about what’s going on with Ezra than I suspected. “Ezra Thomas is a joy to have on my team. He has a fantastic work ethic, a dynamic understanding of the game, and a bullet arm. His teammates are ecstatic.”
I look around the living room. The guys definitely don’t look ecstatic.
“Coach, how are you feeling? You’re just days away from a serious health scare. Shouldn’t you be at home?”
My dad musters a smile, but I know he’s faking it. “I’m doing much better, and I know how important it is to set the story straight. I have the best college quarterback in the country returning for another season. That’s a huge reason to celebrate.”
Coach pats Ezra on the back. I’m not sure if anyone notices that Ezra winces, but I do.
