Emma broke the silence. “Your first game back will be on the twenty-fourth against the Annapolis Hawks.”
I would have the next five days off. Practically a week of free time. I should have been more delighted, but it sat in my stomach like bad take-out food.
“You ready for the next part?” Emma asked.
“Oh, jeez. What now?” I asked. Then it hit me before Emma spoke. “The rumors. They’re out there.”
“And how,” she said with an extremely sarcastic tone. “The good news is that the Riders are all well aware and it won’t impact them in any negative kind of way. The bad news is that this is being saddled all onyou. Word is already spreading. The Brawlers aren’t shying away from opening up the rumor mill to anyone who wants to visit. It’s already spread enough that tonight’s recap shows will discuss, but I doubt they’ll use the words that Quinn did. It’ll be enough to really churn up the situation. You’ll need to be MIA for the next five days. You’lllikely go to Annapolis but I doubt the coaches will let you play.”
A touch of heat. A flourish of anger. I could recognize that now. I swallowed whatever eruption threatened to come out of my mouth. An outburst wouldn’t help anything.
“Hey, man,” Joe said, “five days off. Not the worst thing that can happen. Rhode Island is beautiful this time of year, too…”
“Alex is probably working,” I said sheepishly.
“You sure?”
I looked at Joe. Did he know something I didn’t?
“Needless to say,” Emma continued, “we’d like to keep a lid on things until your suspension has passed. Stay off of social media. Stay away from recaps or reviews. I know it’s easy to say, but really try and take it easy the next five days. Joe is right. Maybe head home to Rhode Island? I’ll keep you updated but only in limited amounts. We’ll need a refreshed Romo when this is done. Sound good?”
“Yeah,” I said, though the words came out halfheartedly. “Sounds good. Thanks, Emma.”
I ended the call and let her words rebound in my head as Joe stayed silent for a few miles.
“How’s your fist?” he finally asked.
“Hurts like heck,” I said through a laugh. “Does punching always hurt?”
Joe shrugged and laughed back. “Wouldn’t know, cuz. Maybe you should ask for pointers from Lorenzo.”
We both chuckled at that. Another cousin, and a hotheaded one who had been in more fights than we could count.
“Is he back yet from Sicily?” I asked.
“I think so. Maybe you can see him when you head back home tonight?”
I snorted. “You seem to think I’m able to get there. I promised myself I wouldn’t bully my way into Alex’s schedule anymore.”
Joe smiled and sighed. “You’re a good man, Rome.”
We made light conversation for the rest of the way home. My stomach rumbled as we pulled in past the gate and up the driveway to my little place. I got my bags out of Joe’s trunk, thanked him again, then tapped the roof of his car before he reversed and left.
Alex was already at the door and I started to throw myself at him but stopped when I noticed a collection of bags surrounding him. Fear lanced right through my heart. Was that all his things? Was he leaving? Did he just placate me on the phone and realized he—
“Stop,” Alex said. “Jeez, I can practically see where your head is going.”
“I don’t understand. Are you…?”
“Yes, I’m leaving. And you’re coming with me.” He reached behind him and produced a stack of to-go containers. “I know you’re hungry. You can eat on the way. I’ll drive.”
My eyes narrowed. “Where are we going?”
“Rhode Island. We’re taking you home. It’s time I meet your family.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Alex
