Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
The phone damn near tumbled out of my hand. Blood rushed through my ears. I might be able to play… I might be able to go back… I could prove them all wrong about me.
But did I want to?
“Carmichael, you there?” she asked.
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I’m here. I also see what you’re saying. They can afford me because I’ll be cheap, right? I’m a liability.”
“An ex-liability who has been spending his time off out of trouble and coaching those with developmental disabilities.”
“Don’t.” I could hear the venom in my words. “Don’t use that. You don’t get to use that like it’s a marketing strategy. I won’t tolerate it.” It was probably one of the realest, most pure things I’d done in my life. I would never let her use Kenny or his team that way.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you, but you know how the business works, Ashton. At least you used to.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.” And it made me sick to my stomach.
“Keep your nose clean, okay? Don’t draw any negative attention to yourself. Keep in shape, and we’ll talk soon. I can’t make you any promises. There are a lot of months between now and then, but this could be big for you. Don’t fuck it up.”
With that, she hung up. I dropped my head back, took a few deep breaths.
I might have a team. I might be able to play again.
I would lose Beau.
“Hey.” Beau’s voice startled me, made my eyes snap open. “You’re white as a ghost. Are you okay?”
Don’t draw any negative attention to yourself. Don’t fuck it up.
He reached for me, put a hand on my hip, and reflex had me jerking away. He yanked his hand back. “Shit, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking about being in public. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“Yeah, I’m okay. I’m just not feeling great. I think I need to head home.”
“Oh.” The corners of his eyes crinkled, and it was so damn cute, I wanted to kiss it. “I can have Linc take me to my place.”
“Will you come home with me?” I asked, my voice full of vulnerability. “I know you’re hanging out with Lincoln, but…” But I needed him. I wanted him. “Never mind. I’m being ridiculous.”
“Yeah, of course I’ll come with you. I just wasn’t sure you wanted me to.”
“I want you,” I whispered. I always wanted Beau.
I waited outside while Beau went in to pay and made up an excuse to tell Lincoln. We were walking to the car when he asked, “Who was that on the phone?”
“Just an old friend,” I replied. Why stress him out with the possibility of a move to Texas if it might not happen? Which obviously was just me trying to make myself feel better.
I drove us home, and we showered together. When we were in bed and I was buried inside Beau, all I could think of was how right it felt, how much I would miss him if I left…but I was also unsure whether I was strong enough to stay.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Beau
I always wanted to be just like Beau. ~ Love, Kenny
“How do I look?” Kenny asked as we stood in front of the full-length mirror in his bedroom, me straightening his collar. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit my stomach was in knots. Yes, Kenny was twenty years old, but I was about to take him on his first date. I was scared to death I’d fuck it up, or she would hurt him. There wasn’t anything in the world more important to me than protecting Kenny.
But he was a grown man. Of course he would want to start dating.
“You look great,” I finally replied just as Ash said, “It’s stiff for a first date.”
I tossed him a glance and threw my hands up in frustration. Ash ignored me, pushing off Kenny’s bed and heading to the closet. “I’m not saying you don’t look good. You’re handsome as hell. Better-looking than this guy.” He pointed at me, making Kenny laugh. “I just… We’re going bowling. I’ve never seen you in a collared shirt like that. This girl, she likes you for who you are. She’d have to be crazy not to, so I think you should go more relaxed.”
I watched Ash as he poked around in Kenny’s closet. A moment later he pulled out a blue Henley. “This’ll go well with your eyes.” He walked over and handed it to Kenny, and my damn heart had crawled up into my throat. “I can’t tell you how many times girls have told me how much they like my eyes when I wear colors that make them pop. You wear this, and she’ll be putty in your hands.”
“Huh?” Kenny asked.
“She’ll think you look real nice,” I cut Ash off, but really it just gave me something to focus on. I’d known I’d fallen for Ash already, but in that moment, it was like watching him hold my heart in his hand. He was caring for my brother, and there were no words for what that did to me.