15. Jase

"Ihave to go," Lucas says abruptly, stabbing his phone screen. He sticks his phone into his pocket, shoulders hunched forward in defeat. Without thinking, I move my hand toward his and grasp it, partially to stop him and partially because I know he needs it.

He sucks in a breath at the same time the sudden shock of electricity crackles against my palm. Our eyes tussle, my mouth dry like I just stuffed a sleeve of saltines into it.

He stares at my hand for a long second before twisting his wrist out of my grip. Then he rakes a hand through his hair, his face pinched with concern.

"You're just gonna go? You're not even gonna tell me why you're leaving?" I sound like a suspicious girlfriend right now. Why do I need to sound so fucking whiny and desperate?

Lucas's jaw tightens, his neck muscles corded with tension. "It's my family. They need me." He turns away from the bed and quickly walks to the door. With his hand on the handle, he casts a final look over his shoulder at me. "Sorry."

With that, the one person who took it upon himself to take care of me when I needed help just walked away. And for the first time in my damn life, I didn't want to push said person away.

I stare at the door, even after it clicks closed. Something must have happened. Something bad that he didn't want to share.

My gut wrenches at the twist of panic on his face while he was on the phone. He wouldn't let me in enough to share, though.

Maybe Lucas finally is the one who needs saving.

And there's nothing I can offer him since I'm so fucking broken myself.

I stab the button for the nurses' station, and seconds later the one who hustled me back here when we first showed up runs in, her cheeks bright pink.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Maxwell?" She sounds breathless and I guarantee it's because she ran at top speed down the hallway to get here first.

I'm obviously doing a damn good job of convincing her that I'm straight because the lovesick look on her face is enough to confirm that she'd strip naked if I asked her to, right here, right now.

Guilt gnaws at me because I'm about to use that to my advantage.

"Lisa," I say, exaggerating the hint of my Georgia drawl even though I've been away from it for years and have long since buried it. "I really need to get this arm cast fast. Is there anything you can do to get me moved up on the list?"

Her eyes sparkle. "Yes, Mr. Maxwell," she says in a voice that sounds like she's going for seductive. "I'm sure I can make a call and get you taken care of very, very soon." She reaches up and twists a strand of her hair around her finger, a coy look on her face. "Maybe you'll need some help once you're discharged? I can make some arrangements…"

I stop myself from cringing.

Lucas needs help, not me.

But if I burst her bubble now, I'll end up at the bottom of that list.

"Thanks. I appreciate the offer." I flash a wide smile for her, and she giggles and backs out of the room.

Cradling my arm against my chest, I reach into my pocket for my phone. I can't drive, and even if I could, I don't even know where I'd be going. It's not like I've opened the door for Lucas to share anything personal with me, like his home address.

If I were him, I'd keep shit to myself, too. Why share anything with a guy who's made it clear that he's not interested in letting people get close?

Except I did let him get close. In a weak moment, I told him things I've never said to anyone else, not even my cousin Lane. I opened up about feelings and shit.

That would send me running, but Lucas seemed happy that I finally had more to offer than my usual fallback cocky, jackass commentary.

I let out a frustrated breath and dial Rex's number.

"Jesus, Jase. Do you realize how much fucking heat I'm taking for that stunt you pulled at the press conference?" he grunts.

"Yeah, sorry about that." Not really. "Listen, you can tear me a new asshole later but right now, I need an address."

"Why?" Suspicion drips from the word. "Who are you planning to visit?"

"Look, don't get all crazy. I'm not going to Hoffman, if that's what you're worried about." I consider telling him where I am right now, but I've given him enough angst over the past couple of days. I'll save news of my fracture for another day.

"Why the hell should I help you with anything right now when you put my ass in the meat grinder after that conference?"

"Because you're my agent."

"Maybe, maybe not," he grumbles. "How much longer do you think I'm going to put my career on the line for you?"

"You're gonna keep repping me until you've milked your cash cow dry," I seethe, squeezing the phone in my hand. "I've made you plenty of cash over the years."

"And now, everything is in jeopardy because of decisions you made. Decisions that impact a whole lot of people and their lives." He sighs. "Just tell me why you want this address and I'll see what I can do."

"I need to see Lucas Bentley."

He groans. "Jase, haven't you done enough to fuck with that guy? You're both reporting for community service tomorrow. Leave things the hell alone until then. He's upset enough as it is about your bullshit statement, and his agent is on the rampage."

I tug at the tattered hem of the faded blue hospital blanket underneath me. "I really have to talk to him. It's important. And it has to be in person."

Rex is silent for a minute. "I can get it for you. But Jase, I'm serious. No more bad press. Your career can't take it, and neither can mine. I'm not looking to retire anytime soon."

My eyebrows fly up. "What, and I am?"

"After the stunt you pulled today and after the brawl the other night…" Rex's voice trails off. "Jase, that's exactly what it's looking like. Nobody is gonna want to deal with a player who's such a loose cannon. It's not worth the aggravation. Another right tackle who has just as good an arm and comes with far less risk will show up at some point."

"But I agreed to do the charity work." I sit up straight in the bed. "I agreed to his conditions. He's not firing us."

"You're right. And let's be very frank here. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Hoffman wasn't about to cut one of you and then make the other one do the community service. He needs to save face with the team. You'll ride out the season, but don't be shocked if changes come down the pike afterward. You'll do the service, shine a positive light on the Crusaders organization, and then it'll be over. The team has no shot at the playoffs and money will be tight. My feeling is that you're going to be traded. It's a neat and clean break from the team."

My jaw drops. "So you're saying Hoffman is just stringing me along?"

"He didn't tell me that in so many words, but those in my position have got to learn how to read a situation. And I have, many times. It's not looking good."

My pulse jumps into my throat, so high I almost choke on it. I can hear my dad bellowing in my ear.

"You'll never be the player your brothers are. You know how to play the game, but you don't know how to play the game. What's worse is you'll never learn."

I remember that night and those words so well, it's like I heard them a few minutes ago. But since they're branded into my brain, they're never too far away.

Fuck, I can't get fired. I have to prove my worth and my value on that field.

Funny, I never gave a damn about that before because I was always so confident that the world already knew it, that I was a winner. I let my pride jeopardize not only my job, but Lucas's as well.

I scrub a hand down the front of my face. "I can be better. I promise."

Rex pauses for a beat. "If you want to keep playing football professionally, you have no choice. And neither will I if I have to drop you."