Tackling Love - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,40
I’m in his arms and being carried to the car. Gray opens the door and carefully lowers me into it. I look up at him. His features are of concern, and I wish he were Colt. And at the simple thought of Colt, tears run down my face.
“Damn! Did I hurt you?”
I shake my head, unable to speak.
Gray’s brown eyes probe mine, and finally, he nods. “Skye, where’s your handbag and purse?”
Confused by the question, I answer him. “On the table near the front door.”
Gray nods, shuts the door, and jogs back inside the house. It feels like forever before Gray comes back to the car. He opens the driver’s door and hands me my purse, a black T-shirt and black shorts.
“Oh shit, I’m practically naked.”
Gray chuckles. “I did put a towel around you.”
I immediately pull the T-shirt over my head and shimmy into my shorts, trying to keep them away from my knee.
“Gray, I’m fine, really.”
“No, you’re not. Colt’s a dick, and you’re hurt. I don’t think they’re going to be able to put stitches in your knee, but it needs care, and your hand looks bad.”
Looking down at the palm of my hand, I can see something is sticking out from under the skin. Sucking in a breath and wincing, I push on it causing me to whimper.
“Leave it be.” I look up at him, his hands are gripping the wheel, and he’s staring hard at the road. “I’m sorry things went the way they did at the game. Tom was out of line, and Colt should have told him so.”
A tear runs down my face. “It’s okay, it wasn’t meant to be.”
“Bullshit!”
I shake my head. “Gray, you tried. I saw Colt’s face…” Another tear rolls down my cheek and drops off my chin. “I’ve never seen him so angry.”
“I’m not going to lie, losing the game sucked. Colt fumbled the ball. Ever since you and he began arguing, he’s been playing badly.”
“You have to be in the same room to argue. I haven’t seen much of Colt since the dinner party with you and your mom.”
“Wait, didn’t he come to the school?”
“Yeah, but I was pissed. He did phone me, but after today, I’m pretty sure it’s over.”
More tears escape, and I wipe them away with the back of my good hand.
“You and Colt are both idiots,” mutters Gray with a shake of his head.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Did you try to phone him? Did you try to see him? The man misses you, but he has an ego the size of ten football fields. You need to fight for him.”
I bark out a hysterical laugh. “I need to fight for him? Come on, Grayson, he needs to grow up and get a set of balls. Not all relationships are rosy. They have their ups and downs, but it’s like he’s always waiting for the downtime so he can bolt.”
With his lips in a hard line, Gray nods. “Yeah, you’re right. Colt is used to things coming easy to him, but you’ve got to understand he cares for you, and it’s more than a little. Colt has never brought a woman home to meet my mom.”
“Never?”
“Nope.” He glances at me. “You’re the only one, and that should tell you something.”
Gray glances at me one more time, then continues to drive. I turn my head and look out the window as silent tears continue to fall. When the car eventually stops, I realize we’re back at the stadium.
“Why are we here?”
“The best doc I know is Dr. Reed, he’s our team doctor. He’s always here after a game checking up on us, and usually the last one to leave.”
It’s then I take in Grayson’s appearance, he’s wearing a tracksuit.
“Did you follow me home, straight from the game?”
“Uh… yeah,” he replies sarcastically.
“I didn’t even have time to shower. You’re smelling Eau de Grayson. Smells good, doesn’t it?” With a laugh, he climbs out of the car.
I watch as Gray jogs around the hood and opens my door.
“I can walk.”
Trying not to wince, I get out and limp across the parking lot. I’m going super slow, and Gray walks slightly behind me.
“Uh… Skye? You know I like you, yeah? And I’d never hit on you as you’re my best friend’s girl.”
I stop and look at him. “And?”
Gray scoops me up and walks faster toward the stadium.
“Gray!”
“Woman, you’re hobbling. And I know I said the doc is the last one to leave, but he’ll be home, in bed, and asleep by