to play for the entire rest of the season. The Aces are projected to do really well. This season could be his shot at a Super Bowl ring, and while I believe he’ll still get one if the team wins the big game, this certainly wouldn’t be how he’d want it. Maybe they won’t even get there with one of their key players out.
My heart breaks for him.
Luke studies every play. I set a bowl of popcorn beside him, but it sits totally neglected as he pauses and rewinds live TV so he can focus on what certain players are doing and then watch again to see what other players are doing in reaction.
It’s not really the most entertaining way to watch the game, but it does tell me he’d make a good position coach. I still want to get him to talk about the future, but he’s so focused on his injury right now that it’s just not a good time.
I head to my office. Two of the Aces guys have signed up for publicity with me and both are looking for community outreach ideas, so I research some different opportunities that take place on Tuesdays since that’s their only day off.
I drown myself in work for a couple hours, and then I grab lunch for both Luke and me around noon. I set a sandwich and salad on the couch beside him, and he hardly acknowledges me.
I go back to the office, and when I emerge at one to watch the Aces game with him, I see that his sandwich and salad still sit untouched beside him.
“Eat,” I command.
He doesn’t even look at me. “Not hungry,” he grunts.
“Eat it anyway, or Pepper will.” I go for a light, teasing tone.
He pushes the plate away.
“Come on, Luke,” I beg. “You need your strength to get healthy. At least do your leg exercises if you won’t eat.”
He sighs. “What difference does it make? We both know this is the end of my career.”
“Regardless of what comes next in your career, you’re young. You still need to get healthy. Are you just going to sit on the couch with your knee propped for the rest of your life?”
He purses his lips, and I wonder what he’d do without me. Maybe sit on the couch forever.
I’m not allowing that.
“I know it’s a tough road.” I take his hand in mine. “But I’m right here, okay?” I know it’s not enough, that I am not enough, but I still need him to know he isn’t going through this alone. And when I say that I’m right here, I really mean we—both me and this baby I think I’m carrying. “We’ll get through it. You’ll come out stronger once you’re able to start therapy.”
He pulls his hand away. “You and I both know that’s not true.”
I pick up his plate and set it directly on his lap. “I know it’s true. I just need you to believe it, too. Having a bad attitude isn’t going to change it.”
He lets out an exaggerated sigh, like I’m an annoyance who’s just in his way. And then the Aces game starts, and that’s the end of our conversation as he laser-focuses on it.
“Coach put in Higgins,” he mutters as soon as he sees his team take the field. “I knew he would. That kid was just waiting for something to happen to either Josh or me. Man, did he luck the fuck out.”
“You getting hurt isn’t lucky for anybody,” I say, doing my best to keep the tone positive in here.
He just gives me a look like I’m dumb. Maybe I am for believing the best in people, but I guess it’s true. Tristan Higgins wouldn’t have gotten this opportunity today if Luke was on the field.
I sit beside him as we watch a little bit of the game, and he yells at the television. A lot. I’ve never seen him get so passionate about anything before, and if we weren’t sitting here because he’s hurt, it would be hilariously entertaining to watch him.
But the truth of the matter is that we are here because of an injury.
Higgins makes some unbelievable catch, and Luke mutters a curse.
“Why’s it a bad thing he made that catch?” I ask.
He gives me that same look as before, and then he sighs. “This is his chance to prove he’s more valuable than me, and he’s doing it. Handily. They won’t negotiate a new contract with me because they won’t need me