The first regular season game was the following week and it was at home. There was a completely different vibe of excitement in the air and Killian's intensity doubled. I somehow resisted the urge to throttle him the day of the game. I tried to understand, but couldn't help feeling I would be better off at my apartment while he did his intense indifference to me being with him thing. The Scorpions won, and Killian's after-game sex almost made up for my trampled feelings.During the week, I immersed myself in classes, homework, and Wednesday night waitressing. Somehow, the media got wind that I worked at Tillomans and my boring weekday life became social media fodder. My manager didn't mind, but I found it difficult to field questions from sports reporters and do my job.Campus life wasn't much better. Students pointed me out and brave ones asked me about my relationship with Killian."Is it true?""What's he like in bed?""What did you do to rope him in?"Were only a few of the q
The tables near us were not occupied, though it wouldn't have mattered. I turned the full force of my anger on my-ex-boyfriend."What the fuck are you doing, Killian?""My mother wanted to meet you."I took a slow, calming breath hoping I wouldn't start crying. "And I wanted to hear your voice, talk to you, make sure you were okay. But no, you got your suck off and gave me the fuck off. How dare you show up here tonight with your mother."I was impressed that I managed to keep my voice relatively low.I saw a touch of anger spark in Killian's eyes. "I told you what being with me was like during season, Rebecca. I don't like to lose.""You know what, Killian, that's just too damn bad. I'm sorry your tricycle got mangled and messed up the shiny red paint. I'm an adult. I don't like to lose either, but I would never do what you did."Killian's eyes went over my shoulder and I knew his mother was standing behind us.I moved slightly so she could sit down in her chair."I'm sorry,
I woke up early with small kisses to my shoulder."Mmm." It felt too good to articulate more."Can I fuck you now, Rebecca?" Killian's warm breath brushed across my ear."Yes, please."And he did.Twice.I came out of the bathroom knowing we needed to begin our day, but his open arms were too inviting, so I crawled back in bed."Can we talk about what happened after my game?" Killian asked after he tucked me in close.My body immediately stiffened. His fingers slowly smoothed over my skin until I relaxed."Something comes over me when things don't go right on the field. I know you don't want to hear excuses, but please listen?" He gave me time to object, but I didn't say anything. "Most of the women I'm with are only around for a few weeks at most. I've always just wanted someone to fuck with no emotional commitment. I've fucked women in the locker room after a loss. I've never driven them home or brought one back to my house. They meant very little to me, and as you know I'm
The car remained deathly quiet on the trip back to Killian's but he held my hand like he always did. We pulled into his driveway and he hit the button for the garage."You okay?"I turned. "I'm not sure.""I'll let you out and we can go inside and talk."We needed to talk. About many things. I'd spoken to Killian about my parents and sister. He listened, but had offered very little about his personal history. This was so wrong.I followed him, my hand held tightly in his grip. He sat on the couch and brought me into his side."You're angry that I didn't tell you about Michael?" His voice was whisper soft.I looked at the pain in Killian's eyes. "I'm not angry, I'm hurt. Why didn't you tell me? Did you think I'd react badly? Did you think I'd have a problem with your brother's disability?" I couldn't go on because anger was slipping into my voice."God, no," Killian said while pulling me closer. "It's difficult for me to talk about Michael. I knew you would care about him as muc
The following weekend, I flew to Texas for his game. By now, I had several number twenty jerseys in home and away shades. I followed what happened on the field like a pro, but still had trouble watching Killian get tackled or sacked, as the case was in the second quarter. Killian got up instantly then threw a touchdown on the next play. Scorpions won thirty-two to fourteen.The following week was a home game. Malory and I opted to sit down with the other wives and girlfriends. This allowed us to be obnoxiously loud and I discovered what a great cheerleader Malory actually was. I found myself watching our antics a time or two on the big screen and wondered if Killian saw us, too. The Scorpions won seven six, but Killian didn't play well. I could see the fury rolling off him in waves by the end of the game and realized I needed to stay at my apartment that night.He pulled me close in the locker room and we walked to his car. It surprised me when he drove to his house."I don't mind g
I put a lot of thought into my other Christmas gifts for Killiana picture Malory took of us, a heavy-duty silver chain necklace with script metal work saying, "Mine," and a soft wool lap blanket for his feet when he kicked back and watched television. I knew I would use it, too, because he still liked keeping me nearly or completely naked when I cuddled up with him. It was hard to buy for Killian because he had everything, but I was very proud of my choices.Killian bought me a brand-new silver Mustang convertible."But, Killian, you don't even drive a sports car," I said in stunned disbelief."I do now, baby."My hands were shaking as I walked around the polished exterior. "Am I leaving it here at your house?""I hope not. I want you to drive it when you need it.""Someone will steal it from my apartment." I was actually having trouble getting enough oxygen into my lungs and the words came out breathy.He laughed, grabbed me about the waist, and swung me around in a big circle
I began trembling during the ride to the hospital. Malory turned on the heater, but it didn't help. I kept seeing Killian's lifeless body and realized I had to call his mother. I dug my cell out of my pocket and dialed. She answered immediately."He was conscious for a short time." I started crying."Are you going to the hospital?" Her voice had lost the happy inflection it usually held and I sensed her panic."Yes.""I've called Michael's nurse. He's on his way, but it will be a while before I can get there. Hold onto my son, Rebecca. Don't let him go."Hold onto Killian."I will."Malory remained unnaturally calm. There was no way I could have driven at this point. We arrived at the emergency room twenty minutes after we left the stadium. Pete was waiting."They let me ride in the ambulance. Killian's inside. They're doing an evaluation now." Pete said all this as we walked through the doors and made our way to a private waiting room."Was he awake in the ambulance?" I asked
I could do nothing but listen while my heart broke all over again for Beth, Killian, and Michael."Killian didn't speak except to his brother that entire first year. The only reason I fought my husband so badly on turning off the machines was Killian. Michael is his twin and I couldn't separate them. I found a strength I didn't know I had. When school started, I would drop Killian off and he would just stare at me with dead eyes. He spoke to no one, not his teachers or his school friends. I picked him up each day and drove him to the hospital. Killian would walk into the room, take his brother's hand, and start talking. He'd tell him everything and then go home at night completely silent until the following day at the hospital."Beth wiped a tear from her cheek and smiled gently."We found a therapist. He suggested that we keep Killian from his brother's side for two days each week and give him a chance to have time alone with his thoughts; no hospital, just a young boy who would ge