Page 168 of Broken Saint

“Try and get rid of me all you like, but I’m not leaving this hospital, El.”

“I’m not trying…” I start to argue but quickly trail off. “You need to look after yourself. You’re going to have to play again soon and?—”

“I love you for worrying about me, I really do. But I’m okay. Trust me, yeah?”

“I do,” I assure him before turning my eyes back to his big brother. “Thank you,” I say again, more grateful than he could ever believe that he talked their dad into letting me back in here.

He falls silent for the longest time, scrolling through his phone while I watch Colt rest.

“I’ve been keeping tabs on Benny,” West suddenly says, making me look over at him. “His stats are good. He’s having a good season.”

“Yeah?” I muse, pride for my little brother bubbling up. “He’d probably do even better if he could focus solely on football and forget the girls for a bit.”

“Pfft, where’s the fun in that? It’s stress relief; you know that as well as I do.” He winks.

I shake my head as a few of the times I helped Colt with “stress relief” flicker through my mind.

“Sure. I just don’t want him to miss out on something epic because he was too busy securing his next lay. God, am I really talking about my little brother like this?” I mutter to myself.

“He’s not so little anymore. He’s going to be a killer draft pick when the time comes. I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about. Does he have any ideas for where he wants to go?”

We fall into an easy conversation about Benny’s dream teams and what his future in the NFL could look like.

Just like West, Benny has been dreaming about playing professionally since the first time he touched the pig skin.

Dad always thought it was a pipe dream from watching games on the TV. But then he started playing in middle school and we were all blown away.

“I’m going to go and stretch my legs. Grab a coffee or something,” he says. “You want anything?”

I shake my head.

“El,” he warns.

“Surprise me,” I relent.

He smiles, but there isn’t much joy in it.

With another look at his brother, he takes off.

Silence falls around me, making the walls feel like they’re closing in.

“So…your dad is…fucking terrifying,” I start, unsure of what else to say. “I don’t want to condone violence against your parent, but did you hear what he said? He meant it, too. I get it. You’re a player. Vowed to never give your heart to anyone. But seriously?

“West confessed to you talking about me, though. I’d love to know what you told him.” A small smile plays on my lips. While I thought he didn’t care, he was telling his dad about me.

If only Colt had shown that side to me sooner. If he wasn’t so scared to open up and be vulnerable, things could have been so much different.

No.

I shut down that train of thought.

Everything that happened did so for a reason.

We were always meant to have the time apart we did. It made us stronger. Showed us what we really wanted.

Although, I’m not sure what our current situation is teaching us. Maybe that he should retire early.

Become a househusband.