Beg You to Trust Me (Lindon U #2)(86)

I hear the telltale signs of my phone going off in the locker across from me, so I dig it out and see a string of texts from various people.

Ma: Please tell me you’re okay.

Ma: CALL ME RIGHT NOW!

Grandma M: If you need us to come get you, say the word. I’ll kick those Raiders butts myself

Raine: What’s the prognosis? That was a hard hit





Yeah, no shit. I can still feel it.

Brady: You doing okay, man?





He didn’t end up coming to this game, so he must be watching at home. After his physical therapy session, he said he would be too uncomfortable stuffed in the bus with us. Coach wasn’t happy about it, but then again, when is he?

Blondie: Are you okay???

Blondie: Can I come see you?





There are other messages, but I ignore them all after seeing hers. Scratching my jaw and letting out a heavy breath, I listen to the distant rumblings of the crowd and wonder what’s going on. Who’s scoring? Who’s in the lead?

At last count, Raiders are.

After my fall, they probably will be until the final countdown.

Me: I’ll live, Blondie

Blondie: Are you hurt bad?





My eyes go to the arm.

Me: I’ve had worse





It’s not entirely true, but I know it’s what she needs to hear right now. Usually I deal with concussions, which I won’t be shocked to hear I have yet another of after this game, but that’s it. A day of rest, a game or two on the bench, and I’m back to new.

This time? I don’t think I’ll be so lucky.

Me: I can give ur name to one of the workers and tell them to send u this way

Me: If u want…





Ten minutes later, the sound of my voice being called from the doorway has me turning toward the girl who says it. There’s a security guard who gives me a pointed look like he’s warning us from doing anything he’ll have to hear from outside the door.

“Hey,” she greets, walking in hesitantly.

“It’s just us,” I assure her.

Her body eases as she stops beside me.

I don’t think before wrapping my good arm around her waist and tugging her into my lap. She’s careful not to brush my bad arm as she settles in, body a little stiff until I loosen my grip to let her know she can move anytime she wants.

I just…need to be near her.

Her fruity scent that smells like peaches and vanilla.

Her warmth that thaws some of my bitterness.

I lean my head against her shoulder and heft out a sigh. “We’re going to lose,” I tell her, feeling it in my gut.

“You don’t know that.”

But I do. With me out and Wallace making his own plays, the team is disjointed. We’re not working as a unit like we’re supposed to. If I’d kept at the play Coach told us to do, I wouldn’t be sitting here. I’d be with my team, geared up, fighting until the end.

I simply shake my head.

Her hand comes down and takes mine, weaving our fingers together. She rests them on her leg, brushing the back of my hand with her thumb. I close my eyes and absorb the moment.

There’s a beat where it’s silent between us. Then, “I’m glad you came, Skylar.”

She doesn’t hesitate. “Me too.”

I turn my head and brush my lips against her shoulder, covered in layers to keep her warm.

Even then, she still shivers.

In a shaky breath, she repeats, “Me too.”



Hours later, the doctor in the emergency room points to the lit-up image hanging on the wall, tapping on a few different spots. “See this? There appears to be tearing in the ligaments. Knowing your history, it could have been there long before this point, especially with your sport, but it was definitely worsened by today’s injury.”

Ma squeezes my hand like the doc is telling me I have six months to live. As soon as she saw the fading shiner I have on top of the sling holding my arm she about lost her mind.

She insisted on going with me to the hospital despite me suggesting Skylar come with me instead. But when she pointed out Sky’s never driven around here before, she made it her mission to be the one to play chauffer.

The pepper-haired doctor gives me a solemn, almost apologetic look. “The ligaments previously torn were damaged again. Some worse than others. Not going to lie, son, surgery would be a good option for you. It’d be the best one you have.”

I start to shake my head in protest. “I don’t think—”

“Will it fix the problem?” Ma asks before I can reject the idea outright. She shoots me a look to stay quiet before turning back to the expert.

“It’ll help with stability,” he explains. “If treated early enough, there’s less of a chance that he’ll have permanent damage. But playing football will always increase the probability of reinjury even after the procedure.”

Ma makes a disgruntled noise. When she found out I went back out to watch the last quarter despite being told to come here instead she wasn’t happy with me. She was even less thrilled to find out I stormed the field after that jackass took Aiden down while his teammates ran the winning touchdown.

I rub my neck. “I’ve been having some problems with my shoulder over the past couple of months. Bites of pain. Nothing too bad. Was that a sign that I’d damaged it before this game?”