with the news. _Jax the

d also dislocated his shoulder and required six stit

aring down into the open suitcase. My flight

e

ounded at

turned the handle. The heavy,

white bandage plastered across his forehead.

ng heavily against the doorframe for

sy," I sa

He placed a small, sleek white box o

our battery was dying. I thought... you

nsive bribe meant to mask the

need a ph

." He sounded desperate. "I w

box. It felt hea

ank

I need to rest for a few weeks. No football. I was thinking we could finally w

t combination of buttons, I would reboot to the previous version o

't," I

ou have

easily now, smooth and practiced.

rk, soulful eyes that used to make my k

y," he muttered. "You nee

I said

ardly maneuvering

t about the stitches. She faints at the sight o

se," I s

the door, han

are you? I had to do it, El. It

was

week. I knew because I had the receipt wadded up in m

And I meant it. Anger requir

g a relieved, boyish grin.

ka

l

d by the distance. Then, I picked up the iPhone box and dropped i

suitcase z

was shar

tory. He didn't realize he