Page 131 of Almost Rotten

So I shoot my brother a text instead.

Sawyer:I’m in the tunnel, waiting. Are you and Ty okay?

His response comes through almost immediately.

Atty:I’m fine. He’s not.

Dread rolls through me.

What does that mean?

Before I can ask him to explain, Mercer calls again.

My heart clenches at the sight of his name.

Dammit, I don’t want to leave him waiting.

But I need to know that Atty has this under control.

Sawyer:What did the trainers say?

Atty:You know how he is. He downplayed the pain, and they bought it. Don’t think anyone even looked at his ribs.

Shit, shit, shit.

Ty has an extremely high tolerance for pain, and he’s far too good at disassociating and compartmentalizing, thanks to his abusive, lowlife, scumbag father.

My phone buzzes in my hand.

Mercer:I parked. I’m coming in.

Groaning, I slump against the wall. I need a plan. Mercer and Tytus in the same space is a recipe for trouble.

Before I’ve come up with a solution, I’m startled out of my thoughts by a feminine voice.

“Mrs. Tremblay?”

I slam my eyes closed and take a deep, shaky breath. When I turn around, I plaster a big smile on my face.

“Nicole!” I greet, hoping like hell I sound genuinely excited.

She moves in to kiss my cheek, and I use the gesture to grasp her elbows and steady myself, anchoring my body for an interaction I’m so not prepared to have right now.

“Ty mentioned you would be here. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Likewise.” She beams. “This is Brendan, one of the staff photographers. Has Tytus come out yet?”

I press my lips together and shake my head.

She grimaces. “I’m sure their coach had some words of wisdom to share after that one. What a loss.”

My lungs deflate, my shoulders lowering. “It was.”

She arches a brow, as if just now really taking me in. “You’re wearing number three tonight?”

I follow her gaze to my Holt Bolts jersey, internally cringing. “Oh. Number three is Atticus Davvies, my twin brother.”

“Ah!” She breaks into a delighted smile. “That makes sense. You had me worried there for a minute,” she laughs good-naturedly. “I’ve been going on and on at the office about what a great couple you and Tytus make. The entire staff and team are eager to welcome you both to Georgia.”