Page 143 of The Surprise Play

I hiss. “Dude, that’s savage. She actually said that to you?”

“Her tone was sweet. She obviously felt bad saying it but wanted to be completely honest with me.”

I nod, but I’m still not very happy with her. I’m all for honesty, but not when it’s gonna slice someone in half. “Do you think there’s someone else?”

He glances at me, his gaze tortured. “I thought maybe, but she promises me there’s not. She just said she couldn’t keep going like this. And then she asked me not to try winning her back. She wants space. End of story.” Scrubbing a hand over his mouth, he then grips his chin. “Fuck. I wish I just could get over it. It’s been nearly two months, and I’m still pining for her. It hurts, man.” He taps his chest. “I just wish I could forget about her, but she was… she was my woman, you know?”

I look at the teddy bear sitting next to my buddy, and for the first time ever… I do actually know. If Satch said that shit to me, I’d be destroyed, and we’ve only been officially dating for around a month. Teah and Grady were together for almost a year.

“It sucks, man. I’m really sorry you’re going through this.”

“Yeah,” he sighs. “Me too.” Looking back at me, his expression buckles as he mumbles his own apology. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a shitty roommate lately. I don’t want to drag everyone down with me. I’m just struggling to deal.”

“It’s okay.” I step forward, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “We’re here for you. Anything you need.”I scramble to think of ways to cheer him up and start firing off ideas. “I’m away this weekend, but maybe when I get back, we can take off for a hike or a camping weekend. That’d be fun. Or we could do it over spring break or something. That’ll be here before we know it.”

He turns to look at me, almost surprised by my suggestion. “You won’t be too busy with your girl? You two are in that all-consumed-by-each-other phase. Sure you can break away for a day or two?”

I laugh. “I’ll make sure I do. I’m not bailing on my friends.” I cringe. “I know it’s felt like that this week, but I promise I’m not turning into the douche who ditches.” Stroking the top of the teddy bear’s head, I try to explain. “It’s Satch’s birthday today, and I want to make it special. I’m going to meet her parents this weekend.”

“Really?” His eyes bulge. “Wow, dude. This is serious.”

“Yeah, man.” I nod, looking him in the eye. “It is.”

He raises his eyebrows, obviously surprised.

“She’s different,” I murmur, unable to fight my grin.

“Look at you,” he teases me. “All loved-up and shit.”

Cringing, I give him another apology. “That’s probably the last thing you want to be around.”

He sighs and gets to his feet. “That’s okay. I need to get used to it. Between Zander, Carson, and you, I’m surrounded. You’re dropping like flies.”

I laugh, lightly slapping his arm. “You’ll fall again someday, man. You’re too much of a romantic not to.”

“Yeah.” Sliding his hands into his pockets, he gazes down at my Valentine’s bear with a glum smile.

“Teah will fade,” I try to encourage him, hoping I’m right.

She was cool. I liked her, and they seemed like anawesome couple together. But something obviously wasn’t right.

Damn, I hate that she hurt him, and I wish they were still together, but if she doesn’t love him anymore, then I don’twantthem together. Grady deserves to be with someone who adores him, and that chick is out there somewhere. She’ll cross his path soon enough, and I tell him that before he walks out of the kitchen.

“Thanks,” he mumbles, obviously not believing me.

I watch him go, running a hand through my hair, glad we’ve cleared the air between us but still feeling bad for the guy.

I’ll have to let Satch know that after the Scouting Combine, I’m gonna need a weekend to take Grady away for a hiking trip. The guy lives for the outdoors, comes to life in nature.

You know what? I’m gonna ask everyone in the house to set aside a weekend. Grady needs our support, and we can spare some time to do that.

Making a mental note to catch up with the rest of the guys, I start mapping out what we can do to snap Grady out of his funk.

He needs us, and I’m gonna be there for him.

Satch will understand that. Knowing her, she’ll encourage me to make it happen.

Excitement sizzles through me as I think ahead to a weekend with the guys… then it shifts to a different buzz as I picture the look on Satch’s face when she opens the door and finds me standing there with her first gift of the day.