Page 205 of The Surprise Play

Wow. Okay.

So, he’s in love with me, but his parents don’t know I exist, and he’s calling me his tutor, not his girlfriend.

Ouch.

No, more than ouch.

This is brutal.

It hurts.

Like deep in my gut, I’m writhing in pain right now.

Trying to keep my expression neutral is so freaking hard, but I’m not about to start crying in front of these people.

Why isn’t Wily claiming me?

Why—?

“Okay.” His mother nods, still looking confused. “And why are you here?”

It’s hard to talk past the lump in my throat.

My chest is tight, and it’s taking everything in me to keep my voice even as I carry on this lie for my boyfriend.

Wait. Is he still my boyfriend or…?

My stomach clenches and I have to clear my throat, my voice coming out soft and raspy. “I just wanted to stop by and let him know that I’m going to speak to each of his professors and tell them about the injury.” I have to clear my throat again before I can continue. “I’ll let them know that I’ll still be helping him so he can get the credits he needs to graduate.”

His father frowns at me. “I hardly think that’s important right now. In fact, it’s probably best that you run along and let Wily focus on healing his body. The last thing he needs to be worrying about is school and graduation.”

I nod, inching away from the bed.

My resolve to stay by Wily’s side no matter what has completely vanished, snatched away by his parents’ forceful voices… and the fact that Wily just called me his tutor and nothing more.

Flipping my coat over my arm, I lift my bag off the floor and murmur, “Bye, Wily.”

“See ya, Satch,” he croaks.

Just before disappearing behind the curtain, I glance over my shoulder and catch his eye. He looks about ready to cry all over again, and my heart starts burning as I walk out of the emergency treatment room and try to figure out what the hell just happened.

CHAPTER 62

WILY

Fuck.

The look on Satch’s face as she left.

I feel even worse now than I did before.

I need to explain it to her, but I couldn’t do that with my parents right there. I should have told her weeks ago, but whenever we’ve talked about my family, I’ve always steered conversation toward football and their love of the game. I’ve told her surface-level stuff and not once brought up the fact that if they know she’s my girlfriend, they’ll somehow find a way to blame her for my injury.

It sounds insane, but they’re so obsessed with my football career and devastated over what’s happened to me.

Introducing her as my girl right then would have put her directly in their line of fire, and I don’t have the headspace to cope with that right now.

My knee is busted.