Page 74 of Cross My Heart

Tyler’s face clouded. “You don’t get it.”

Nadia turned to Josh.

He tried to step around her, but Nadia grabbed his arm. “Josh, back me up here.” She gave Josh a desperate look.

Josh hesitated. “More time couldn’t hurt.”

Tyler’s eyes flashed. “Don’t. This is hard enough.” He shook off Nadia’s grip and flashed a bright, false grin. “Vegas, baby. I’m going to be great. Wait and see.” He tugged open the door and headed out, refusing to look back at them.

Nadia threw up her hands in frustration. “You two are making me nuts.” She grabbed her purse and keys.

“What are you doing?” Josh didn’t understand.

“Driving you so you two can actually say goodbye, because he’s acting like a macho dumbass.”

Josh rolled his eyes. “I can drive a car.”

“Hon, it’s not like a normal person catching a flight. This has probably leaked on TMZ. You got TV stations, paparazzi. Football is a billion-dollar business.”

“Right. Jesus, I hadn’t—”

Her brow furrowed. “You need to start, hon. There will be a lot of cameras waiting. Reporters. Maybe fans. It can get physical. Nasty, even.” She looked at the door and shook her head. “He’s just not thinking.”

At that moment, Josh realized how unprepared he was for whatever mess came next. “I’m an idiot.”

“A matched set.” She smiled kindly at him. “Two idiots, but lovable. You’re a rookie, so you get a pass this time. For him, there’s no excuse.”

Josh took a deep breath and followed her outside, bracing himself for the awful goodbye ahead.

Tyler stood on the little lawn, staring up at the roof or maybe the sky, frowning and shaking his head with the bulgy bag still balanced on his shoulder.

Nadia locked her door and pointed Tyler to her car.

“You’re coming?” He gave her a squinty look of confusion.

“Unless you want Entertainment Tonight rummaging through your undies at prime time, you guys are going to need some help.”

Tyler tossed the duffel in the front passenger seat of Nadia’s car, propped up and buckled in like a passenger. “Camouflage,” he said. He slid into the back seat, his long legs barely fitting.

Josh climbed in next to him, their thighs pressed together. He was going to miss the closeness most of all.

As Nadia pulled out of the driveway, Tyler laced his fingers through Josh’s. “I don’t want to go back,” he whispered.

Josh squeezed in response. “It’s your call. I get it. Proving you can or protecting yourself.”

Nadia was not as tactful. “Nuts. What is so important about a game you need to go die for it?” She stared at him in the rearview mirror.

Josh leaned into him. “Just don’t let fear make the decision for you.”

“I’m not afraid,” Tyler said defensively.

Nadia snorted from the front seat. “Please. You’re terrified. And you should be. Your heart exploded on live television in front of a billion people.” She threw up her hands and smacked the wheel in exasperation. “They got you going on camera tonight in Vegas so they can pretend you’re invulnerable.”

Tyler scowled at the rearview mirror.

“You do what you need. You’re going to make the right choice,” Josh added gently. “Closure is worth it.”

“Maybe.” Tyler tucked his chin over Josh’s head and sighed. “I wish you could come with me.”