Loyal

Chapter 71

Colin's POV

            "What do you mean she doesn't want to see me?"

Leah lets out that signature sigh on the other end of the line, I know she's rolling her eyes too. I'm on the phone with her for the third time today. I almost flipped the hospital bed when I got there and Vera had already checked out. Nobody wanted to keep me updated, not even Becca. Two days ago, she was discharged. And not a damn phone call from anyone to let me know. Football practices, meetings, press conferences,  is all getting in the way of me being there for her.

                        "It means she doesn't want to see you Colin."

            "Leah...You don't understand," I put my head into my hands. Vera is so damn stubborn sometimes. Leah doesn't make things any easier.

            "Make something happen Leah. I'm going out of my fuckin mind." I hang up the phone and head into the conference room. Levi stadium is in a frenzy today, especially with our recent losses. Everyone and their mama wants to get me behind a mic to answer questions. It probably isn't a good idea to get all caught up in a conversation with Leah right before getting in front of the cameras. I'm heated, but I try to relax, breathing deeply in and out. Feels like I have the whole fuckin world on my shoulders. Becca grabs my arm before I head out onto the platform.

                        "Colin, turn up the charm this time. Don't let them think we have any problems on the field. We are a strong team, remember that. Strong and ready to go all the way to the super bowl if we make it by the hairs on our asses!" I look down at Becca and nod fervently. I keep fidgeting with my hands, I can't stop thinking of Vera. I can't stop thinking about Cam. I can't stop thinking that it's my fault she ended up in the hospital. I shouldn't have let her go. I shouldn't have let her get into the car with him. I shouldn't have underestimated his stupidity to do something so extreme. 

            "Hairs on our asses?" I laugh lightly, trying to convince Becca I'm all in. I give her a convincing wink and  head to the podium, smiling fearlessly to all of the reporters.

Vera's POV

            "I have a doctor's appointment," I say casually to Leah, pulling out the pan of peanut butter chocolate chip cookies from the oven. It's the third batch I've made. There's something comforting about the smell of peanut butter these days. 

                        "What's wrong V?" 

            "Nothing, why?"

                        "You only bake this much when you're nervous." Damn. Caught.

            "No I don't. I'm just....you know, hungry." 

                        "And an appointment? So soon?"

            "It's a check-up. You know, to see if I'm okay and whatnot." I bite into one of the cookies from the previous batch. It's soft, and peanut buttery, totally satisfying my craving. 

                        "Oh, ok. I'll drive you," Leah gets up from the arm chair in the living room. 

            "No, no no no. I'll be fine. I don't need a ride Leah, it'll be quick," I grab the keys from the counter before she can make a dive for them. 

Leah looks at me questioningly, then shrugs.

                        "Ok. But you're going to have to do something about Colin eventually. I can't keep telling him you just don't want to see him. He deserves the chance to see if you're ok."