Read Line of Scrimmage for Free Online

the season goes on without them. They don’t have to figure out how to get through the next couple of months. Or even the rest of their lives. They aren’t—” He flapped his uninjured hand in the air.
    “No, they aren’t,” she agreed. “But you might as well deal with it because bitching isn’t going to change things.” Her features softened. “No one argues this is a very bad situation. But getting better and healing is going to be in large part up to you.”
    “Okay, sure.” He grunted. “I’m in great shape to take care of myself.”
    “Well.” She scooted her chair a little closer. “As a matter of fact, funny you should say that. It’s exactly what I came here to discuss with you today.”
    He frowned. “Oh! You have some ideas? Like getting the hospital to keep me a while longer?”
    “Forget it. You no longer require hospital care.”
    “Well, that sucks.” Then a thought popped into his head. “Hey. I could stay with you for a while. Or you could come to my house. Right?”
    Ivy shook her head. “Bad idea. Besides the fact I might end up killing you, I work for a living and don’t have the time to do what needs to be done for you.”
    “Thanks a lot, sis.” He glared at her.
    “Anyway, you’ll be better off in your own place. You can hide away from everyone until you get over this little hump and get back on your feet.” She grinned. “Literally.”
    “Little hump? Fuck.” The cast on his wrist was making him itch like a motherfucker, and he tried to scratch beneath it. One month, Moline had said, to give the torn ligaments a chance to heal. “Okay, maybe you’re right. I don’t need to socialize and put up with anyone’s pity. I don’t feel very social, anyway. I can just drop out of everything until I get the casts off and I’m back on the field.”
    Ivy gave him a look of worry. “Jake, you have to be prepared for the fact that—”
    He sliced a hand though the air. “Don’t say it. I’m going to get back, start conditioning again, and be good as new for next season. I already told coach and everyone. So shut up about that.”
    “Okay, okay, okay. I’m just—never mind. Let’s take care of this problem first.” Ivy took out her cell phone and brought up the notepad. “I did get the names of some excellent caregivers from Dr. Moline. I have a whole list here—”
    “Caregivers?” He shook his head. “A stranger living in my house? A drill sergeant in scrubs? No thanks. No agency creeps.” A sudden wave of sadness gripped him. “Besides, it would remind me too much of Mom.”
    He didn’t think he’d ever forget those last couple of years when their mother was dying and the parade of nurses and attendants through the house. He was just glad he’d had the bucks by then to get her the best. But he knew having someone from an agency around would creep him out. Besides, somehow in his mind, hiring a caretaker or caregiver or whatever the fuck Ivy wanted to call that person was an admission of the severity of his situation. He knew it didn’t make sense but he couldn’t help it.
    Ivy sighed. “Jake, get used to the fact that you can’t live alone until you’re back on both feet. Literally. I mean, for sure someone needs to take care of you,” she added. “You certainly can’t cook for yourself, or clean, among other things.”
    “I have a maid who comes in regularly. I can add more days. And I have every takeout place on speed dial.” He was getting more depressed by the minute. He had no idea what kind of person he could tolerate in his home for the indefinite future.
    “Your laundry needs to be done. You—”
    “The maid does my laundry, too,” he pointed out.
    “Jake.” Ivy shook her head. “This is serious. It’s more than that. Why are you being such an ass about this? Face facts. When you get home, you’ll be pretty incapacitated, at least until you get that cast off your wrist. Getting around won’t be as easy as you