As I strolled into the house from the garage, my phone buzzed in my backpack. Was it Grey calling? With the close bond we’d shared over the last few weeks, it had been surprisingly hard not to have him by my side most of the day.
After setting my backpack on the kitchen island, I fished my phone out and peeked at it. “Shimá?” I answered the call and set the phone on speaker. “Hey, Shimá, how are you?”
“I’m doing well, Malik. How’s my favorite nephew?” Her smile carried in her voice.
Falling onto the couch, I said, “I impressed Coach with my performance at camp last week, and classes started today.” Shit, I should have called her sooner, but I’d been too wrapped up in Grey.
“I heard from your father that Grey came to live with you.”
“Yes, he did. It’s been…um, great.” I winced. It had been so much more than great. But I couldn’t tell anyone. Except for Tex, and only because it was necessary.
“Great, huh?” She gave a quick laugh. “Why do I detect something off in your voice then?”
Nothing ever got past her. Nothing. “It’s been a long day. I’m just tired.” Would she buy it? I rolled my lips.
“Malik, I had a dream last night.” Her voice grew serious. “It wasn’t a good one.”
“What?” My heart pitched. Her damned dreams were never wrong. “It had nothing to do with my football, did it?” Hell, had she seen me getting an injury?
“I’m not sure yet. In the dream, you were upset. Crying. Something terrible had happened, and you refused to tell anyone what it was,” she said.
My eyes popped open. “Did…do you think I had a football injury that ended my career?” I clenched my jaw. Fuck, if that’s what it was, I preferred ignorance. It could affect how I played once the games started.
“It didn’t feel like that to me. It was more a matter of the heart.” She sighed. “But you’re not seeing anyone seriously, are you?”
“No.” Well, I’d sort of like to be seeing Grey seriously, but that might be a pipe dream unless he could get his shit together with his father. I couldn’t tell her about Grey, could I? She could keep a secret. She was the only one who knew I was bisexual. She’d been waiting for me to announce it, but I’d lacked both the inclination and the opportunity.
“Maybe it’s time to come out to the family. You know they’d accept you.”
It was like she could read my damn mind. “I know, Shimá. But I’d rather do it in person. Maybe when I’m home for Christmas?”IfI went home this year. Maybe I’d end up in New York with Grey.
“Okay, then I’ll leave it be.” She huffed a breath. “Something is happening there, isn’t it? The energy feels off.”
Tipping my head back, I gazed at the ceiling fan centered in the room and freed a rough exhale. Damn it, I couldn’t tell her. But the situation between Grey and me was okay right now. It must be something else she felt. “I don’t know.” With a chuckle, I said, “Maybe you’re sensing we’re about to lose to NAU in our home opener on Saturday.”
A soft laugh carried through the phone. “Maybe that’s it. Would it make you cry to lose the game?”
“No.” I scoffed. But if Grey were badly hurt, it might. Hell, I didn’t know.
“How did Grey do at camp? Will they play him?” She asked.
She’d followed our football journey and knew almost as much about it as I did. “I think so. If we’re far ahead in the game, I think Coach will play him in the second half.” I straightened my head, my gaze wandering to the sunny afternoon playing out in the backyard.
“Well, exercise caution and take care of each other. I hate to give you bad news, Malik, but you know being prepared for such things is the best way to avoid them.”
“Yes, I know.” Her words ruminated in my head. Shit, maybe she sensed something bad between Grey and Ella? Should I warn him? No, I’d monitor that situation and prepare for any fallout. I’d be there for him if shit went south.
“Okay, on to another subject. How are your classes so far? I know it’s only the first day, but are you happy with your professors?”
“I am.” A grin teased my lips. I’d been lucky and had gotten all the ones I’d wanted. “It won’t be super easy this year, but I’ll get through it. I’m excited about my molecular biology class.”
“Glad to hear it.” She paused. “I hope I didn’t scare you too much, but I felt an obligation to warn you about the dream.” She blew out a breath. “These things can be so cryptic sometimes. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what they mean.”
“Yeah, I know.” My body relaxed. If she got more of them, then I’d worry in earnest. “I’ll keep an eye out for any negative energy heading my way.” Or Grey’s way, since he was the one facing obstacles right now. “Let me know if you have more dreams, okay?”
“I will, and who knows, maybe the next one will be positive? That’ll show me the negative energy has passed.” She chuckled. “I love you, Malik.”
“Love you, too.” I sucked a deep inhale. “Bye now and take care.”