CHANGING THE PLAYER: Charleston Pirates #1 by Chance, Jacob (digital e reader TXT) 📕

“Grandpa,” Kendra sobs his name. My hands clench the metal railing beside his bed until my knuckles turn white.

“Hey, Grandpa. It’s Flynn and Kendra. We’re here.” There’s no reply aside from the incessant whirring of the machines keeping him alive. “You know, old man, if you wanted us to visit, all you had to do was ask.”

Kendra laughs through her tears. “Some people will do anything for attention,” she adds, and we both chuckle. Some people would find our behavior to be odd, but not if they knew our grandpa. Almost every memory I have of him involves him smiling or laughing. He wouldn’t want us to lose our sense of humor, especially at a time like this.

“Flynn, if you don’t mind, I’d like to have a few minutes by myself with Grandpa.”

“I’ll be down the hall.”

“I’ll get you when I’m done, so you can have a turn,” she says. A turn to say goodbye just in case he doesn’t make it. I hear the rest as if she said the words out loud.

Stepping outside the room, I move down to the end of the hall and text Nadia.

Me: We’re at the hospital now.

Nadia: How is he?

Me: The next twenty four hours are crucial, but he looks horrible.

Nadia: I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help.

Me: Just knowing you’re there helps.

Nadia: Do you want me to fly up there and be with you?

Hell yes, I do. But I won’t ask because this is something I need to handle myself. I can’t use her as a crutch forever. Moving forward, I need to be strong enough for the both of us.

Me: No, there’s no point. But thank you for offering.

Nadia: If you change your mind, let me know.

Me: Where are you now?

Nadia: At your house.

I smile. I’m glad she’s there.

Me: Now I’m going to picture you in my bed.

Nadia: I’m not in your bed.

Me: Not yet, but you will be.

Nadia: Right now, I’m busy making notes about how you can add color to your house.

Me: Color? Who said anything about color?

Nadia: You said you wanted me to make design suggestions.

Me: I do. That’s not color.

Nadia: Of course it involves color.

Me: Go easy with the color ideas.

Nadia: I should cross pink curtains off the list?

She’s adorable for making a joke. I know she’s worried about me.

Me: You’re the only person who could get away with putting pink curtains in my house.

I look up and Kendra is leaving Grandpa’s room.

Me: I need to get back in and see my grandfather some more. I’ll try to call you later.

Nadia: I’m thinking of you guys and praying for your grandfather.

Me: Thank you.

I put my phone in my pocket as Kendra reaches me. Her eyes are red and puffy and it’s obvious she’s been crying again. “Tag, you’re it,” she jokes before her face crumbles like a building being demolished. Pulling her to my chest, I let her cry all the tears she needs to. When she settles down, I return to his room to take my turn at his bedside.

Holding his hand, I say, “Grandpa, this is not how I wanted my next visit with you to go. I was planning to come up here for a vacation as soon as my season ends.” Staring down at the person in the bed, it’s difficult to believe it’s my Grandpa. The skinny, frail body doesn’t even look like him. “Gramps, I hate seeing you like this. In my mind, you’ve always been indestructible. Even though I knew you were getting up there in years, you’ve always been so young at heart, it’s been easy for me to forget. But I shouldn’t have. I feel like an asshole for not getting up here to spend more time with you.”

Releasing his hand, I sit down in the chair next to his bed. “I guess I’ll fill you in on what I’ve been up to. I have someone special in my life and I want to introduce you to her. She’s my agent, Nadia, and I’m sure I’ve mentioned her before. At first, we were pretending to date because my image needed some polishing. I know this won’t surprise you at all, Gramps, and you’re even proud of me for being the wild one that I am. Which is why you’ve always been my favorite person in the whole world.

“Anyway, Nadia is smart and beautiful. She’s probably the nicest person I know, and right now you’re saying to yourself, what the hell is she doing with you, Flynn? And you’re absolutely right.” I nod as if we’re having a two-sided conversation. “At first, we were spending time together as part of a plan we devised, but the more time I spent in her company, the more my feeIings shifted and grew into something amazing. Something unexpected and life changing. And now, I’m in love with her, but I haven’t told her yet.”

I shift my weight on the chair and cross my foot over my knee. “I’m waiting for the right time, Gramps. But when is the right time? How do I know? How did you know Gram was the one for you? I don’t have any experience with romance, but she makes me want to be a better man. And since you’re the best man I know, I’m using you as my role model. If you want to meet the woman who tamed my wild side, you’re going to have to stick around, old man.”

My eyes watering, I close them and pinch the bridge of my nose until I get a grip on my emotions. Opening my eyes, I plant both feet on the tile and stand. I take hold of his hand again. “There’s nothing I want more than for you to stick around and watch me and my team win a Super Bowl. God knows you might be one hundred before it happens, though.” I laugh and then quickly sober.

There’s still so much I need to say.

Leaning