Chapter 11 #2
“Jax thought he was going to get up to college and still be running things the way he did in high school, but he learned real quick that’s not how it works outside of our small town.
The very first time he got put on the field, he was knocked on his ass by A&M and ended up breaking his leg.
He’s never been back on the field since. ”
“Scored the touchdown, though,” Nash adds, earning an eye roll from his brother.
“His dreams went out the window, and he became an accountant instead.” Crew takes a sip of his beer, shaking his head.
“The kid was an asshole to Savannah, but for some reason, he’s always been able to talk his way back into her heart.
When you’re in high school, you think that’s the only thing that matters…
you don’t realize there’s a whole world out there just waiting for you to discover it.
She was a cheerleader, so Savannah thought dating a football player was the thing to do, and from what Jaxon told her, he’d always had a crush on her but was too afraid to say anything. ”
Brody laughs. “That should’ve been her first red flag.”
“You would think, but our sister likes to see the good in people.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Nash defends.
“There is when it comes to someone like Jaxon Gallagher,” Crew says. “That kid broke her heart on more than one occasion. She would never admit it, but seeing him go after Olivia Jakes two weeks after they broke up for good crushed her.”
Damn, what an asshole.
I’m starting to understand why they are so against her hanging out with him. He sounds like nothing more than a washed-up football player trying to relive the glory days, ex-girlfriend included.
“Alright, that’s enough talk about Jaxon,” Nash says. “I knew I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Well, if she’s gonna start dating the fucker again—”
“I didn’t say that!”
“You just said she went on a date with him this morning.”
“But I didn’t say they’re dating.”
Crew stares hard at his little brother, and then looks at me and Brody. “Is it even realistic to try and date someone outside of the industry? I mean, you guys are gone over half the year. That can’t be good for a relationship.”
“It does happen. Some people are better at making it work than others,” Brody says. “But it’s hard. People who aren’t in this…they don’t get it.”
“They can’t,” I add, seeing Crew’s eyes flicker to this brother again. “Unless you’re part of this…you can’t understand.”
“Most times, people end up breaking up, but like I said, some make it work.”
The brothers nod in unison. I notice Crew’s thumbnail picks at the label on his bottle, and he chews on the inside of his bottom lip.
He takes a deep breath, and when he blinks, his eyes look up from the flame straight into mine.
Eyes slightly narrowed, he continues to stare at me without saying a word, but he doesn’t have to…
He’s trying to piece together whatever he thinks is going on between me and Savannah.
Don’t think I haven’t seen the way you look at our sister. Was it really that obvious?
“Is she doing okay?” Nash asks, and I rip my gaze from the oldest Williams. “Sav, I mean. I’d like to think she’d tell us,”—he looks to Crew for confirmation—“but I don’t know.
This is a first…SJ is the first one of us to move farther than two hours away.
Hell, even the twins are just going to UT in the fall. ”
“And you think she’d tell us?” Brody chuckles. “You’re better off asking Rae or Wolf.”
“I think she’s doing okay, all things considered,” I say, and all heads whip in my direction.
“Getting accustomed to the life, being on the road all the time…It’s hard on anyone, like we said earlier, but she’s kicking ass.
If she keeps it up, I think she’ll be one of the top women in the division within the next year. ”
It’s quiet for a moment, and I look from the dwindling fire to the barn in the distance, where a light still shines through the window of the upper floor.
Savannah left not long after the others.
I assumed she was going to bed, but instead, she took a water bottle from the cooler next to her brother and walked straight to the barn.
That’s partially what started the whole conversation about Jaxon—her brothers going through a list of things that could have bothered her enough to make her want to go up in the barn and hit the old punching bag.
“You guys will keep an eye on her, right?” Nash asks. “Since we can’t be there.”
Brody laughs. “Your sister can take care of herself.”
“Oh, we have no doubt,” Crew says. “But if she needs something, we’re not just down the road anymore. I can’t be there in a quick drive if something happens.”
“I have no doubt you would be if she called,” I say, turning back to the three of them, and it makes him laugh. He nods, unable to deny it, but no one continues the conversation further.
After a moment, Crew slaps his hands on his knees and stands from the lawn chair, stretching his limbs, and we all follow suit.
“Goodnight, gentlemen. We’ll see you in the morning for breakfast before you leave,” Nash says, picking up the cooler and dumping the melted ice water onto the remaining flame. A quiet sizzle follows before he offers a final nod and leaves.
“Brooks, you mind if I get a word?” Crew asks before I can do the same. Brody chuckles, shaking his head without so much as a supportive glance, and walks toward the guest house. “Look, I didn’t mean to call you out…about Savannah.”
“No harm done,” I say, except for the fact that apparently I’m not as good about hiding how I feel about her as I thought.
“I’m just a little concerned.”
Concerned?
“You understand where I’m coming from, right?”
“I don’t think I do.”
“Well, you know, you’re known for being a bit of a...How do I say this? Manwhore.”
“You mean I used to be known as that, but you can’t believe everything you hear.”
“So, you weren’t sleeping with Chelsea Rafferty to get in good with her father?” Crew’s brow raises, arms crossing over his chest.
I don’t even try to hide my scoff. Is that supposed to be a joke?
“Y’know, I’ve heard a lot of rumors about myself, but this is the first time I’ve heard that one.
No, I have never—and would never—sleep with Chelsea Rafferty.
But I especially wouldn’t sleep with Chelsea to get in good with Amos.
I don’t know what you think you know, Crew, but I’ve worked my ass off to get where I am.
” I shake my head, glancing toward the barn where the window still shines like a beacon in the night.
“When it comes to Savannah, I’ve kept my distance from her because that’s what she wants—”
“You seem pretty attached for someone who just met her a few months ago.” His dark brow cocks a little further.
Remember when I said I liked the Williams brothers? I might have to take it back. Don’t get me wrong, I get it. If it were my little sister, I’d be doing the same thing, but I’m not the one they need to worry about.
“I care about your sister more than I’ve cared about someone in a long time.
It’s hard to explain, and I don’t totally understand it myself, but I’m not here to cause problems, Crew.
I would never push her to do something she’s uncomfortable with.
I respect her, and I respect her decision not to date a coworker.
Honestly, it’s probably the smartest thing she could do, knowing some of the guys we work with.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t be her friend. ”
Even in the shadows, I can see the small smile tug on Crew’s face. Digging his hands into his pockets, he takes a deep breath and nods.
“You’re a good guy, Brooks,” he says, and it feels like there is more he wants to say, but for whatever reason, he doesn’t. After a second, he chuckles. “But if you break my sister’s heart, I’ll kill you.”