Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Hallie wasn’t avoiding the house.
At least that was what she told herself as she drove around town aimlessly. She stopped by the antique shop and chatted with Wendy and Serenity, but she avoided all topics related to Jacob.
At least at first.
But then Faith showed up around lunch time. She’d always been better at recognizing when someone needed to talk about something and the second she saw Hallie’s face, she paused. “What did he do?”
It was then that Serenity and Wendy exchanged glances.
This was probably something Hallie should have discussed with Sammie. Caleb wasn’t close to Jacob. He wouldn’t spill anything if he overheard the conversation.
But Faith was with Brent, and he’d gotten closer to Jacob while he’d been competing last year. Not only that, but Faith was Tate and Jason’s younger sister. There was no way that she would keep gossip about Jacob to herself.
Hallie shook her head and looked away as she leaned against the shop counter. “Nothing. Just the usual dumb stuff. He’s dealing with a lot right now.”
“Yes,” Faith drawled, “but this is something else. I can tell. What happened? He didn’t yell at you, did he?”
Technically there had been raised voices on more than one occasion and neither one of them were innocent. She’d been frustrated with him plenty and she’d made it known.
“It’s fine, Faith. I’m just trying to figure out the best way to help him.
” Hallie scrambled for something, anything to say that would get her friends off her back.
“I turned on the television and a competition was on. Before I could change the channel, he heard the commentators suggest that he wasn’t going to be back in the saddle any time soon. ”
All the women present exchanged empathetic glances. “That makes sense, though, right? He’s got a neck fracture, for heaven’s sake,” Wendy reminded them, not that Hallie needed it.
“Not necessarily,” Faith murmured. “If it’s not severe, then he could heal just fine and get back out there. He just has to be careful and not overdo it. Knowing Jacob, I bet he has one of the best physical therapists out there and they’re going to do everything they can for him.”
Hallie nodded. “Yeah, that’s what the doctor seemed to believe. But Jacob isn’t willing to get optimistic about any of it. I think he wants to prepare for the worst so he doesn’t have to be disappointed.”
Their little group went quiet, deep in their own thoughts for a good minute or so. Then Faith nudged her. “Okay, but that’s not what’s bothering you.”
Hallie’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“I might not know you as well as some, but I can tell whatever it is—it’s bigger. Bigger than the disappointment of hearing people in his field comment on his recovery time. What’s going on with you?”
“It has nothing to do with me,” Hallie insisted.
She chewed on her lower lip and glanced away.
There was no avoiding this conversation.
And maybe it wasn’t even that big of a deal.
Just because she didn’t know that Jacob had a sibling didn’t mean it was some great big secret.
What if she’d simply not been paying attention when he talked about his past?
She cleared her throat. “Did you guys know that Jacob has a brother?”
Based on the blank expressions on her friends’ faces, they hadn’t known. No, they weren’t shocked. Okay, there was some surprise in Faith’s eyes but that was it.
“I know, I know. I’m the one who should have known about it. He showed up today. I had no clue and he was just… there.”
Faith frowned. “Some people like to keep their personal lives out of the news. Maybe he just didn’t want people to know…”
“But I’m his friend, Faith. Maybe even his best friend. And he didn’t tell me. That’s weird, isn’t it?”
“What’s his name?” Faith seemed to be thinking something that she wasn’t prepared to share with all of them.
Hallie observed her for a moment then gave in. “Ryker.”
“Ryker Hines?” Faith mulled over the name.
“That does sound familiar.” She pulled out her phone and typed it in.
“I think I came across that name when I was looking up Brent’s father.
He was another up-and-coming player. I don’t know why I didn’t connect him with Jacob, though.
” Concentration shifted to a smile as she turned the phone toward Hallie. “This him?”
Hallie snatched the phone from her friend. “That’s him.”
She read over the article, ignoring Wendy and Serenity’s questions. Then she looked at each of them. “This says that Jacob and Ryker were going to be stars. They were on their way to breaking records at a young age. But then Ryker quit.”
“He quit?” Wendy frowned. “Why?”
Hallie shrugged. “Doesn’t say. There’s speculation that there was a falling out between the brothers. They weren’t seen together and after a couple years people stopped trying to figure it all out.”
“A falling out,” Faith murmured. “I guess you could always ask them.”
Hallie snorted. “I’d like to continue being alive, thank you. Jacob doesn’t let you pry into his life that way. And with his current mood of ‘leave me alone’ there’s no way he’ll entertain that kind of question.”
“Is Ryker going to stay?” Serenity asked. “Maybe you could ask him.”
“It’s none of our business,” Faith reminded them, her tone a little sharp. “Or have we forgotten what happened the last time someone meddled in another person’s business.” She gave Hallie a pointed look which caused a blush to beat beneath Hallie’s skin.
“She’s right. I’m not going to ask. Jacob deserves his privacy.”
“So other than his pessimistic attitude and his secret brother, how’s he doing?” Leave it to Faith to shift a conversation she’d been the one to drag out of Hallie in the first place.
Hallie shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m trying to get him to broaden his horizons. I asked him what he likes to do for fun, and you want to know what he said?”
“Playing the guitar?” Faith asked.
Hallie’s stomach bottomed out. How had she not remembered that?
Jacob used to play guitar all the time when he’d first moved to the area.
She didn’t know why he stopped but it probably had something to do with not having much time to play.
Shaking her head, she smirked, “Actually, he said he liked to work, practice, and hike. All of it physical and not something he could do while he’s healing.
I never thought to ask him about his guitar. ”
“Maybe you should.”
She nodded. “Maybe I should. Any ideas for things he could do besides that?”
Her friends all shook their heads. All of them but Serenity. “Maybe he’d like to learn how to cook. It can be therapeutic.”
“I mentioned cooking, but he didn’t seem thrilled about it. Or anything for that matter,” Hallie sighed.
“What about something you like to do? It’s easier to get someone interested when they’re able to do it with someone else,” Wendy offered. “What do you like to do for fun?”
Hallie immediately thought about her photography. But that wasn’t going to happen. Jacob wouldn’t be interested in that sort of thing and Hallie wasn’t even sure she was any good at it. Besides, it was her thing. She didn’t want to share it with anyone.
Not even Jacob.
“I don’t know. I like to read.”
“Well, then pick out a book and do a book club,” Serenity said. “Figure out a genre the two of you can enjoy together.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Hallie murmured quietly.
“Has there been any improvement?” Serenity asked. “Are things settling at all?”
A smile tugged at Hallie’s lips. “Honestly? Yeah. He’s moving around better. And up until he heard those commentators, he was in a good mood. He’s doing better but it’s slow going.”
“Makes sense,” Serenity nodded. “So he’s doing better as long as he’s not dwelling on his career.”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Well, you’re doing the best you can. And maybe his brother visiting will help.
” Faith picked up her phone and put it in her pocket.
“Then again, if things are as strained as it sounded, then it could send him spiraling. I hope that being forced to speak to his brother won’t add to what he’s dealing with but pushes him to find some clarity. ”
“We can only hope,” Hallie agreed. “I guess I should pick up some food just in case he’s sticking around. I don’t know where he lives, but based on the way he looked, it seems like he traveled far. Hopefully Jacob doesn’t send him away without letting him get a good night’s sleep.”
A knowing look passed between all of them. With Jacob’s current mindset, anything was possible including him sending his brother packing.
Hallie left the shop and headed for the grocery store. She purchased the ingredients to fix a decent dinner then she headed back to Jacob’s place.
The closer she got to the turn off, the worse her nerves became.
She needed to tread carefully. There was no telling what situation she’d walk into when she arrived.
If both brothers could keep a level head, then perhaps they could all have a decent evening.
If not, then she might be the one who had to get in the middle and remind them they were brothers.
She blew out a nervous breath as she walked up toward the house with groceries in hand. Ryker’s truck was still parked in the driveway. That had to be a good thing, right?
But then she reached the door and quietly opened it and that was when she realized hoping for the best had been in vain.
“Are you kidding me?” Jacob snarled. “You want to tell me that everything worked out the way you wanted it to? That’s a load of bull and you know it.”
“You don’t understand, and you never will until you—”
“Don’t you dare turn this around on me. We had a deal. You promised. We both did. And then you broke it.”
She could hear the venom in Jacob’s voice and she winced, wondering if she should just retreat back to her car.
“You think you know everything, but you don’t. You’re sabotaging yourself.”
“I’m sabotaging myself?” Jacob scoffed. “What about you?”
Hallie pushed the door open, not wanting this to go any further.
“We’re cut from the same cloth, Jake. One look was all it took, and I could tell that you—” Ryker cut himself off when he caught sight of Hallie.
Both of them were on their feet, hovering by the table. Neither one of them looked as though they were prepared to back down. When Ryker stopped speaking, Jacob turned his attention her way and she gave them a little wave.
“I thought it would be a good idea to bring back food. Maybe we could table this conversation and eat?” She could tell that Jacob wanted to argue. It was the stiff way he held himself and no, it had nothing to do with his injuries.
He opened his mouth, but she cut him off.
“Ryker, do you like tacos?”
Jacob’s expression hardened further. “He’s not staying.”
“Actually, I do. It’s one of my favorite meals.” He smiled warmly at Hallie. “Thank you for the invitation. I can tell why Jacob likes you so much.”
She froze, only halfway done removing the groceries from the bags. Her gaze cut to Jacob and she found him watching her with an expression she couldn’t read. No matter how hard she tried to dissect it, she couldn’t.
And that made her nervous.
Had he said something to his brother? Was Ryker teasing them both because he knew she’d put her foot in her mouth when she’d admitted to her feelings?
Because Jacob wasn’t interested and he was far more likely to admit that fact to his brother than to admit he might care for her as more than a friend.
Hallie tore her eyes from Jacob and focused on the task at hand. “Jacob’s a good friend. He’s been there for me, and I do the same.”
She refused to look up, knowing she’d likely see an exchange she wouldn’t like.
Instead, she turned away from them and placed the hamburger in a pan on the stove.
“If you’re good at cutting vegetables, there are knives in that butcher block.
” She directed the statement toward Ryker, but it was Jacob who shuffled to her side and grabbed one.
“I’ll get the tomatoes,” he murmured. “And the lettuce. Let him cry over the onions.”
She bit back a smile and goosebumps lifted on her arms when he brushed past her.
She risked a look at him and found a small amount of amusement in his expression.
It sent her heart into a tailspin because this was the first time she felt like they were on the same side.
Jacob needed someone in his corner right now and if that was who she was to him, then she was glad for it.
“So, Hallie, how did you and my brother meet?”
She glanced over her shoulder, finding Ryker at the island chopping onions.
Soon the smell of the food filled the air and her stomach growled.
She cut a look at Jacob, but he wasn’t paying attention to them or if he was, he hid it well.
“I met him at the rodeo. My cousin was competing, and he came to congratulate him.”
“Oh, did he place?”
Hallie laughed. “Heaven’s no. But he’ll talk about the day he met Jacob like it was the best one of his life.” She smiled at the memory. “Jacob is a local celebrity here.”
“He’s a celebrity everywhere,” Ryker mused with pride.
It was short, but Hallie didn’t miss the way Jacob glanced at his brother. Either he was surprised his brother felt that way about him, or he hadn’t thought his brother cared at all.
“Yeah, I know,” she said simply. “But it’s more than that.
He’s the most down-to-earth person I know.
And when you talk to him, you feel like you’re capable of accomplishing anything.
” This time when she peeked at Jacob, she found him staring at her with…
surprise? Wonder? Something about the way he looked at her made her stomach flip.
She bit back a smile and turned her back once again.
This was the closest she came to telling him how she felt about him since that night she’d confessed her feelings.
And this time, she didn’t regret it at all.