CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
LEVI
We’re at The Daily Grind, just around the corner from the studio. I don’t really know what caused me to ask Scarlett to come with me, all I knew was that I just didn’t want our time together to be over yet.
The waitress approaches our booth and asks if we’re ready to order. I look over at Scarlett and she gives me a small nod.
She turns toward the waitress and places her order. “Just a BLT please.
“Make that two.” I add before taking our menus and handing them back to the waitress.
I take a sip of my water and set the glass down, keeping my eyes on Scarlett. “So tell me more about your brother.”
She raises an eyebrow at me. “What would you like to know?”
I shrug. “For starters, his name. What he does for a living. That sort of thing.”
“Okay, well,” she starts, leaning onto the table, her chin in her palm, “His name is Charlie. He is number seven for the Sydney Storm in the NRL.”
“What position does he play?”
“So, number seven is a halfback.” I stare at her blankly, waiting for her to continue. “So, basically, the halfback is involved in directing the team's play and he’s usually the first receiver. So he gets the first pass after they play the ball.”
I’m trying really hard to understand what she’s saying right now, but I just don’t understand it. Maybe we have to watch more games together. I wouldn’t complain about that.
I nod slowly. “And your parents?” I ask, taking another drink of my water.
An indecipherable expression crosses her face, almost laced with hurt but it disappears too quickly for me to pick up on.
She shrugs nonchalantly. “They’re okay. I’m not close with them like they are with Charlie.”
I narrow my eyes at her slightly, but I don’t want to push her too much. “Okay… Are they close with Charlie?”
Scarlett sighs, leaning back in the seat now. “Yep.” She pops the P, rolling her eyes.
I don’t interrupt, allowing her to continue.
“They just don’t really get me. You know? They didn’t support my career choice or my decision to move here. I’ve kind of stopped trying. They have always favoured Charlie, that’s just the way it’s always been.”
I furrow my brows, processing her words before I try to respond. I’m unsure how they wouldn’t agree with any aspect of her life. She’s killing it.
“Are you close with Charlie?”
“Oh, yeah. We’re super close. I love him a lot, and I miss him. But it’s just hard when I know my parents have always preferred him over me.”
I nod slowly. “Is he older? Or younger?”
“He’s younger. He’s twenty-three.”
“So, you’re the older one,” I say, nodding. “Did that come with more pressure or expectations?”
She tilts her head, thinking over her response. “I think so. But I also think that they just didn’t take the time to really understand me. They just took to my brother instead.”
There’s an underlying sadness in her gaze, and I feel helpless wanting nothing more than to take it away.
Before I have the chance to respond, there’s a faint yell coming from the front.
I glance toward the door to see Steele, Calloway and Moore making their way over to us. My head drops, an involuntary sigh leaving my parted lips.
“I’m so sorry.” I whisper to Scarlett just before the guys reach our table.
The guys greet us with a big smile. “Scarlett!” Moore grins, sliding into the booth beside her, throwing an arm over her shoulder. “I’ve missed you!”
He pulls her into his side, giving her an awkward hug. I narrow my eyes at their contact as Steele slides in beside me and Calloway slides in beside Moore.
The waitress comes to our table, placing our food down before shooting a questioning look toward my teammates.
“We’ll take the same.” Steele smiles politely, and the waitress walks off to put in the order.
I give the guys a tight-lipped smile. “What are you guys doing here?”
Moore shrugs. “We were in the area.”
I glance at Calloway, raising my eyebrows.
He throws his hands up in a surrender. “You know I can’t control him. Once Huddy has his mind set, there’s no changing it.”
I sigh, exasperated, flicking my gaze toward Scarlett. She looks amused as she meets my eyes, a small smile on her lips and I soften.
“So,” Steele starts, leaning on the table, “how is he?” He nods toward me, eager to know about my recovery.
Scarlett’s smile widens as she picks up her sandwich. “He’s doing really well, Ben. You should be so proud of him.”
My face begins to heat as Steele looks to me with a big grin on his face. Nudging me with his shoulder, he nods. “Yeah, we’re really proud.”
I look down at my food, trying to avoid the attention on me right now. I love them, but it makes me somewhat uncomfortable.
“Are you guys back to training yet?” Scarlett pivots, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that as the guys light up.
“We’ve just started back up. Though, we miss Cap.” Moore nods to me just as the waitress comes through with the food, placing it on the table.
Scarlett flicks her eyes to mind, a small smile gracing her lips. “Well, he’ll be back before you know it.”