Page 18 of The Way We Collide

Jack’s first wife was a two-bit country singer from Fort Worth who caught his eye somehow. I only met her once, but I could tell right away what she wanted.

What I couldn’t figure out was why he was with her. Jack never dated girls like that in school. Then she turned up pregnant. Then she ditched him for a singing career in Branson.

“It’s not because of Danielle.” His voice was low, but I caught the hint of a growl.

“She ruined Texas for you, and you think being here will make it all go away.”

Don’t get me wrong, I love our hometown on the coast. When Dad decided he couldn’t play anymore, he and Mom moved to Newhope and opened our family’s restaurant. They raised us in a tight-knit community that rallied around us when we were orphaned.

Still, as sweet as it might be, nobody’s getting famous in Newhope, Alabama.

“Sometimes I forget how young you are.” He said in that paternal tone that ticked me off even more.

“Don’t listen to him.” Dylan pushed past me, reaching for the baby, her amber eyes shining.

“Come here, Kimmie! Come see your favorite aunt.”

“Her only aunt,” I groused.

Dylan is eighteen months younger than me, and she’d love nothing more than for all of us to give up football and move home.

“I’m so happy you’re back.” Our sister’s voice was soft andhigh as she talked to the toddler, shaking her head and rubbing their noses. “You’re going to love it here. We’ll take baby swim classes at the Y, and I’ll get you in at the preschool?—”

I couldn’t take any more, and Iwasn’tfinished with our conversation. “You want me to believe that being a high school football coach is better than being the best quarterback in the league? Better than winning the Big Game. Better than getting your championship ring?”

“Being with my daughter, being here with my family, and yeah, coaching the next generation of star players is better than the grind.” Jack’s tone was firm. “Maybe Danielle did spoil Texas for me, but my goal was always to save enough money to be able to walk away when I was ready. I’m ready.”

“I’m so glad you are.” Dylan took his hand. “I can’t wait for all of you to retire.”

“Don’t hold your breath waiting on me,” I grumble. “I’ll never throw away my career for a woman.”

“Never say never unless you’re hungry,” my brother chuckled. “You’ll end up eating those words.”

“Not me. I know what I want, and it’s not quitting.”

“I’m not quitting, little brother.” He put a strong hand on the top of my shoulder, and gave it a squeeze. “I’m doing what I want to do, and one day, you might find something you love more than football, too.”

“Doubtful.”

A light touch on my shoulder rouses me, and I realize my memories turned into a doze. The smiling hostess lets me know we’ve made it to the private airport south of Newhope.

It’s dark as I descend the stairs to a waiting black SUV, and by the time I arrive at the hotel, it’s after midnight.

I always book a room when I visit home. Dylan and her new husband Logan live in our old family home up the hill from the restaurant, and I like to have my own space in case I meet someone or just want to lie around all day in my boxer briefs and watch football.

Besides, Dylan and Logan are newlyweds. They don’t need me lurking around the house, interrupting their marital bliss. They should be able to have sex on the kitchen floor if they want.

I send a brief text to the brother’s group chat that I’m here, then I crash for the night.

Eight hours later, I open my eyes to a string of texts telling me to come to breakfast at Cooters & Shooters. The restaurant doesn’t open to the public until eleven, but when the family is all home, we have breakfast together.

My little sister’s wish has almost come true. She likes to say I’m the lone holdout.

Garrett was the third brother to retire after reuniting with his high school sweetheart at Dylan’s wedding and getting her pregnant.

I still can’t believe he was so careless.

He keeps saying it’s Liv, and I get it. Garrett and Liv were inseparable in high school. None of us could believe it when they broke up in college, and we never got the whole story on why. Garrett only said he blew it.

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