Page 46 of Pucking Off-Sides With My Brother's Best Friend

“Why would you bring him up now?” Jax asks, his voice slightly rising. I’ve never heard his voice pitched that way, especially not when talking to our parents about me.

He’s making me feel loved, protected and understood, and even though I’ve always known that I could count on him as my big brother, it’s never been more apparent than right now. “We talked about this months ago. You can’t push things.”

Mom glances over at me. “We weren’t pushing. We just wanted to help, and we thought if she talked to us...” She keeps talking, her lips moving in rapid pace as she looks between Jax and me, but all I hear is the soft drone of unintelligible words.

I don’t care the reason. I don’t want to hear it, and I know with Jax there standing between us, I don’t have to. He knows my feelings when it comes to the end of my engagement, and that’s enough. I know I can count on him to handle what I can’t.

An arm wraps around my shoulder, and I feel them relax when I scent Aiden’s familiar aroma. His arm is warm against my back, and I take comfort in the quiet strength I can feel.

“Aiden, go ahead and take Aurora home,” Jax says, drawing my attention. He doesn’t turn to look at us as he speaks. I can tell by looking at his back that all his muscles are locked, and I feel another bolt of guilt at the realization that I’ve caused this.

If I spilled everything, I don’t doubt my parents would rally behind me, but at what cost?

“I need to have a conversation with our parents,” Jax finishes quietly. I can see my mom’s eyes widen, and even our dad appears shocked by his words.

Aiden doesn’t hesitate to guide me away. I go with him, not wanting to pull away. His warmth is a comfort in the face of what feels like betrayal. I need to get out of here and I need to get out now.

As Aiden guides me away, I catch one last glimpse of Jax squaring off against our parents. His stance is protective and fierce.

At this moment, I realize two things, one, that Jax knows more than I ever told him and two, that nothing will ever be the same in our family after tonight. The question is, am I ready for what comes next?

Chapter twenty-one

Aiden

Iwatch Aurora shuffleback to her room, shoulders slumped like she’s carrying the weight of the world. It’s been days since her parents left, but the funk lingers like a bad smell. I get it - dealing with parents’ expectations is a special kind of hell. But at least her folks give a damn. That’s more than I can say for my old man.

If I’m being honest,I don’t know what to say to her or how to bridge the gap.

I was meant for action, not kumbayaing sitting around holding hands—talking about my feelings. And if I’m being realistic, I’ve never even seen their family fight. Sure, they’ve had disagreements, but nothing like what I’m used to with my old man.

I gotta admit though, it’s pretty fucking intense. Jax is usually all jokes and easy smiles, but this…this is like watching a different person emerge. It’s a bit unsettling, seeing him ready to go toe to toe with his own parents, for Aurora’s sake.

A side of Jax I’ve only seen glimpses of before, usually when some asshole at a bar gets too handsy with Aurora or when her ex used to pull his shit. But this? The way he stood up to his folks, voice low and dangerous, eyes blazing.

That’s next level shit.

Not that I don’t get it. Family’s complicated. But watching Jax go full protective mode over Aurora, it’s... well, it’s something. Can’t decide if it’s admirable or fucking insane. Maybe both.

Either way, it’s clear Jax isn’t messing around when it comes to his sister. And that... I don’t know. Makes me wonder how far he’d go if push came to shove.

Jax filled me in on what went down after I took Aurora home. And apparently, he tore into them for bringing up her ex and saying they actually felt bad for the fucking asshole.

That’s some ride-or-die shit right there.

I join Jax in watching the Michigan vs Boston game

“You know,” I start, taking a seat, and leaning back on the couch,

“I don’t feel bad for that fucker Turner at all.” Jax shoots an eyebrow.

“Yeah? You never said anything.”

I snort. “ Wasn’t my place. But to be honest, I was happy when they split. It confirmed I wasn’t wrong about at least one thing in my life, even if it did come at her expense.”

Shitty way to feel, but that guy’s a douch.

“How’s she doing?”.

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