Page 14 of Cruel Start

I cast a lingering glance down the sidewalk. Aspen was already a block away, the streetlights casting a soft glow on her blond head as the darkness tried to swallow her from sight. That wouldn’t happen—she shone brighter than any girl I’d ever met. But if my brother was there, I couldn’t leave because of another potential disaster. I would track Aspen down later.

With the next problem in mind, I sidestepped Shane to block him from seeing into the coffee shop. “How’d you know I was here?”

Shane held up his phone. “Tracked you. What’s going on? You left the fight with the chick from the cove. Cole saw you leaving and said you looked intense.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, needing to share my burden. “She’s pregnant.”

“Fuck.” Shane frowned, his eyes piercing into me and silently speaking in only the way my twin could.

I responded before he could vocalize his question. “That was my first thought too. She was a virgin.”

“Okay, yeah. It’s your kid.”

I knew what he was thinking. Everybody thought I was headed to the NFL. Thane had talked me up as their secret weapon. And my record as a quarterback was well-known.

“Are you positive this chick isn’t trying to trap you as a meal ticket, even if it’s your kid?”

“I’m not our father.” Anger raced along my spine, vibrating through me and urging me to strike out.

“No, you’re not.” Shane ran his hand over his face. “Just, fuck. A kid?”

“I know, man. It’s a lot to take in, but I’ve got to step up. I refuse to be him.”

“It’ll work out. If anyone can manage a kid, football, and the draft, it’s you.”

School. He hadn’t mentioned that huge concern. Adding fights could be done, but finding time for homework and studying was a recipe for disaster. Shane grabbed me and pulled me in for a one-armed hug then pounded me on the back.

“We got this.”

I knew I could count on him—and our cousins, when I told them.

“What the fuck!” Shane roared in my ear, and I jerked back a step.

Oh no—Tracey.I’d forgotten I was blocking the window to the coffee shop for a reason. He raced around me before I could grab him, bursting into the place. Half a step behind him, I caught his arm sling, but he whipped it over his head.

Tracey’s eyes went wide as he bore down on them.

“Shane, no!” I’d seen my brother angry many times before, and nothing good would come from the confrontation. I had to stop him.

Before I could, he had Dominick out of the chair, fisting his shirt. Shane’s elbow went back, then his fist flew into Dom’s face with a sickening thud. I lunged forward, grabbing Shane’s arm as he cocked it back to rain punches on Dom.

As I dragged him back, he yelled at Tracey. Furious, Shane was a live wire, and he turned on me, hands slamming into my chest, then he shoved hard. I flew back, hitting something solid, and I reached back to shove off it. The smooth surface gave way with a splintering sound, and my hand went through. I felt nothing at first, intent on pushing off and going after my out-of-control brother again. Then someone screamed, pointing to my arm.

Shane froze. His rage fizzled before my eyes. A moment ago, nothing would have stopped him aside from me dragging him out. The pain hit in the pause where my brother looked from me to whatever I’d broken.

I glanced down at the glass strewn everywhere. My hand had gone through the display case. I couldn’t even tell where I’d been cut because of all the blood. Black dots peppered the edges of my vision, and I swayed as I pulled my arm free.

People were shouting. Someone was crying. Then my brother wrapped a towel from the barista around my hand. I lifted my arm, cradling it against my chest, knowing I had to keep it high to slow the bleeding.

Shane ushered me out the door, ignoring the manager, who yelled at us about an ambulance, or maybe it was the police.

“I’m taking you to the hospital.” Shane helped me into his passenger seat.

My mind whirled with what had just happened.

“Fucking Tracey,” Shane cursed as he pulled onto the street and floored it.

I wanted to blame the bloodsucker ex for my sliced-up hand, but it was Shane who’d gone off the deep end.When he discovers my part in their breakup, will he think we’re even?

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