Page 19 of The Way Home
As he coated gauze with antibacterial cream and pressed it against my arm, he said, “I'm trying really hard not to get too ahead of myself. But, fuck, I really want this. And I swear, I'vebeen putting in a lot of work for it. I want toearnit and not just get it because of my history with the team, you know?”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “I get it. You're going to do great, Jem. You know, it's okay to have your reputation lead the way. There's nothing wrong with that when it's well-earned.”
He wrapped an ace bandage around my arm and secured it before sitting back on his heels and looking up at me. “Isuppose, but I feel like I won't be taken seriously.”
“Then prove them wrong. Let your name open the door and then show them why you deserve to be there, because you do.” Jeremy was always so confident and sure of himself. In this moment of vulnerability, I wanted to hold him, to comfort him, but with everything this morning so fresh in my mind, I didn't trust myself to stop if I started, but my words were sincere. I fully believed Jeremy could do whatever he put his mind to.
The way he looked up at me with light and hope shining behind his eyes nearly made me break my resolve and fall to the floor to plant myself in front of him. “You really think so?”
“Yes, really.”
“Thank you for saying that, Ri.” Jeremy gave me another smile and began repacking the first aid supplies.
“Of course. And thank you for this.” I held up my wrapped arm.
Jeremy chuckled as he stood. “Yeah, sorry, it looks worse than it is, but it was the only way to cover it fully.”
“It's fine.” It definitely looked worse. Mom would flip out with worry if she saw me right now, I thought with amusement.Mom! “Hey!”
Jeremy stopped and flicked his gaze to mine. “Yeah?”
“You said you've been working toward this for a while. How long exactly?”
He put his hand on the top of his trimmed hair that looked soft enough I wanted to touch it. “Shit, maybe about a year now.Dad had been in town and saw some of his old teammates. I guess they got to talking and said there had been rumors that Coach Lewis was going to retire. When he mentioned it to me, it was with a strong suggestion that I consider it. Going into education was never on my radar before. But football? Hell, Iknowfootball.”
A year? He'd been thinking about this for a year? Fuck, I wished I would have known, but I'd made a big effort tonotknow about him. I was a selfish bastard. “So when did it become official?”
“He made the announcement about a month ago. The job posting opened up pretty much right after, and I applied before I could overthink it. Which, I'm doing plenty of now, ha, but at least I got the process started.”
I stood up as the realization set in. “So… you were already planning to come out here at this exact time?”
Jeremy's brow arched high. “Yeah, why?”
“Unbelievable.” I shook my head as I pulled out my phone.
Jeremy set the kit down and came over, curiosity getting the best of him. “What? What's going on?”
I didn't answer, instead I focused on my phone as I sent a text.
Me: Mom! Did you know that Jeremy was going to be at the cabin?
Mom: Oh? He is? What a funny coincidence.
Me: Coincidence? Really?!
My phone rang in response. I stepped away from Jeremy to answer it, unable to hide the exasperation in my voice. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. How's the cabin?”
With a shake of my head. “Did you know?”
“I… did.”
“Seriously? And you didn't think to tell me?”
Her tone turned serious. “Would you have gone if I did?”
I sighed. No, probably not. Now that I was here, and things had gotten… complicated, I was glad to have Jeremy home with me, but I hadn't made it easy. My silence must have been answer enough.
