Page 129 of Tempting the Player
“That’s not true.”
“It is. All you used to talk about was leaving. Now here you are. That’s not what I wanted, I promise you.” His shoulders relax. “I’m so fucking envious of the opportunities you’ve had, but proud as hell too. So don’t stay because you think it’s the right thing to do. One of us should get a chance to chase crazy dreams. If not, then what the hell was it all for?”
He gets back to work without another word, but his silence feels more comfortable after hearing him speak his piece.
“You’re wrong. So was I. I thought I needed to leave to be the person I wanted to be, but that was bullshit. I was running away, hoping that I could forget about Mom dying and Dad abandoning us. Guess what? It doesn’t work that way. This is my home. You, Arch, Brogan, Flynn...you’re my family. Iwantto be here,” I say as I fall in beside him. “And it’s not too late for you. If there are things you still want, you should do them.”
He’s quiet a beat before shaking his head. “Nah. Nah. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
* * *
Later that night, Jane comes over. She’s straddling me naked with a beautiful post-orgasm glow.
She runs her fingers along my stomach and chest. “What do you want to do tonight?”
“I’m doing it right now.” I grip either side of her hips and let my hands glide up her smooth skin to the curve of her waist.
“So, your plan for all of tonight is sex? It’s barely six o’clock.” Her sweet laughter fills the room.
Seems like a hell of a good plan to me.
“What do you want to do?” I ask her.
“Well, your plan does sound fun, but first can I take you somewhere? I have a little surprise.”
“Might be hard to top your last surprise.” Watching Jane up there on stage singing my mom’s favorite song is a memory I won’t soon forget.
“I accept that challenge.”
We get dressed and into my truck.
I start the engine and then realize I have no clue where we’re going. “Where to?”
“Let’s go to The Hideout.”
That wasn’t in my top five favorite ideas for the night, but as long as she’s coming home with me later, we can chill wherever she wants.
When we get close, I slow down to turn. Jane sits forward in the passenger seat. “Keep going.”
“I thought—” I start as I roll past the entrance to the popular restaurant.
“Turn here.” She points to the familiar gravel road that leads to my mom’s old bar.
I do as she says, confused but intrigued. It’s as dark and abandoned as the last time we were here. Jane gets out without waiting for me.
I take my time. Coming here always hits me with a nostalgic feeling that has to be acknowledged with a moment of reflection. Someday another business will take over the building, or maybe they’ll bulldoze it completely. I hope not. There’s no place where I feel closer to my mom than standing in this lot.
Jane walks all the way to the boarded-up front door and then turns to face me.
“What are you up to, sweetheart?” I ask as I catch up to her.
“Okay, so you know how you were a big shot football player and then decided to stay here but you haven’t found a job yet?”
I chuckle. “I guess that does pretty much sum up the current state of my life. Thanks for the reminder I’m a bum.”
“You’d be a very sexy bum,” she says with sass. “But you’re not a bum. You’re amazing. Staying here to be a part of your brothers’ lives is the most incredible thing. I’m so proud of you.”
Her words are like a balm to a wound I’m not sure will ever completely heal. “Thank you.”
