Page 109 of Bourbon Bliss
“That’s not the point,” she said. “Look, the fact that Andrea screwed you over is horrible. But that’s not a reason to push everyone else away. And don’t even tell me that’s not what you’re doing.”
“It’s not what I’m doing.”
“Yes, it is. You’re going through the biggest crisis of your life on the heels of your football career ending prematurely. And you come back here, where you have no support? Why would you do that?”
“Because it’smyproblem,” I said. “This isn’t June’s fight, or my family’s fight. It’s not Bootleg’s fight. It’s mine.”
“GT, don’t even get me started on our family. We love you. You don’t need to shut us out. And as for Bootleg, I’ve seen that town come together to protect their own. From everything you’ve told me, they embraced you. Those friends you made would have your back right now if you let them. And if June is a woman who deserves you, she would too.”
“Her deserving me is not the issue,” I said. “It’s the other way around.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t assume that because you made a mistake that you’re not good enough. Everyone makes mistakes, GT.”
I shook my head. “Not everyone makes mistakes that could land them in prison.”
“Well, you’re not in prison now. If June is the one, she’ll stand by your side through this.”
I knew she would. That wasn’t even a question. I just didn’t want her to have to. “I know.”
“So let her.”
“You don’t understand,” I said. “June’s the smartest woman I’ve ever met. She even had suspicions about Andrea, and I ignored her. I don’t know why I thought I could keep up with her. I’m just a dumb guy who used to be able to catch a ball.”
Shelby’s eyes looked stormy. “Do not talk about yourself that way, GT. You’re not dumb, and you never were.”
Ifeltdumb. How much intelligence did a guy need to play a game? And would a smart man have let himself get in trouble with the IRS like this? I doubted it.
Shelby’s expression softened. “I’m sorry, GT, I didn’t come over here to get bossy with you. But I’m looking from the outside in. Just a couple of weeks ago, you were calling me all excited because things were getting serious with June. You’d put your house on the market and were moving to be close to her. Your voice… It was amazing. I don’t remember the last time you sounded so happy.”
“I was.”
“So lean into that,” she said. “If she’s as good for you as you seemed to believe before this happened, you need her by your side right now.”
I rubbed my finger between Mellow’s ears again. Damn it, she was right. Everything seemed exponentially worse since I’d left Bootleg Springs. Since I’d told June I didn’t need another accountant. Guilt washed over me. She’d been trying to help and I’d thrown it back in her face. Again. That had been a shitty thing to do.
“Maybe I do need her. But I didn’t exactly part with her on good terms before I left.”
“Are you still trying to convince yourself you aren’t pushing people away?” she asked, her tone wry. “Call her. Let her in.”
“All right.” I stared at the table. “I’ll call her after my appointment with Marc.”
“Fair enough. And call me, too. I want to know how it goes.”
“I’ll keep you updated, don’t worry.”
“I’m your sister, of course I’m going to worry,” she said. “But GT, I really believe this is going to be okay.”
“Thanks, Shelby.”
“Plus, I liked the idea of you moving out to Bootleg Springs. It’ll give me a more permanent place to stay when I come back. I like that crazy little town.”
“Me too.”
35
June
The sound from the TV drifted past me, largely unnoticed. Even ESPN couldn’t hold my attention. The usual comfort I got from sitting on my parents’ couch, watching sports with my dad, was noticeably missing. Instead of focusing on the latest news in the sports world, my mind drifted, replaying what had happened with George.
