These assholes are lucky we’re in a metal tube ten thousand feet in the air, or they’d be catching flies in their open mouths.
“Dude, that’s like, a huge fucking deal,” Griffin says. The goofball persona he wears like armor falls away, and I’m left squirming uncomfortably in my seat under his scrutiny.
Ryder may not know as much about my past as the other three, since he hasn’t been on the team as long, but Maddox, Griffin, and Bash? They’re well-versed in my relationship with my dad and the damage he and my mom have done. They know exactly why I avoid relationships, and why kids have neverever been on the table for me. That’s a hard fucking line I am absolutely not willing to cross.
So the fact that I went out of my way to hang out with a teenage boy, in part because it doesn’t sound like he’s had a male role model in his life since his dad died, is news. Of course, I’m going to downplay it as much as possible because I haven’t even figured out what possessed me to offer to go to a game. Not that I regret it. Because I don’t. And I’m already planning to go to as many as I can when we don’t have games that conflict with them.
Bash studies my expression for a beat before he says, “And Blair was okay with all of this? The two of you haven’t exactly gotten along. Now you’re taking her and her brother to dinner and going to his football games?”
“I know it sounds crazy. It probably is. I just… She has custody of her brother. Has since their parents died five years ago. They don’t have anyone else, and I don’t know why I hate that idea so much, but I really fucking hate it. And it was just dinner and a football game. It’s not like I proposed to her.”
Maddox lets out a low whistle. “That you even made that joke is telling, man. And of course, you hate the idea of them being alone. Because you know what that feels like, and despite your playboy defense mechanisms, you have a good heart.”
“Jesus. Let’s not turn this into an episode of Dr. Phil, okay?” I joke.
“I can’t stand that guy,” Griffin says.
Sebastian chuckles, shaking his head. “Madds is right. You hide it well, but there is a living, beating heart buried deep in there.” He points to my chest, and for some reason, it makes mine ache.
“How old is Blair?” Maddox asks.
“Shit, I know Reed mentioned it, but I forgot. Mid-twenties?”
“Twenty-five,” Ryder pipes up. He shrugs when we all turn to look at him. “The girls were talking about it one day.”
“So, she’s been raising her brother since she was twenty? That’s intense,” Griffin mutters.
“Tell me about it. And from some things Reed told me, it sounds like she did it without much help. Most of her friends ended up ditching her after she had to leave school to do classes virtually and care for an eight-year-old.”
“No wonder Isla’s been talking to the other ladies about plans they could make that are kid friendly. They must know about her brother but didn’t say anything to me about it.”
Some of the tension bleeds from my muscles as my guys take all of this in stride. I don’t know why I thought they wouldn’t. They’re genuinely good dudes. Of course, they’re totally going to give me crap for things with Blair, but I’d expect nothing less.
“You okay?” Sebastian watches me as I deflate.
“Yes and no? I feel like a complete jackass for how I treated her when she showed up at the arena. It’s just… It was too crazy to be a coincidence. I thought…”
“You thought she was doing the same thing all of your stepmoms have done to your dad. Fabricated a way to meet up, then using it to their advantage.” Bash’s smile is thin and sympathetic. He probably knows more stories than any of them because he’s so easy to talk to.
“I did think that. And I feel terrible now.”
Maddox nods. “So, how are you going to make it up to her?”
“What?”
“Make it up to her, Byrne. You wouldn’t be this torn up about it if some part of you didn’t care and want to put things right. You like her. Respect her. And we all know you’re attracted to her. So how are you going to make it up to her?” Maddox crosses his arms over his chest and leans back in his chair, waiting for me to answer.
“I’m not trying to date her,” I say defensively. “You know I don’t date. I’m not meant for a relationship, and even if I didn’thave mommy issues, no woman in her right mind is ever going to want to put up with my schedule and the craziness of my life.”
Maddox shakes his head. “I’m going to ignore all of that dumbassery for a minute because it’s painful how you see yourself, but I wasn’t saying you’re going to make it up to her because you want todateher. To be clear, I’m pretty sure youdowant to date her, but that’s not what I’m talking about right now.”
“I don’t want to date her.” Sure, I want to hang out with her, kiss her, fuck her senseless. But I don’t want to date her. That’s ridiculous.
“Whatever, man. I’m talking about being a good person. And maybe being her friend. Because if she’s been as alone as you said, she probably needs as many friends as she can get.”
“Right,” Ryder says. “And we can help. She seems cool, and Lexi loves her, so we’ll help you make it up to her, and then we’ll make them both one of ours.”
One of ours. I like the sound of that way more than I should. And not only regarding Blair, but Reed too. If anyone could make the two of them feel welcome and make sure they know they’re not alone, it’s the guys sitting right here. I know, because they did the same for me.
