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“What? Tom!” I push him.
“Chess just hired Dane to LPR.”
Dane Beckett and Jackson played together in college. He took over Jackson’s role in college when he turned pro and was expected to do the same. But Dane’s career was cut short because of an injury. He’s since become a scout for upcoming players. He’s remarkable atfinding talent and when he showed up in Christmas a few months back, Dane found love and moved here permanently.
Hearing that Francesca hired him makes me nervous. It means there’s more change coming.
“No fucking way.”
“It makes sense now,” Tom says. “Dane kept saying that Francesca is looking to expand but still stay local. They both agreed there was a ton of talent not being recognized because smaller schools don’t get the national interest. I just figured adding Dane would double up on who they could find and get to college. But maybe it’s because she’s thinking of leaving.”
We all fall silent. My heart races, the possibility of losing my sister weighing me down. We just got everyone back home. Tom finally retired from the Marine Corps and took his position back on the Christmas PD. He was the missing piece for me and having him here has definitely helped ease me into a new way of life.
But now knowing I could lose my sister, my nephew and Jackson? I just can’t do it.
“I gotta go,” I say abruptly. “Adley is waiting for me. I’ll see you at work tomorrow, Adam.”
I jump up from my seat, hearing them still talking, but I don’t stop, even when Tom calls my name. I make a pit stop at his fridge to grab two beers and head out the front door and across the street to my house, and I’ve already opened one and drank half before I realize I’m standing in my own kitchen.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
BILLY
It’shot as fuck out here and I’m sweating balls at nine in the morning. Or, more accurately, I’m sweating out the alcohol from last night.
After hearing about Jackson’s possible move, I went home looking for Adley, but she had left a note that she was staying at her house because she was under a writing deadline.
Which meant I had no choice but to drink the thoughts away. I couldn’t bury myself inside her, so I buried myself in the bottle.
I’ve learned how to hide it, and maybe that’s the biggest change I learned from rehab. I kicked the drug habit, I don't even consider it anymore, but the alcohol—it’s a way of life around here and I can’t escape it.
When I first came out of rehab, life was exceedingly strange. I felt like I was walking on eggshells and everyone else around me was, too. There were glances and whispers, awkward silences at dinners when there never were before. My family is loud and obnoxious, and there’salways something to be said, and it was like my going away and coming home ruined that.
I don’t remember what the turning point was, but I finally blew up. I told them that if shit didn’t go back to normal, I was leaving because I wouldn’t be the one that ruined us any further.
Yeah, drinking again made things normal, and if that isn’t the definition of a problem, I don’t know what is, but somehow, I convinced them I could handle it. Or maybe they just believe Adley is my new babysitter, which she is, in a way. With her by my side, I feel I can do anything.
Adam walks over and hands me a bottle of water, eying the sweat running off my forehead. “This flooring looks good. You’re doing a great job.”
I guzzle half the bottle and then respond, “Thanks. Glad we got it in time. Everything’s still on schedule.”
“I told you buying that flooring shop would work out.”
“It has,” I admit. “I don’t know why you won’t let me rename it, though.”
“You are not calling one of my companies ‘Morning Wood Glory’, Bill.”
I laugh out loud at his dry tone. “Come on, Adam, get a sense of humor!”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “How are you feeling about the bar?” He tosses his bottle to the corner and bends to slide the pallets to the right. “Help me push these over.” I grab the other side, and he adds, “You can’t keep pulling double duty. I don’t want to lose you.”
“I haven’t decided yet. I’m not sure it’s the place for me, though I want to help Al.” We pick up the next pallet and slide it down as well. “For now, I’ll do both. I want the money, so Adley can write without worrying. Maybe if I show I’m capable of managing it all, and making some decent money, she’ll finally say yes.”
“Come on Bill. Her not marrying you has nothing to do with money. She’s not looking to be taken care of. She does that on her own.”
“But I’m the man.”
“Yes, and she’s been burned by men. And before you argue, I know it’s been years since she went through any of that, but it’s not something someone can just come out of. Chelsea still has flashbacks here and there, little things set her off and take her back down memory lane. Past events never have a simple cure. You should know that.”
