Page 106 of Silver Player

“What happened with Roxanne? The other night, you let her go and then went into the back with Kristy Moseley.” There’s a question he isn’t asking. My brother’s loyal to a fault, and he’s never appreciated my ways. My old ways.

“Nothing happened with Kristy.” I shake my head, getting tired of defending myself. So tired. I groan, scrubbing a hand down my face. “Everything is so fucked up.”

“Look, I’m the last to dispense advice about love.” My brows rise at my brother’s use of the word. “But if you want Roxie, you need to chase. Run. Do not stop to collect two hundred dollars. Go after her.”

I stare at my brother. “Who are you, and what have you done with Giant Harrington?”

He shakes his head, the corner of his lip curling upward. He nonchalantly shrugs, and I don’t really need an answer. I know what’s making my hard brother soft. His girl, Letty.

“I don’t see you running,” I poke the bear, although Giant has been traveling almost every other weekend to see his long-distance girlfriend.

“It’s complicated, but the second it’s not, I’ll be chasing.”

“Are you leaving the brewery?” I’d be shocked. This is our family legacy. This is his legacy. His name is on the bottle, for heaven’s sake.

“Not if I can help it. It’s complicated for now, but let’s finish talking about you. What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know.” I huff, placing both hands on the edge of the table. “Sadie and Roxie are like a package deal. I want Sadie. She’s my daughter, but Roxie”—I exhale—“I just want her.”

Over the past few days, I’ve had time to reflect on my actions, accepting I did what I did because I misinterpreted her expression after wall sex. I pushed her away because I thought she was going to walk away. I had to be first, but I’ve missed her every second afterward. The habit of speaking to her every day, seeing her in some way, has become too easy, so routine, and I don’t want to give it up. I wanted to add her in my bed nightly as part of that routine, but I’ve fucked it all up.

Giant chuckles. “Then what are you going to do about the mess you made?”

“Grovel. Beg. Apologize. The usual,” I state, although none of those things are the usual for me. I don’t chase. I walk away, and I’m finding it hard to figure out how and when to lay myself out to Roxanne, if she’ll even listen to me.

“Is she scared?” Giant asks.

“Nothing scares Roxie.” I snort.

Giant shakes his head. “Wanna bet? If you get Sadie, who does Roxie have left?”

My eyes narrow at my brother. “Meaning?”

“She doesn’t have any other family, right? Without Sadie, she’s—”

“She’s not losing Sadie.”

“Isn’t she?” His thick brows rise again. “If Sadie moves in with you, that leaves Roxie alone.” Giant reaches for another growler, popping the top and pouring another sample. He slides the glass to me, but I haven’t moved. My hands grip the edge of the table.

“I won’t let her be alone. She has Sadie and me.”

“Does she?” Giant tips his chin, noting I should drink. But nothing will taste good as acid fills my throat.

“Of course, she does.”

“How does she know that? You conveniently forgot to tell her about the interviews. You flirted with Kristy. You know how the blasted rumors run in this town. I’m afraid to even ask what else you’ve done.”

“Because it’s always my fault,” I snap.

Giant levels me with a glare. “Because in this case, it is. Have you reassured her of anything? Can she trust you?”

“Fuck you, Giant.”

“What’s going on here?” Our father’s voice fills the room, and I chew on my lip as I hang my head. Not this. Not now. Another question is coming. What am I doing in this sacred room? I stand still, crossing my arms and resting my hip against the table. My head remains lowered, a cross between getting caught and an admission of guilt.

“You know this is where the magic happens,” Giant states to our father cool and calm as if it’s no big deal I’m standing in this private room within the brewery. George Jr.’s eyes are pinned on me, and all I see is his determination to make me speak. I rejected this business, walked away to run my own, and he never forgave me, calling me a quitter as I’d done with college and Rachel.

“I do know,” my dad states, continuing to stare at me, emphasizing his awareness.