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“Grown ass men behaving like children. How long are y’all going to continue to behave like this?” Our father stands tall and proud, lecturing us like he used to when we were kids. His eyes land on me, and I hold his stare. “Jackson, get your shit together.”
“Me?” I ask, throwing my hands up in the air. “I didn’t start this.”
“I don’t care who started it. I’m ending it.” Our dad wipes his brow and shakes his head. The look of disapproval written all over his face. “Both of you, out. Now.”
Like two little kids, Jameson and I make our way out of the bathroom. Our mom and Rory stand in the hallway together with Martina, waiting for us. Neither one of us wants whatever lecture my mom is planning to dish out. So, without stopping to talk to anyone, Jameson makes his way back toward the ballroom while I head toward the closest exit.
Once outside, I breathe in the crisp night air, trying to clear my thoughts. Rory kissed Jameson. There is a part of me that needs to know every single intimate detail. But the other part of me doesn’t believe it. He was just trying to get a reaction out of me and he succeeded. But he could’ve gotten a reaction out of me another way. Why would he lie about something like that? And if it is the truth, why hasn’t she ever told me?
“Are you ok?”
Rory stands behind me as I continue to look out onto the river. The glow of the Austin skyline reflects off the water. Once again, my knuckles are white as I grip the rail in front of me and ask the dreaded question.
“You and Jameson never… I mean, you never kissed him. Did you?”
Rory is silent and I can hear my heart beating out of my chest as I wait for her to deny the allegations. Hearing her soft sigh warns me of the answer I will not like.
“I can’t believe he told you about that.”
I turn to face her and lean against the railing. Her emerald-green eyes look sad, but not worried. The breeze picks up, and I watch as she tucks a loose curl behind her ear.
“So it’s true?”
“Sort of. It was nothing, and I’m sure Jameson made it out to be a lot more than it was.” Rory takes a step closer to me, and I force myself to remain calm. My jealousy is eating a hole right in the center of my heart. “It was my sophomore year of college, spring break. The one you had that really nasty stomach bug. A few of us got together at the old mill, and Jameson showed up later on. Once everyone was more than a little tipsy, one guy suggested playing spin the bottle. It was nothing more than a five second peck on the lips, and I pulled away before he could go further.”
The vice around my heart eases a little when I hear how the kiss happened. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I take a step in her direction. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it was nothing,” she reiterates. “It was just a bunch of teenagers being young and dumb, playing a stupid game.” Rory’s hand reaches for my own, and I watch as her fingers lace with mine. “Your brother is not someone I’ve ever wanted to be friends with, let alone something more. But I’m sorry he could use me to get to you.”
I tug on her hand, and Rory closes the gap between us. My hands slide around her waist as I drop my forehead down to hers. “I don’t know why he always has to rub it in my face that he’s better than me.”
“Because you let him.” Her words sting, but I know she’s right. “Jameson has never been better than you. He’s just had the better luck. You’re a good person, Jackson, and your parents don’t care if you can buy them new cars or some mcmansion right on the lake.”
“The damn house is on the lake?” I groan.
“Yeah.” She smiles. “I mean, first you have to walk past the outdoor kitchen and the pool, but after that, the lake is right there. Your mom has already invited me to spend the weekends there when the weather is good.”
“Great.” I snort.
“What Jameson gives are just things, Jackson. Right here…” Rory trails off, placing her hand over my heart. “This is what really matters. And you have so much here to give.”
The two of us stand there in silence. Rory’s hand over my heart and my forehead pressed to hers. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Jameson has been the bane of my existence for almost my entire life. I’ve moved on and gotten over the fact that he was the one who got the free ride to college and the pro career I always dreamed of. I actually got over that years ago. Sure, it stings knowing he’s able to give my parents more than I can, but like Rory said, it’s only things. But hearing him talk about Rory, like she was some sort of conquest he got to first, that sent me spiraling back into a tailspin of uncontrollable jealousy.
“So how did it feel?” Rory asks. I open my eyes to find her looking at me. Bottom lip between her teeth and a genuine curiosity sparkling in her eye. “When you punched him? Did it feel good?”
“I’m not gonna lie.” I laugh. “It felt pretty damn good.”
“Do you think you broke his nose? Wonder how he’s going to spin it during the press conferences he undoubtedly has scheduled announcing him to the Texans? Nothing like being on television looking like you just got into a bar fight.”
Rory is right. Jameson has always been obsessed with his looks. Well, he won’t be so pretty looking this time when ESPN sits down with him.
“I didn’t even think about that. That definitely makes me feel better.” Rory smiles and smooths her hand over my tie. “How is it you always know the right thing to say to pull me out of my funk?”
“It’s a gift. Back home I’m known as the Jackson whisperer,” she teases.
“Is that so?”
“Uh-huh. It’s a highly developed skill. Took me years to perfect it.”
