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His thick brows furrow. “It’s a lot to choke down. This team isn’t nearly as good as the one I played on. We’ve won championships. And yet, I’m treated like someone who walked on without any experience. I’ve been playing since I was six years old.”
I can’t imagine how difficult that would be. It reframes Austin’s entire experience in Hawthorne. He has every right to be angry. My heart constricts, going out to him.
He’s been through so much in such a short period of time.
“You probably wish you’d never heard of the town of Hawthorne.”
How could he not?
When he glances at me again, our gazes lock and hold. I feel the connection straight down to my toes. It’s only when he rips it away to stare out the windshield that I become aware of the air trapped in my lungs.
“For the most part.”
I don’t realize that my hand has settled over his until the warmth of his fingers radiates against mine. Eyes widening, I still, wondering if I should pull away.
His gaze flicks to where we’re now connected before returning to the road.
“There’s only one good thing that’s happened since we’ve been here. Everything else is shit.”
A prickle dances across my skin, wondering what it is. I want to ask.
But I don’t.
Can’t.
“I’m sorry about your father,” I murmur.
His shoulders are so broad and strong, only now do I realize that he carries the weight of the world on them. The way they slump forward shatters my heart into tiny, fragmented pieces.
It’s so tempting to pull him close and stroke my fingers through his short, dark strands. I want to tell him that everything will be all right, even though I have no idea if that’s the case. More than anything, I want to bring the smile back to his lips.
“I know what it’s like to lose a parent. My dad died when I was seven.”
His lips tighten into a thin line. “I can’t imagine life ever returning to normal.”
“It won’t. But you’ll find a way to make peace with it and move on. It’ll just take a while.”
He slows the SUV to twenty-five as we reach the edge of town and travel down Main Street. I’ve lost track of how many times Jasper has accelerated, reaching speeds of seventy and blowing through the three stoplights that dot the road. Even if the police caught him red handed, they’d turn a blind eye.
What’s the point of ticketing or arresting Jasper when Benedict Morgan not only owns one of the largest manufacturing plants in town but is the mayor of Hawthorne?
“You can always talk to me,” I offer.
His hand slips from beneath mine before resettling over it. “I appreciate that.” His voice softens. “It took weeks before Mom was finally able to get a grip and get out of bed. And now that Summer is back home where she belongs, it’s better. Kind of like we’re a family again.”
My brow furrows as the odd comment replays in my head. “I don’t understand. Where was Summer if she wasn’t living at home?”
I can almost see the invisible shield falling into place. When he remains silent, I wonder if he’ll bother to answer.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned anything. It’s a long story. All I can say is that no matter how much I wish otherwise, my life is now in Hawthorne. We’re not leaving. Not with Summer and Kingsley together.”
“They could break up.” Sure, they seem like they’re in love, but feelings change.
He shakes his head. “Trust me, that’s not going to happen.”
I swivel in my seat until my body is angled toward his. Even though questions circle in my head, I get the feeling he won’t reveal the answers. And since I’m someone who values their own privacy, I reluctantly drop the topic.
“Maybe now, everything will change. People will warm up.”
