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CHAPTER ONE
MIGUEL
Welcome to Bluebonnet Creek, Texas.
Population: 11,209
“11,210 starting now, I guess,” I mutter to myself as I pass by the sign and enter the place that used to be my home, the uneasy feeling making the bile rise in my throat.
“Temporary.”
It’s just temporary.
But no matter how much I try to reassure myself of it, the panic builds inside the pit of my stomach. My hands grip the steering wheel tighter as I continue driving down the empty road. The bright oranges and reds had given away to the darkness some thirty minutes ago, the black sky matching my mood perfectly.
Never, not in a million years, have I imagined myself returning to Bluebonnet Creek.
The last time I was here–four fucking years ago–was the day I left for college. After an epic fight with my dad, I ran out of the house, the echo of our heated words still ringing in my head, along with the sharpbangas the truck door shut with finality before I drove away.
I swore I’d never look back.
And I haven’t.
I went to Michigan State, had an amazing college career, and got drafted into the NFL my junior year. Although people tried to tell me I should wait and finish college and get more experience, I decided to quit and join the pros.
I could always finish college, but I only had so many years I could play professionally, so I decided to use every single one. Yes, there was always a risk of riding the bench for a while, but as it turns out, there were a few teams that needed a new defensive end and badly. One of them was the Austin Lonestars, and they picked me as a third-round draft pick. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.
So I quit college and spent the last year playing for the Lonestars. I won’t lie; the shift was hard, the pace of a professional team brutal, but somehow, I’ve found my place in Austin. I kept my head down and worked my ass off. The team had a good season but lost in the second game of the playoffs. The loss sucked, but what sucked even more was the injury I received in the second quarter. I was trying to tackle one of their receivers when I was bulldozed by their tight end, which resulted in a dislocated shoulder and a broken clavicle. As far as injuries go, this wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened to me. What it was was annoying as hell, but I was determined to focus on physical therapy and getting better by the time summer camp rolled around to reclaim my spot.
Then the invitation came.
I knew it would happen. It was just a matter of time.
As if he can read my thoughts, my phone beeps with an incoming call. I glance at the screen before pressing the answer button on my steering wheel, the call connecting through the speakers.
“You here yet?” a deep voice with a familiar Texas drawl asks.
“Hello to you, too, man,” I say dryly.
“By the sound of your voice, I’d imagine so,” my best friend continues, not caring the least bit for my animosity. Then again, why would he? His life was playing out just as he planned it. Soon enough, Emmett would have everything that he’s ever wanted, just like I have everything that I have ever wanted.
Do you really?
Ignoring the annoying voice, I push it to the back of my mind just like I do any other shit I don’t want to deal with.
Instead of answering, I shift in my seat and grunt in agreement.
“I really hope you brought better manners for my wedding, Fernandez. You know you’ll have to make a toast as my best man, right? Kate will not appreciate your grumpy-ass grunts. Nor will my mother, for that matter.”
“Well, then you should have picked a different best man, Santiago.”
Emmett snorts. “As if that was ever an option.”
“No, I guess it wasn’t,” I agree, rubbing my hand over my jaw.
Emmett and my family have lived next door to each other since we were kids. Well, as next door as two families who own ranches can live. We’ve spent most of our childhood together. From playing in the fields to helping our families run the businesses and playing football side by side, all the way from pee wee football through high school when our lives took us in separate directions. We’ve stayed in touch; our college teams even played one another on a few occasions, but things were different now.
Wewere different now, and yet…
