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So Noah explained their history—from Asheville, the kiss, Lucas, and how they currently came to be together.
“Wait…so she’s the reason your one boss has been a dick to you for three years and you got involved with her anyway? Dude, she seems like a great person, but…you’re finally getting that promotion. Do you think dating her is a smart move?”
With a loud huff, Noah sat down on the sofa with his head thrown back and eyes closed. “I honestly don’t know anything anymore. Lily Montgomery is…she’s just irresistible to me. Every time I see her, I just…I feel lighter and happier and so completely different from how I usually am.”
“That’s because she’s hot,” Jax said with a snort of derision. “Don’t think with the little head, Noah. Don’t let this relationship derail everything you’ve been working toward.”
“That’s kind of been my thought since the beginning, but…I really care about her. A lot. Like more than I’ve ever cared about a woman before.” Raking a hand through his hair, he added, “Hell, I could seriously see myself falling in love with her.”
“Okay, let’s just…back up for a second. Let me play devil’s advocate here. Let’s say the two of you keep going. Her father comes home and—let’s be honest—he isnotgoing to be thrilled about this. It doesn’t matter what you or Lily or her grandfather says, he’s going to be giving you shit times ten.”
“That’s a possibility, sure, but…”
“Then let’s say Lily has this surgery and gets the opportunity to dance somewhere that’s not here in Charlotte. You’ve just got this promotion that ties you directly to this spot. She could be gone for a year or more. Then what?”
“That’s a year away,” he reasoned. “And no one knows what can happen a year from now.”
“No, but you can see all the possible directions that aren’t lining up.” He let out a long breath. “Look, I’m not trying to crap all over your life, but there are a lot of complications here and none of them work out well for you. It’s not just your job that’s potentially at risk or your sanity at your job; it’s your heart that’s going to get broken if she decides this isn’t where she wants to be.”
“But…”
“And lastly,” Jax went on. “If you decided to stick this out and maybe follow her to wherever the next dance gig is, where does that leave you?”
“I never said I’d follow…”
“I know you, Noah,” Jax said solemnly. “You’re a fixer and a caretaker. You took on the role of parent when things were shitty at home when we were growing up. You look out for all of us even now when we’re all doing well.” He paused. “Just promise me you’ll think about this, okay? I’m seeing some red flags here and it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t look out for you too.”
Noah knew he should thank him, but right now there didn’t seem a lot to be thankful for. Basically, Jax was saying his relationship with Lily was doomed.
And maybe it was.
Only…it didn’t feel that way. From the moment he kissed her in that diner, there was something there and it was growing stronger every day. He wanted her to get the surgery so she could go back to dancing, and he wasn’t intimidated by that. True, he had no clue what that life would look like, but he also wasn’t afraid to find out. After all, not every relationship worked out. That didn’t mean you shouldn’t ever get involved. They had one week left before Lucas and everyone came home, and Noah planned on enjoying every moment with Lily that he could.
Just in case.
“Okay, enough of this depressing conversation,” he said, turning to look at his brother. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on with you because unfortunately, I have to be up early tomorrow so I can leave work early.”
Jax laughed softly. “I still don’t know how you do it. How can you stand sitting in an office all day?”
Shrugging, Noah laughed with him. “And I don’t know how you can spend your life either working out in the gym or having a bunch of two-hundred-pound guys chasing you before slamming you to the ground. I mean…that doesn’t sound even a little fun.”
Jax nodded but grew quiet. “Yeah…it’s starting to get old. I just don’t have the same enthusiasm as I once did. And you’re right, spending all my free time at the gym sucks. But I know I need to keep going and play for as long as I can, otherwise…what else would I do?”
“There are plenty of things you can do!”
“Dude, I’ve been playing football since Dad taught me how to throw a ball. It’s literally all I know. I’m not proud of it, but…I cheated and skirted my way through high school and that year of college I attended. I’m not smart enough to do anything else.”
“I don’t believe that. I think you’ve been programmed to believe that nonsense. If you stopped playing football, there isn’t a doubt in my mind that you could do anything you wanted—even if it’s not sports related.”
His brother’s only response was a snort as he shook his head.
“If you wanted to stay in a semi-comfort zone, you could coach—either in the NFL, college level, or high school. You could become a PE teacher or go to school to be a trainer,” he went on. “Personally, I think you have a lot of options. If you’re really not into playing professionally anymore, you shouldn’t keep doing it.”
“Noah, you know the salary I’m making. How can I just walk away from that?” He shook his head again. “No. If I stick it out for another five years, I think I’d feel better financially. I want to know that when I’m done playing, I can maybe relax for a year before having to dive into a new career. And thanks to your financial planning, that’s all possible.”
“It is, but I don’t see the point in staying in a career you’re no longer happy with and facing potential injuries, for the sake of being able to take a year off five years from now.”
Jax frowned. “Now who’s crapping on someone’s life?”
