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“I don’t think that’s your choice to make,” I say quietly. “But I have no intention of hurting Parker if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Forgive me for not trusting you. Your track record proves otherwise.”
I fist my hands, one clutching the straps of my duffle and the other gripping my phone. “I can’t change how I behaved back then. But I have apologized to Parker. I owe you an apology too. I’m sorry, Brandon,” I say quickly, trying to cut in before he goes off again. “I shouldn’t have left the way I did.”
“You had years to apologize,” he says. “You’re only doing it now because you had to come here. You screwed up your own career enough to get kicked back down to this team. How’s that feel, huh?”
The elevator stops and the doors open, then slide shut again when neither of us moves to get off. I really don’t think this is the kind of conversation Parker envisioned us having. And while I’m disappointed, I’m more disappointed forhersake.
“I’m not proud of my mistakes,” I tell him. “But I’m honestly happy to be here.”
The words are true. I actually can’t remember the last time I was so happy or felt so … not alone. I’ve been a part of teams, but the Appies are different. I always kept myself aloof—there but not there. Whether it’s because of these guys specifically or because I'm in a weird place or maybe because of Parker, it’s the first time I’ve really let myself be connected in any personal way. To anyone.
Brandon studies me, frowning. He looks torn between confusion and disbelief. I’m sure, given the fact I recently made news fighting a fan in a store, he expected me to explode. Maybe he even hoped I would.
“How long until you leave heragain?”
Those words slice right into me. Brandon sees it too, his expression shifting to something smug.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing here, but leave Parker out of it,” he says, pointing a finger in my face. “You already broke her heart once. I won’t stand by and watch you do it again.”
“What?”
Brandon glares, then shakes his head, stepping back as he studies my face. He laughs, but it’s humorless.
“What?” I ask again, my anger finally starting to rise.
Brandon meets my gaze, his eyes blazing. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know about Parker’s crush on you. It was so obvious, man. She worshiped you.”
Wait—she did?
My mind cues up a montage of memories from back then. Parker smiling, Parker grabbing my arm excitedly, Parker’s bright eyes looking up at me with admiration.
Oradoration?
Maybe Brandon’s right, but I definitely didn’t see it then. Parker felt like the little sister I never had. I assumed she saw me as another, nicer Brandon. An older brother. Not … a crush. She feltsoyoung to me. But maybe to her, I didn’t seem so far out of reach.
The thought presses down like an invisible weight, making my chest feel tight. If this is true, then me leaving like I did would have hurt Parker even more. And yet, she welcomed me here, even before I apologized or explained. She even came to see a few of my games over the years.
Does this mean she’s always been interested in me? The thought makes me unreasonably happy, but those feelings are squeezed out by the vise grip of guilt.
“That was then,” I say, even as I’m still processing.
“You’re saying things will be different now?” Brandon says, his voice rising as the elevator doors slide open. “Because one thing hasn’t changed—how my sister feels about you.”
I don’t get time to turn that over and process it because Brandon is still yelling.
“And you’re still a man who can’t be counted on to stay. Will you ghost her again? Or will she at least get the benefit of a goodbye before she falls apart?”
That’s when Parker steps into the elevator. Her eyes swing between the two of us as her expression hardens. She jabs her finger into the button for the top level of the complex and then rounds on her brother.
Honestly, I wouldn’t want to be Brandon right now. Parker’s fury is a little terrifying.
“First of all, no. No—you don’t get to step in and say anything about my dating life. Period. This overprotective brother who shows up only when it’s convenient for him is getting tired. I’m over it.”
“Park—” Brandon starts, but she waves a hand in his face.
“Nope. You’re done talking.”
