It’s Always Us (Abandoned Brothers #3)

Chapter 30

MARK

Who in the hell invited Carlos?

We were teammates, but we’re not friends. He’s a partier, can be a hothead on the field, and overall, I don’t care for his wiseass face. He’s a showboat with the attitude of a peacock—loud and egotistical.

Right now, he needs to quit eyeing Lex like he’s TMZ’s newest employee. The ugly smirk that tugs at his lips has my hand curling into a ball, and I want to punch it off his face.

“What’s up, Carlos?” I ask, not answering his question and getting his attention off Lex. Rochelle doesn’t flinch, keeping her dark dagger eyes aimed straight at her.

“Ahhh. I think I should be asking you. Heard you left the team. Just walked away. That was a ballsy move.” He sucks his teeth. “How’s the shoulder?”

I let my head fall to the side. This dick is trying to get a rise out of me. “Ah, now, Carlos, I appreciate your concern, but none is needed. I know what I’m doing.”

He laughs, scratching his nose.

“I don’t know. Seems to me you left some pretty great things behind in New York,” Rochelle says, her eyes moving from me to Lex. “It’s a shame. You can’t fix that kind of mistake.”

I can tell she thinks she’s included, and I want to laugh, but I’ve burned enough bridges recently. I can’t help the small sliver of dread, sinking like a rock in my gut. It’s possible I walked away from the game altogether that day in New York. That it was the end, and I didn’t even know it.

I pull Lex in front of me and surround her because I have no doubt she’ll try to shrink away under their intense scrutiny. It’s not happening on my watch. Plus, I need her close to remind me why I’m doing this and what’s most important.

“I did leave some really great things behind in New York. Lots of good memories, a great team, and an organization that supported me.” I kiss the top of Lex’s head, needing her to hear this. “But it was time to move on. My life isn’t there anymore.” My whole world is right here, tucked between my arms .

Rochelle smiles, but it’s one of those fake, taunting smiles to inform me that I’m an idiot. “We’ll see how long it lasts this time.” She gives Lex another unimpressed once over, and I’m done here. “Unfortunately, it’ll be too late.”

I want to respond, but for the first time in my life nothing comes out. The fear of it being the end growing too fast for my cover to keep up with.

Maybe Lex senses it because she shifts in my arms. “When Mark wants something, he gives it his all, nothing less.” She runs a hand over her round stomach. I’m not sure if it’s subconsciously or if my girl has grown a pair in the last eight years, but I freaking love it. “He knows what he’s doing.” She tips her chin up and kisses the corner of my mouth, making me smile. “I have to find the bathroom.”

“You good?” I ask in her ear.

She nods, and I watch this amazing woman weave through the crowd. Her faith in me has never changed. It’s never faltered, and it’s everything I need.

The Lex I said goodbye to years ago was quiet and shy. The woman she’s grown into is still reserved, but there’s a humble tenacity that’s new, and it’s breathtaking.

“I like her.” Macgowen bumps my arm, stepping in front of Carlos and blocking him out. “I’m happy for you, man. It was time for you to settle down. Hang in there. Teams will show up. You’ve got too much left to give.”

I hope he’s right, but things are pretty bleak at the moment. Carlos and Rochelle sniff around for a bit before they head off to find another group to piss on. I talk with Macgowen and the guys about the Pro Bowl, wondering if this will all be the last of it for me.

The band moves from one song to another, and my eyes roam the area, searching for Lex. When the song finishes, and she hasn’t returned, a prickle of panic rolls through me. Was this all too much for her? Did Carlos and Rochelle make her second-guess things? Did she leave? Shit.

I check my phone. Nothing. My stomach hits the concrete, and I set my glass on the bar. “Sorry, guys, I’ve got to—”

“Hey, man.” Frank rejoins the group. “Your wife is outside,” he laughs, shoving his phone in his pocket. “I was making a call, and a bus broke down. It’s holding up all the traffic. Cars are backing up, and drivers are pissed. One lane and no way around. She was heading over to check it out.”

My lungs expand with relief, washing the fear away. “I’m going to see if she needs help.”

“ You, help . . . with a bus?” Macgowen chuckles. “All right, man. I like this look on you. Find me at the game.”

I slap his hand, unable to help the shit-eating grin on my face. I push my way through people who call my name like they know me. I don’t stop for photos or autographs, wanting to find out exactly what Lex is getting her hands into.

When I step past security, I see her. She’s standing on the driver’s side tire, her long blonde hair pulled over her shoulder, peering into the popped hood of the black, luxury party bus. Her tight dress, hugging every glorious curve, and her growing belly clearly getting in the way.

I snap a quick pic. The sight of her working does crazy things to me, and I will never ever get enough of it. Seeing her at work with my babies in tow brings it to a whole new level.

A horn blares and I’m pulled from checking out my wife. Drivers of backed-up cars sit waiting, phones in hand or pressed to their ears, while Lex inspects the bus.

I don’t know much, but I know she shouldn’t be standing on a tire, leaning over, and reaching in.

“That your lady?” the security guard asks me, following my gaze.

“My wife.” I step away to get her off the tire.

“Does she know what she’s doing?” he asks, and I turn back. “If this line gets any longer, we’ll have a safety issue on our hands. ”

“Where’s the driver?” He points to an overweight man sitting on the curb with his phone to his ear and a cigarette hanging from his lips. “Oh, she knows what she’s doing. Better hope she doesn’t need parts.”

I approach the bus, careful not to startle her.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I keep my tone smooth, although everything in me is poised to snatch her off the worn tire.

She doesn’t take her eyes off whatever she’s inspecting. “They had an issue. I’m taking a look.”

“I can see that. How about you get down?” She doesn’t move. “Like . . . now.”

“Just give me a minute.” She pulls on something, and I move closer, gripping her around the middle to be sure she’s steady.

“No. Right now, Lex. If you fall . . . ”

She straightens and peers down at me. “I need to check the—”

“Get down, babe. The driver doesn’t seem to be concerned his bus isn’t working, so—”

“He didn’t even know how to pop the hood.” Her tone tells me it’s the craziest thing she’s ever heard. “I had to show him.”

“Great. Now he knows and can call a tow truck. You have to get down.”

“Get a tow truck in here, how?” She looks around with a huff. “Clive needs these cars out of here.”

“Who’s Clive?”

She points, and the gatekeeper smiles. “Give me a minute to check a few more things, then—”

“Lex, you’re carrying our babies. You’ve lost your pretty mind if you think I’m letting you stay up there, balancing on a piece of worn rubber, or a ladder, or anything else that puts you four feet above the ground. Get down.”

She takes my hand, and I help her down while a horn blares in the distance.

She brushes off her dirty hands. “Fine, then I need you to help me.”

I look around. More people have gathered, waiting for their ride out.

“Me? You want me to help?” I stare at her. “Remember that time I tried to help you line up the transmission on your truck? You told me under no circumstances was I ever to lay my hands on car parts again. ”

Her mouth turns up into a beautiful smile. She’s in her happy place, and it makes my heart explode with a kind of joy I’ve only recently been reminded exists.

“Yes, I remember. I meant it, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and I don’t have Carson or Wind here, so you’ll have to do.”

She walks over to the man I now know as Clive, and he follows her, carrying his stool.

All these men are standing around completely helpless while she’s ready to work. Part of me is excited to get in there. I’m going to watch my girl kick this party bus’s ass, and I actually get to assist in the ass kicking.

Wait. “Why didn’t you say Slade?” A flash of him hugging her skates through my mind. Slade, her best friend. Everything seemed platonic from my angle, but I was very aware of his laser eyes on Lex, which were full of irritation.

No man gets his jock strap in a wad over unanswered calls unless feelings are involved. I would know. I never cared if a woman returned my call, but Lex better damn well, or I’d lose my shit. It makes me curious if there’s anything more than friendly feelings happening on his side.

“Huh?” She points to the stool, expecting me to climb up, so I do.

“Why did you say you don’t have Carson or Wind here? You didn’t include Slade.”

She side-eyes me as I step up. “Slade would just push me out of the way and do it himself.”

Great. Manly Slade could just get in there and fix this beast himself . That answer doesn’t give me anything, but if Slade has feelings, I really don’t care. He had eight years to make a move and didn’t. Now, Lex is mine and always will be. It really sucks to be him.

“Now, come on. Roll up your sleeves, Sandberg. Get in there and get this fixed, or I’ll climb up there and do it myself.”

“You know, I kind of like it when you’re bossy.” One eyebrow raises. “Maybe we should work on engines together more often.”

“You know there’s more in there than the engine, right?” She is giving me rare shit, and I love it. Lex talking cars and engines is damn sexy, and I want it all day and all night.

I hear a group hoot and holler my name, recognizing Macgowen and the guys. They’ve now joined the group of useless spectators .

“It seems like an electrical fault. I need you to check the battery cables for any looseness or corrosion.”

“Uh. Where’s that?” I stare at all of inner parts, having no idea what they are.

She moves to the side and pushes to her toes trying to get a look. “Over here.” She points. “Wiggle each of those cables to see if they’re loose. Look for corrosion. It’s white or green and powdery.”

I find the cables, and they don’t move. “They all seem tight, and I don’t see any residue.”

“Ok. Follow the cable down to where it connects to the body and do the same.” I lean further, moving my hand along the cable. “You should feel a bolt, and it should be securely attached.”

My fingers find the bolt. “There’s a ring.”

“Yeah, it should be connected to the bolt. See if it moves.”

I jiggle. “It’s loose.”

“Great. We need an adjustable wrench.”

I straighten. “Clive,” I holler. “We need an adjustable wrench stat.” Lex snickers. “What you are you laughing at? I’m going to fix this drunk mobile, and then you have to take back your ‘I can never put my hands on a car again’ rule.”

I get both eyebrows this time. “That so.”

I lean down my lips an inch from hers. “You’re so beautiful when you’re doing what you love.”

She bites her lip, her eyes flicking between mine. “Not even close to watching you play.” Her voice is achingly tender, sending a warm ripple through my chest.

A throat clears, followed by a gravelly voice. “Hey, this is all I’ve got.” The driver stands, holding an emergency kit with a handful of silver tools.

Lex selects one. “Let’s see if this will work.” She hands it to me. “See if you can get this around the bolt enough to tighten it.” I take the wrench and angle it to fit it onto the bolt. “You’ll have to keep the cable from twisting and make sure it’s snug.”

It takes me a few minutes, but little by little, the bolt tightens.

Lex tells the driver to try to start the truck. I hop off the stool as he climbs in the driver’s seat.

She gives the go-ahead, and it roars to life. The gathered crowd cheers .

Lex grins, and I can’t help but lean over and kiss her, holding it for just a second before kissing her again.

“We did it,” she says against my lips.

“Damn straight we did.” I wrap my arms around her, kissing her one more time. “You ready to get out of here? I wasn’t expecting this to turn into a work trip for you.”

“That was fun. Besides, you getting those million-dollar hands dirty is pretty hot.”

“That so.”

“Totally.” She yawns and rests her head against my shoulder.

“Maybe if no one picks me up, I’ll work with you. I can be your assistant.”

She laughs. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Your little jealous streak works just fine.” She grins, and I want to kiss it right off her mouth.

“I’m not jealous. I stole your heart a long time ago. It’s been mine ever since. Always will be.”

Her arms slide around my back. “You’re so sure of yourself.”

“Baby, being tentative would’ve gotten me nowhere. You said it. When I see something I want, I play to win. With you, I played for keeps.”

A warm flush creeps up her cheeks, and we can’t get back to the hotel fast enough.

Clive gathers his stool while the guys praise Lex for not letting them die stranded on a sidewalk.

As we wait for our car, she slides her arms around my waist and rests her head on my chest. “You’re going to be fine, you know that, right?”

I frown, unsure of what she’s talking about.

She tips her chin up. “They’re coming . . . the teams. Everyone knows what you can do. They always have.”

I press my lips to her forehead, inhaling her and hoping she’s right.

______

ROB: **Picture attached of Lex on the tire, reaching under the hood of the party bus.**

ROB: I’m assuming this wasn’t intentional, but definitely a way to get peoples’ attention.