The Way We Play (Bradford Boys #2)

Chapter 22

22

Rachel

T he windows are up, my phone is connected to the Jeep, and I’ve cued up my favorite drag queen music. I’m rocking my fiercest moves all the way back to Newhope. I will survive .

Edward’s brow furrows as he glances at me from his side of the Jeep. “Nala’s a good horse. I’m sure Miss Gloria wouldn’t mind if you rode her whenever you need to.”

I sing a line to my brother about having a new attitude, and he frowns. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I shake my finger and keep on singing. “My worries are few.”

“Okay.” He shifts again. “It’s just… you usually play this music when things aren’t so good.”

“Things are perfect .” I hit the word hard. “I’m a strong, confident woman, and I’m feeling good from my head to my shoes.”

Zane Bradford can’t shake my confidence. The first time he pushed me away, I was devastated. This time, he’s got another thing coming.

It wasn’t just a kiss, and it’s not just sex. It’s a lot more than that—for both of us. I’ve seen it in his eyes. I’ve heard it in his words, and he’d better figure himself out before he loses something really good.

We park the Jeep and hop out, walking down to the restaurant. “Dylan, Allie, and I are going to the park to do yoga. Want to walk over?”

“The tournament is this weekend. Benji Maxwell is coming over to practice.”

“Who’s Benji Maxwell?” I frown as he continues with purpose.

“One of the kids from Second Chance. He’s not very good, but I’m going to coach him. His mother asked if I would, and I said yes.”

“His mother asked about you?” Blinking wider, I hold the door for him to enter the large dining hall.

“People have heard of me.” He says it so calmly.

We enter, and a stocky woman with short brown hair, rosy cheeks, and a sweet smile stands beside a boy who looks a little younger than Edward.

“Hi, I’m Alice Maxwell.” She holds out a hand, and I shake it. “It’s so nice of Eddie to help Ben. He really wants to play on Sunday.”

Ben is dressed in the usual boy uniform—jeans, T-shirt, and navy hoodie. He looks around the room before looking at Edward. “I’ve never been this far north.”

“We live in Barnwell,” Alice explains. “It’s such a nice restaurant, and Zane is just wonderful with the kids. He put Eddie and Ben together on Shiloh, and they’ve done so well together.”

I only smile. “I’m Eddie’s sister Rachel. It’s nice to meet you.”

“If it’s okay, I’ll just walk around downtown and do a little shopping?”

“Of course! They’ll be fine here.” She thanks us and gives Benji cash. I nod to Edward. “We’ll only be gone an hour or two. Text me if you need anything. ”

Watching him walk away in his flannel shirt and ball cap, with Ben following along like a good little student, my anger at Zane melts into frustration. He does so many good things, helping my brother get ready for school, matching him with kids at the farm. For a whole moment, I consider getting back in the Jeep and driving to Miss Gina’s to make him say he loves me.

“Nope.” I shake my head, pushing that impulse right back down again.

It’s time to be strong for myself. I can’t heal Zane Bradford. He has to make that decision on his own, and I’ve got a date with Dylan and Allie.

“Forward fold…” I lean down to touch my toes. “Hands on the ground and walk out into plank.”

Allie and Dylan are in front of me on their mats. We’re all dressed in yoga pants and hoodies, and my phone plays a reedy-style of music while we move through the flow.

“Lift your glutes into downward-facing dog, and walk your feet and hands together. Focus on your breathing.”

We continue moving through the poses, going down to the mat for abdominal work until Allie starts hollering.

“I’m dying over here!” she cries, and Dylan and I start to laugh. “I thought you said this was going to be gentle yoga. My stomach muscles are screaming.”

“We’re on our last leg.” I quip in a soothing tone as we extend our legs while holding a crunch.

“I’m on my last everything!”

We finish in Lotus position, hands in prayer pose in front of our chests. I guide us through cool-down breathing, and we’re done.

“Namaste,” I say, squinting up at them.

Dylan’s eyes are closed, but Allie falls over onto her side. “ Namaste right here. Send Austin with the wheelbarrow to haul me back.”

“Allie!” Dylan snorts, pushing her hip. “It wasn’t that hard. You really need to move more.”

“Sorry we’re not all prima ballerinas and yoga… sperts. What’s a yoga expert called?”

“A yogini?”

“Mmm… I could go for a martini right now.”

“Your vacation mode is definitely activated,” Dylan laughs.

“It’s true!” I shift onto my knees. “We’re all on vacation this week. We should have a girls’ night!”

I’m ready to party, not sit in my room right across the hall from Dylan’s broody older brother analyzing and obsessing over all his problems until I ultimately break down and bang on his door.

No! I really need to do something.

“The restaurant closes early tomorrow,” Dylan offers. “What do you say? Meet at the bar at nine?”

“Is that okay with Eddie?” Allie’s nose wrinkles.

“If he’s had dinner and is all set, I don’t have to be in the house. He’s not a baby.”

“It’s a date, then, and I am so here for it. I’ve been working my ass off.” Dylan groans.

Our mats are rolled, water bottles stowed, and we’re walking back to the restaurant along the wide, concrete path.

Tilting my head to the side, I consider this. “You know, I think this might be my very first girls’ night.”

“Don’t tell me that!” Allie holds up her hands. “Girl, that is just too sad. We’re going to have to pull out all the stops.”

“What are the stops?”

“Shots…” Dylan starts.

“Drinking games…” Allie adds.

“Fuck, marry, kill.”

“What’s that?” My eyes widen.

“We make up different scenarios, and you have to decide who falls into which category,” Allie explains. “Like Chris Evans, Chris Pine, Chris Hemsworth.”

“Wait.” I stop walking. “I have to decide which of those I’ll fuck, marry, or kill?”

“Easy—kill Pine, fuck Evans, marry Hemsworth.” Dylan counts off on her fingers.

“What?” Allie cries. “Marry Evans, fuck Hemsworth.”

“You still get to fuck Hemsworth if you’re married to him, and just imagine waking up to that every day.” Dylan’s eyes flutter. “And have you seen his dick?”

“What am I going to do until tomorrow night?” I do a little skip.

I’m so glad I’m not a virgin anymore, even if I’m still mad at Zane. I’m not sure how I’d participate in girls’ night never having done it . It would be too theoretical.

“Have I mentioned you’ve been really glowing these last few days?” Dylan narrows her eyes at me, and my cheeks flush.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I’m blinking fast, and I know she knows I’m hiding something.

“Okay… you don’t have to talk about it yet.” She puts her arm around me. “But just know I approve.”

Her words nudge the ache I’m hiding behind my anger. I’d love to break down and talk to Dylan about everything, including what happened today, but what would I say? Her brother, whom I’ve had sex with a million times over the last five days has suddenly withdrawn over past trauma. Trauma he refuses to talk about.

We’re back at the restaurant, and the three of us share a hug.

“I’m headed home. I’ve got to shower.” Allie waves. “I plan to sleep in all day, and maybe I’ll get up and do something productive before I come back here to get crunk with you ladies!”

I do a little Whoo! cheer.

“You’d better leave those expectations at home.” Dylan circles her finger in the air. “We are not being ladies tomorrow night! ”

With a little happy-clap, I follow her into the restaurant.

“I’ll see what Thomas made too much of tonight. It’ll be our dinner.”

“I’ll just grab my brother.”

I walk over to the side porch to see what Eddie is doing, and I find him with Kimmie and Austin talking like old friends. Austin is pretty sharp at pool as well, and between the two of them, they’re clearing the table fast.

Kimmie bounces on her toes, calling out as each ball sinks into a pocket. “Red number seven!”

“That was actually maroon,” Eddie corrects her before lining up to sink the last ball.

“Black number eight!” She throws up both hands, shaking her stuffed red turtle over her head. “Eddie Nashville wins again!”

Austin only chuckles, shaking his head. “I guess I’d better stick to football.”

The two of them do a fist bump, and I almost start to cry. We never had this in Birmingham, not even at my grandmother’s.

I think about how we left, with everyone up in arms pointing fingers and trying to medicate him. My only choice was to pack his bags and bring him here, keep him with me like I’ve always done.

Straightening, I turn, and my heart stops in my chest. Zane is behind me quietly watching, a hint of a smile curling his lips. He’s so beautiful, distant and clinging to those old wounds. I turn away from him because my emotions are already up.

“You’re right.” I swallow the ache in my throat. “Things are different here.”

He doesn’t speak, and I wonder if he’ll even answer me. I wonder if I want him to.

Then he says, “Austin’s a good kid.”

“Kimmie is, too.” Defiance is my fallback, and he exhales his assent.

“She’s a pistol. ”

We watch as they put away their pool cues, leave the balls in the pockets, and hang the triangle.

My stomach is tight, but I keep my tone steady. “I met Benji this morning. His mother brought him over for Eddie to coach. She said you put them together.”

“Yeah.” He straightens, pushing his hands in his pockets. “Eddie’s a natural teacher.”

The heat between us pulses on every heartbeat, and I don’t believe he doesn’t feel it. I don’t believe his arms don’t ache to hold me. The pull between us is so strong, it hurts.

“What are you doing, Zane?” I’m using his words this time.

The muscle moves in his jaw, as he shifts his stance before answering quietly. “Keeping you safe.”

My response is equally quiet. “I don’t think so. I think you’re keeping yourself safe, and you’re breaking my heart. And yours.”

Ice blue eyes lift to mine, but I have to get away from him now. My stomach is tight, and I’m not hungry anymore.

Placing my hand on the screen door, I enter the game room. The trio looks up at us, with bright eyes and smiles.

“Auntie Rachel!” Kimmie skips over to me, and I’m surprised. She’s never called me auntie before.

“Hey, cutie.” I bend down to give her a hug, looking up at my brother. “I’m headed to the house. Dylan has leftovers for dinner, so be sure and get some.”

Eddie nods. “Okay. Thanks.”

Straightening, I turn and walk away from Zane, not looking back.