Chapter Twenty-Five RHETT

Silas is a fucking wimp. I see the flicker of fear in his gaze as I glare at him. The way his Adam’s apple bobs when his gaze drops to my fisted hands. I’d use them on him too, but I don’t want to risk the game. I can’t. Too many people are depending on me tonight.

But damn, the moment I saw this little prick giving Willow a bunch of shit, I had to come over and end it. Fuck this guy. He needs to stay away from her. I don’t really care either if Willow is mad that I ran to her defense and called her mine because this fucker doesn’t ever seem to take a hint.

Clueless asshole.

I don’t give in to Silas, don’t even bother to say a word either, and I don’t have to. He silently gives in without any more urging from me, turning and slinking away like a beat down dog. Only when he’s out of sight do I turn and check on Willow.

“You all right?”

She seems dazed. Even a little confused. “What are you doing here?”

“Walked over here with your brother. Said he had to go to his room to grab something. He’s still in there.” I frown, wondering what the hell Row needs. I’m sure he told me, but I’ve forgotten thanks to my all-encompassing rage toward Silas.

Been bored pretty much all afternoon while watching everyone run through drills and practice their asses off. Coach didn’t want me working too hard and fucking up my chances for tonight so I was just sitting around and killing time. I jumped at the chance to walk with Rowan over to his special Lancaster dorm building. Was I hoping to run into Willow?

Maybe.

Definitely.

“Oh.” She offers me a genuine smile and the sight of it eases my anger some. She hasn’t looked at me like that in a week and I’ve missed it. Missed her. “Well, thank you. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. That asshole needs to leave you alone.”

She laughs. “Tell me about it.”

“Why was he chasing after you anyway?”

“I caught him and Alana arguing.” Her expression turns sheepish. “I was kind of spying on their conversation.”

Now I’m the one chuckling. “I would’ve too. I bet it was good.”

“It was. When she was yelling at him, she even mentioned that he cheated on her before.” Will shakes her head, the disgust on her face obvious. “So disappointing.”

“What a bastard.”

“Have you ever cheated on someone before?”

I’m taken aback by her question. That she actually had the nerve to ask me this.

“First, I’ve never been in a relationship where it would be considered cheating if I talked to another girl, and second, when I’m all in, I’m all in. I would never cheat,” I say vehemently. “I’m the most loyal motherfucker you’ll ever meet.”

She seems shocked by my admission, and maybe I went a little overboard, but fuck it. I’m tired of this girl constantly making it seem like I’m a problem. I’m not the problem here—she is. I’m ready to be down for her. I’ve got it so fucking bad for Willow Lancaster and she has no goddamn clue because she hasn’t given me a chance to show her.

And man, the things I could show her.

“That’s good to know,” she finally says, sounding vaguely breathless.

“I get it from my dad. He’s worshipped my mother since the first moment he spoke to her.” Even worshipped her from afar for about two years, though he admitted he wasn’t a saint then. Not like he could save himself for her, he told me, which just made me laugh. And then got me a little grossed out because the last thing I ever want to think about is my parents having sex.

“That’s sweet.” Willow’s smile is as soft as her voice. “My parents are the same way.”

That means she might be searching for the same thing I am—hopefully. “You get along with them?”

She nods. “Oh, definitely. I’m really close to my mom. She’s like my best friend. Well, besides Iris.”

“Does Iris hate me?” I can never get a read on that girl. She’s too unpredictable.

Same with the one standing in front of me.

“No, of course not. If Iris hated you, you’d know it.”

“Okay.” Not sure if I one hundred percent believe her, but I guess I’ll take her word for it.

“I’ve come to realize that you’re always running to my rescue,” she murmurs.

“Gladly,” I say without hesitation. “I will do anything to protect you, Will.”

She’s frowning, her delicate brows drawing together in confusion. “You don’t even know—”

“I know enough,” I tell her, cutting her off. “I know you enjoy reading that suck ass book in English and you feel sorry for that dead relative of yours with the creepy statue. I know you like to wear bows in your hair every day and that sexy red lipstick on your mouth and you always look fucking hot. I know you’re really smart and you have a great voice and you’re genuinely kind. I know you feel invisible sometimes and that’s probably because Iris is the louder Lancaster between the two of you, but I see you, Willow. I see you and I want to see more of you and I don’t know why you keep denying me the privilege. Because that’s what it would be—a privilege to be with you. To let everyone know that we’re together. Maybe I’m talking out my ass and I’m saying too much but I can’t keep it in any longer. I’ve never felt this way about a girl before.”

She’s frozen in place, the only thing moving is her chest, which rises and falls at a rapid pace, as if she’s breathing heavily. All from what I just said? I guess so. It was a lot. Probably too much.

Damn, I hope I didn’t mess everything up.

“I should go.” I glance just beyond her shoulder to see Row emerging from the building, a giant smile on his face as he heads in our direction. “Your brother is coming over here.”

“Oh.” She nods and turns to smile at him, and I wish she’d aim more of that sunshine on me. “Hey, Row. How are you?”

“Great. Ready for tonight’s game,” he answers with a smile.

“I’d wish you good luck, but I don’t think you need it. I’m sure you’ll crush them,” she says with all the confidence of a supportive sister.

Rowan pulls her into a quick hug, towering over her. They look alike, but not quite. Just enough to know they’re siblings. They have the same color hair and eyes. “Thanks. You coming to my game?”

“Of course,” she says with an enthusiastic nod. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Awesome. Mom and Dad will be there too.”

“They will?” She seems shocked. Like what, her parents didn’t let her know they were coming?

“They come to all my games, even the away ones.” Row smiles, reaching out to nudge her shoulder, giving her a little push though she doesn’t really move. “It’s nice to see them in the stands.”

“Mom never mentioned it to me. Though I haven’t talked to her all week,” Willow admits.

“She probably assumed you’d already know because I told you. I haven’t talked to you much either. Too much going on with football,” he tells her. “You can sit with them. Or with Iris. You’ll probably have more fun with Iris.”

“Maybe I’ll sit with them during the JV game,” Willow says, her gaze shifting to me, lingering for the briefest moment before she hurriedly looks away. “And I’ll sit with Iris and our friends during the varsity game.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Row sends me a quick glance. “We should probably head back, huh?”

“Yeah, let’s do it.” I turn my attention to Willow, wishing we could talk more after my over-the-top confession, but I’m not about to get all in my feels in front of her little brother, so I keep my mouth shut. “You’re definitely staying for the varsity game?”

“Yes.” Her smile is small. Real. The sight of it touches my soul, which sounds like a bunch of shit to my logical self, but the emotional part of me believes it wholeheartedly. I needed to see that smile more than anything. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Good. The first touchdown I throw will be just for you.”

And with that crazed statement, I leave her where she stands, heading for the field with Row walking along beside me. I can tell he’s trying to figure out why I just said all that. His lips part and he clamps them shut repeatedly before he finally just blurts out the question when we’re about halfway to the stadium.

“You into my sister or what?”

“Maybe.” I shrug. Why deny it? “Yes. Do you have a problem with that?”

I don’t mean to sound so hostile, but I’m sick of the roadblocks that are thrown at me from every angle, especially the ones from Willow herself.

“I don’t have a problem with it,” Rowan says slowly, as if he’s thinking over everything I just said. “What does Willow think?”

“She’s not into me,” I reply.

“Did she tell you that?”

Damn it, yes, she did. “Sort of.”

“But she’s coming to your game.”

“It’s a football game, Row. There’s nothing else going on tonight. Everyone is coming.” I’m trying to rationalize this idea with myself so I don’t get my hopes up. Too late though.

They’re up. As high as the fucking sky.

“You told her you’ll throw a touchdown for her,” Row points out.

“That was just some corny shit.” I’m trying to play it off.

“Sounded pretty serious to me.”

These fucking Lancasters are too smart for their own good. “I’m flirting with her, not that she gets it.”

“Well, don’t forget to treat my sister with respect,” Row practically demands. “She’s a good girl.”

“I know.” I nod as we walk along the path that leads to the stadium, my mind filled with nothing else but her. I can hear Coach blowing his whistle, a couple guys are yelling, and I know my head should be in the game. This is an important night. “I know.”

We’re quiet for a moment and only when we’re walking through the stadium’s front gates does Row speak again.

“Want to get in good with my sister?”

“Definitely.” This is the type of information I didn’t expect and desperately need.

“Get close to our family. It’s the most important thing to her. To all of us,” Row explains. “You’re already ahead of the game since we’re friends.”

“Yeah?” I slap him on the back, making him grunt. “I appreciate you, man. Truly.”

Row laughs. “You owe me.”

“I do,” I agree without hesitation.

His advice is great and all, but I have an immediate situation here that I need to take care of. All I can think about is Will. I can envision her sitting in the stands, wearing that sweet smile when I look up at her after I throw the first touchdown. She might even be blushing. And I’ll be grinning, knowing I did it all for her.

I’d do anything for her.