Chapter 40

CHAPTER

FORTY

ALEXANDER

“You know I can’t tell you anything,” Jack booms through my car’s speakers. “Anything she says to Courtney is privileged. They met a few days ago, and she agreed to work with her. You have to trust me. She’s in good hands.”

“Can you at least tell me how she’s doing?” It’s been two weeks and three days since I’ve seen or talked to her. Jack says I can’t even text because phone records can be pulled up in court, and given the accusations, it’s a strong possibility.

“Damnit, Xander, I can’t believe I have to tell you this. Use your fucking Decker Connection. Have someone else reach out and ask her friends. But don’t ask me and don’t ask her. At least not until this gets resolved. Wheels are in motion here, and I cannot have you fucking this up. Be patient. You're not great at that, so it's a stretch. I need you to do this.”

I run my hand through my hair, pulling at the strands. I’m not used to feeling so helpless. “I appreciate you, Jack. You’re right. I know you’re right. It’s just.” I can’t finish the sentence .

“I know, man, I know. We all know. Just hang in there. It should be over soon.”

I take a deep breath and focus on what he said. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. “Enjoy your Thanksgiving. Tell Lucy I said hi. I’ll make it up to her for all the overtime.”

Jack and I are going in different directions for Thanksgiving. He’s driving to the mountains to see his family, and I’m on my way to Charleston to see mine. It’s been five months since my friends and family gathered at Chance’s beach house to celebrate Darcy’s new business. That was the night that changed everything. The night I got the call Pauly Jackson was involved in an assault. The night that sent me on a trajectory to meet my sunshine.

Everyone’s gathering at the beach house for the holiday weekend. Chance said we’re forgoing the traditional turkey and dressing for a more coastal-themed feast. I’m not sure what that entails, but since he’s the only one in season, I’m sure it will include lots of alcohol and desserts for the rest of us. That’s all I know about the weekend. I'm sure there were more details in the group chat, but the one I'm in has been pretty quiet. Not normal.

I almost canceled. I’m prepared for this weekend to be some sort of inquisition or intervention. Either way, I’m sure I’ll be the center of it, and I’m not in the mood. Frankly, I’m never in the mood for that shit, but definitely not now. Not when it feels like my heart is getting stabbed with a hot poker. It sucks.

Trevor went home for a few days last week, so I’ve had peace and quiet. Usually, I like solitude. But this week? It’s been hell. I don’t want to be alone anymore.

I’ve spent more hours in the office than I should, especially since I’ve closed down everything for another week. I’ve even made up work to do to keep me there. I sit at my desk for hours and stare at the card Tyler made. Thank you for giving us a family. I know he was talking about Joe and Mickey, but that word. Family. That’s what I want with them.

The other item that occupies too much of my attention is the piece of Rea per’s stationery I found on my desk the day after our first kiss. Her lipstick signature forever captured on paper. She didn’t want to come up to my office because she’d snuck up before the playoff game. When I asked her favorite intern, he just shrugged. Proves everyone loves her and will risk their jobs and anything else important for her. I have both valuable items tucked into my suitcase. They go everywhere with me.

As I drive onto the quiet coastal island, I know it’s time to surrender and ask Team True Love for help. Maybe Jack’s right. I’ve got the connections, and they’re all in one place. If this gathering is about me, I might as well use it to my advantage.

Opening the front door, there are people sprawled out everywhere, and I do a quick headcount. Matt, Darcy, Jules, Chance, and Emma are playing a game at the dining room table with two of Darcy’s friends. Samantha and Jay, I think? Trevor’s asleep in the recliner. Tripp is reading a book by the fireplace. It looks like Cole is on the deck talking on the phone. That must mean Ash is here somewhere.

“There’s my favorite big brother,” she says as she comes down the stairs, wrapping me in a tight hug. A hug I desperately need.

I laugh. “I thought Jules was your favorite?” He is, and I’m okay with that. We both serve a role. I’m the protector, and Jules is the confidant. We Deckers play to our strengths.

“I just tell him that because he has a bigger ego.” She stretches up on her toes and kisses me on the cheek. “I’ve missed you.”

“It’s good to see you too. You still plan on marrying that boy?” Playing my role.

“Yep.” She follows my line of sight and smiles. “Something’s going on, but he won’t tell me what it is. That’s his third call today.” She slaps my arm and shakes her head. “Boys.” She sighs and walks into the den. “Hey everyone, look who decided to finally show up.” Everyone turns their heads toward me and shouts various greetings .

Well, now that everyone knows I’ve arrived, the fun can begin.

I get caught up with everyone. Tripp went to Mexico for a week and invited me to go back with him after this weekend. I politely decline.

Matt and Darcy found a house, and it sounds perfect for them. When they talk about the big backyard, I think of Tyler having a place to play and maybe even have a dog. He really wants a dog.

It’s still early in the season, but the Renegades have a decent shot at the cup this year. They have a lot of young talent that’s been in development for the last two years. It’s time to see the payoff. But that means a lot of extra work for Chance. As the captain, wrangling and mentoring a bunch of twenty-year-olds with unlimited money and tons of puck bunnies is no easy task. That’s why he makes the big bucks. But here in this setting, he’s the most laid-back host I’ve ever seen. He only has two days before he’s back to work for his next game in Charleston, so this gathering worked out perfectly with his schedule.

Emma loves teaching and is thriving in Savannah. She and Trevor spend a lot of time together, and maybe she even missed him while he was with me. He finally got his cast off and has a removable walking boot, a considerable improvement. I can’t believe I almost lost him this year. I still get emotional thinking about it.

Later, I track Cole down in the upstairs living room where he’s watching Sportscenter and preoccupied with his phone.

“Hear she still wants to marry you.” I grab a beer from the bar fridge and sit in a chair facing the beach. We get along fine after our rocky start, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be one hundred percent with him. Maybe ninety-nine percent because she’s still my little sister, but that’s the best he can ask for.

“Shocking, huh?” He gives me a goofy, in-love grin.

“A little. So what’s going on with you? Nothing work related, I hope.” I glance at his phone, which he keeps checking. Baseball is a busines s, and no one knows that better than me. The offseason is a busy time to review contracts and make moves, trades, and cuts. It’s the time to strategize for the year. The young guys like Cole are literal pawns on a playing field. One phone call and their lives can change instantly. New city, team, division, or maybe it’s the end of the dream. I’ve never taken that lightly, but it’s business. I doubt New York would do anything drastic with Cole after one year, and if they were thinking about it, Jules would have the inside track. It’s unlikely his distraction is baseball related, but you never know.

“No, not really. I expect a full year in Nashville and am okay with that. I like it there.”

“So what’s got Ash anxious?” I give him my big brother look. He may be her fiancé, but I’ll kick his ass if the situation demands it. Won’t be the first time.

“Promise not to tell her?”

“No.” Depending on what it is, I won’t make that promise.

He laughs. “Figures.” He runs his hand through his shaggy, curly hair. “I’ve been approached to cowrite an album with Pineapple Sunset. I never knew more lawyers would be involved in music than in baseball, but there are.”

“Pineapple Sunset, the boy band?” Dani loves their music. I’m not much of a pop music fan, but their name invokes a memory of watching her sway to their songs in my living room and me fucking her on the counter in my kitchen.

“Yeah, they’re pretty cool, really. Down to earth, you know. Almost normal. Just a bunch of guys chasing a dream. And apparently a girl or two.” He grins like the smug bastard that caught the girl he was chasing.

“So why keep it a secret from Ash? You guys don’t do secrets well.” Secrets can kill a relationship. Exhibit A sitting right here. Fuck, I miss her.

“I know, I know. I’m not keeping a secret, not really. I want to tell her once I know what it’ll look like. Right now, it’s just a lot of what ifs and maybes. ”

“Well, she’s a little nervous, not knowing. If there’s one thing I know about us Deckers is that we like to know what we’re faced with. We have pretty active imaginations and can go pretty dark. Don’t let her do that. She knows something’s up.”

First-hand experience, right here. I’ve been in some dark places wondering about Dani. “Tell her. Let her support you. For some reason I’ll never understand, she loves you. Let her.” I give him a genuine smile. Despite my tough bravado, he’s a good man for Ash.

He twists the phone in his hand, thinking. “Yeah, you’re probably right. I didn’t want to worry her. She’s got a lot going on.” Now I’m on heightened alert. I immediately sit up and lean forward, all attention focused on him.

“Down, down.” He fans his hands toward me. “She still needs to hire another assistant, but I’ve also figured out Deckers don’t like to ask for help, either. This album would take up most of my offseason since we’ll try to finish the majority in the next two months. I won’t be there to help her find balance and downtime. And she’s stressed. I don’t want her to get buried in work, you know. I want her to have fun. Preferably with me.” He gives me a smile that lets me know he’s not thinking pure thoughts about my sister.

I sigh. “I get it, I do. But tell her. Everything. Your concerns, your dreams, your wishes for her. She’ll listen to you.” Cole exhales and sits back on the couch, tossing his phone on the cushion beside him.

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” He looks around and sees we’re still alone. “So, what’s going on with Dani? You going to fix it?”

“I sure as fuck hope so. I’m about to be uncharacteristically Decker and ask for help. I hope Team True Love is up to the challenge.”

Cole gives me a chuckle and gets a gleam in his eye. “We hoped that would be the case. Come on, I’ll let them know the persuasion phase is unnecessary.” He slaps me on the back. “And they sai d Leigh would the only one who could do it. Jules owes a hundred bucks!” I knew there was more going on in that group chat.

What the hell would the persuasion phase even look like? I’m not sure whether to be happy or terrified of the Decker Connection.