24. The Brother

TWENTY-FOUR

THE brOTHER

BECCA

I finish cleaning up and getting dressed in the Gamblerettes locker room. The girls are making plans to go out and invite me along. I could let loose on the dance floor tonight. Maybe even drink. Catch the eye of a man and see where it leads.

But I won't. Everything with Cam is still too raw.

I turn down the invitation, and text Calista. If she's around, I could talk her into a pint of Ben and Jerry's. She texts back that she and Danny are entertaining his parents who have come to town. She's been worried about meeting them for weeks.

I'm about to text Kallie to see if she can hang out, even though I'm sure she's planning to be with Big D tonight, celebrating their big win. A text comes in to me instead.

I gape at the name Hayes on my phone.

Hayes: Hi

Becca: That's it? One word after all this time?

Hayes: Meet me down the hall and I'll give you some more.

"No freaking way." I run out and down the hall, my eyes scanning on the lookout. It's been so long I'm not even sure I'd recognize him. Until I spot him standing by the arena exit, and everything about him is familiar, with a cute boy-next-door smile, and hair the same color as mine.

"Hayes!" I break into a run and jump into his arms. Laughing, crying.

"There's my Becks." He says my name the way he's called me my entire life, and swings me around in a circle before putting me down.

I stare up at him, mad at him, but happy to see him all the same.

A woman nearby clears her throat.

"Oh. This is Abilene. We just met on the way here, and she needed to get away, so I brought along for the ride."

"You're incorrigible." The woman with big Texas-stye hair slaps his arm and laughs.

"That's not what you called me last night, sugar." Hayes winks. How strange it is to see him laughing and relaxed with her when growing up, he was always a bit high strung.

"Don't let him fool you. We've been together a few months and we're engaged." Her Texas twang is sweet, and I turn my attention to her ring she flashes.

"Wow. We have a lot to catch up on."

"Give us a few minutes, sugar, would you?" Hayes asks. She nods and steps away.

I'm ready now to lay into him. "What the hell are you doing here? How did you know where to find me?"

"Cam paid me a visit a few weeks ago in Texas. He caught me in a sleeper hold and nearly threatened my life if I didn't come see you, so you have him to thank." He gestures to the side.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Cam standing there, off a ways, hands in pockets and watching us. I cross my arms and glare. But how can I be mad when Hayes is here talking to me? That might not have happened with him, apparently.

"You couldn't have reached out to me yourself?" I plant my fists on my hips, not ready to forgive my brother yet.

"Let me explain. I was an asshole." That's the understatement of the year coming from his lips that I never expected to hear. "You know it and I know it. There's no excuse for me shutting you out in the aftermath of the whole family ordeal. Please understand though, after it all went down, I just needed to leave, to find out who I was without them. Hell, I'd drop my last name if I could and start all over, just so I'm not associated with them."

"You hurt me so bad." My shoulders fall and I dab at my tears, not wanting my makeup to smear. But hell, doesn't matter. The game is over. He's apologizing and a good enough reason to cry.

"I never meant to do that. I had every intention of calling you to talk at some point. But time drifted and I became some shithead who didn't want to deal with reality."

"How very grown up of you to finally admit this."

"I guess I have Abilene to thank for that. She's helped me see things in a new light. But look at you. Dancing like you always dreamed of. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks. It's a different version maybe of the same dream at least."

"And you have Cam to thank for it?"

"Yes and no." I twerk my lips.

"For the record, if the two of you ever?—"

"Stop, we're not." Do I admit that we have, though? And that I want more? He's over there just waiting for us to finish, I know it. He's done this incredible thing for me, and I'm sure he wants to know what that means for us. I want to know, too.

"Hm. I see the way you two are stealing glances. If you ever got together…" He takes his hat off and scratches his dark hair.

I expect him to say he'd kick Cam's ass for stepping over the line and putting moves on me. But then I'd have to tell him that it was my idea in the first place. I'm the one who pushed Cam over the line. I'm the one who pushed him away. And I'm kicking my own ass for all of it.

"I'd be fine with it." He finishes with a shrug. I'm pleasantly relieved and surprised. "I can't be around you all the time, unless you plan to move to Texas."

"Doubtful. But I'll come visit."

"You better."

I can't help it. I cast another glance at number twenty-eight, still in his hockey gear, giving me looks like he'd fuck me behind the Zamboni if I gave him a nod.

"Hey. Go give Cam another chance."

"You really want us together?" I squint at him trying to make sure he means it.

"I think he's the type of guy that when he has something good, he takes care of it. It might take him a while to realize what he has, but once he does, it's like gold to him. That's the kind of man I'd want in my place for you, sugar, when I can't be here. The guy who will lift you up and treat you like gold."

I sputter, it's all I can do, because the lump in my throat is so huge I barely swallow and my eyes burn with tears forming.

Hayes pulls me in for another bear hug and I relish in it. He kisses my head, too. For so long, I've wanted him back in my life, and he's truly here.

I have Cam to thank for that. I can't believe he'd do this for me, bringing my brother here. With a nod his way, I send him a message where to meet me. We need to talk.