Twenty-Five

"How'd it go afterwards?"

I take a sip of my ice water, then set the glass down on the table. Joel and Gwen invited me over for dinner when I got back, saying we needed to talk.

"Not great," I say with a sigh. "Archer barely met my eyes all morning. Ignored me for the most part." I steeple my fingers and look at my brother. "Though I think he's more upset with you than me. With me, he's more…irritated, I think. Bothered that he never figured it out on his own."

Leaning forward, Joel runs both hands down his face with a groan. "That's understandable. He was lied to."

Gwen clears her throat. "Do you really think he'll keep it to himself?"

"If Joel shows up at the next practice, yeah," I say. "Archer's not one to go back on his word. I've at least learned that in my short time with the Dragons."

I meet Joel's eyes, thinking over my next words. "Honestly, even if Chantelle and I hadn't been found out, I would've told you that it was time to end it. It's been exhausting for me."

Joel's expression softens the slightest bit. "I know, man. I know." He sits back, pushing out a sigh. "You were a great brother to do this for us, though. Hope you know that."

Holding his gaze, I let our family motto roll off my tongue. "Family comes first."

"I think it"ll be okay, Joel," Gwen says, "The physical therapy has really been helping your wrist. If you just take it easy this week, maybe explain to Coach that you've hurt it, by next week it should be fully healed. I don't think you're still at risk of losing the eye of the scouts. We've taken a sufficient amount of time to rest it…at least," she shrugs, "I hope we have."

Joel studies his wife, then nods. "If you think so."

"It's better than losing your entire career over a lie," I add.

Joel pins me with a stare. "Were you ever going to tell me about Chantelle?"

I rub my neck and tease, "Sheesh, bro. Think I just got whiplash from your sudden subject change."

"Well?" Gwen chimes. "Were you?"

I chuckle and shake my head. "I don't know. Things with her are still new, and I knew if I told you guys about my feelings for her, you'd tell me to back off. It obviously complicated things."

"True," Gwen says. "But it's also adorable. I love Chantelle. I can't believe I never thought to set you guys up sooner."

"It's all right," I assure her. "We're together now and…I'm kind of crazy about her."

Joel scoffs. "Clearly. Archer found you guys making out like teenagers in the back of Ronnie's Jeep for Pete's sake. Ever heard of a little thing called self-control?"

I roll my eyes and stand. "Yeah, you're one to talk. Don't make me remind you of all the times I found you and Gwen in your truck—"

"That's enough!" she chirps, hands held in between us. "What Joel means to say, Jude, is that we're happy for you and Chantelle. Let's have you guys over some night to eat and play games. Sound fun?"

"It does." Before I head out, I give Gwen a squeeze and thank her for being so amazing through all this. Then I remind her she still needs to name the baby after me. She giggles and we separate when Joel snaps his fingers.

"All right, break it up. You're not allowed to hug your pretend wife when her real husband is present."

Gwen sidles up next to him and pecks his cheek. "You've got nothing to worry about. He's in love with your coach's daughter, and I am crazy about you."

The way he looks down at her has me turning and starting for the door.

"Glad we had this talk," I call over my shoulder. "See you two later." Gwen's muffled goodbye is all I hear as I saunter out the door. And I don't even bother to correct her assumption that I'm in love with Chantelle. Because right now, I feel freer and more content than I have in weeks.