Page 7 of Pick Me

“Thea. Jackson. I have to leave in five minutes, otherwise we’re going to miss our flight. Maybe I should stay here. I’ve seen the Crossbill facilities before. There’s no need to go back.”

Tanner’s jaw clenched, so I strolled over to him and gave him another hug. My brother had given up a lot for me, but I wouldn’t let him give up this opportunity.

“I’ll be fine, baby bro. Just enjoy meeting the owner of your new team and spending time with your girlfriend.” I winked in reference to Aster. They’d been dating for a little over a year, and to say my brother was obsessed would be an understatement. He was smitten with her, and I could understand why. She was strong, determined, and intelligent. Everything he needed when entering a ruthless sports industry. She grounded him, so I wasn’t surprised when he showed me our grandmother’s ring and asked if I’d let him give it to Aster since it was technically handed down to me.

Of course, I said yes, and I might’ve also done a little jig of approval. Tanner was clear with me, though. He wasn’t going to ask her her to marry him until he was on his new team for at least a year, which immediately dampened my mood.

I tried to convince him to do it sooner, pointing out how well it worked out for Matty and Britt, but he waved me off, saying they were still too young and Aster needed to finish her master’s first.

“It’s not my new team,” Tanner replied. Even Jackson snorted at the comment.

“You’re kidding, right?” Jackson asked.

“We don’t know that for sure, and I’d rather not jinx my chances.”

Seriously, could my brother be any humbler about his abilities? Throughout high school, he had NFL teams watching him play.Chally Sportshadn’t shut up about him since he was seventeen, and yet he still didn’t believe he’d get the first pick of the draft. It was ridiculous.

“Please. The draft is in three weeks. All the sports networks are talking about you. You’ve got this in the bag,” Jackson said.

“They still might go with someone else. There’s that tight end at St. Michael’s who’s making waves.”

“That dude’s got nothing on you,” Jackson stated. “If you can’t be confident in yourself, what chance do the rest of us have?”

Oh, did I feel that statement down to my toes. It was hard being the older sister—albeit two minutes—of a guy who was famous before leaving high school. The expectations people had didn’t stop with him. I was expected to be just as talented, and although my breakdancing could rival Australia’s entry at the Olympics, it wasn’t what would make me famous.

Nothing would.

I was remarkably unremarkable. My life was what it was. We couldn’t all be potential multimillion-dollar athletes, and after a long and agonizing stint on the ladies’ golf team, I’d come to terms with that.

Tanner’s phone dinged. “That’s Aster. I’m going to be late.” He looked at me with one final plea as he picked up his bag and hauled it over his shoulder. “Please don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone.”

“I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“If you need anything, just call. I’m only a few hours away.”

“Sure thing.” I gave my brother a salute before ushering him out of the door. “Now, get out of here before Aster starts to worry that you’re leaving her.”

He gave me a slanted smile. “She knows there’s no chance of that happening.”

Tanner raised his hand and waved at Jackson. “See you later, J. Look out for my sister, won’t you?”

“Ugh,” I growled, pushing my brother through the apartment door. “Just go already.”

After one more goodbye, I dramatically shut the door and stared at the wood for longer than some might deem necessary.

It wasn’t like I was missing out on anything behind me. Just Jackson and his stupid hat.

Chapter Two

Jackson

“He treats you like a three-year-old,” I said from my vantage point in the kitchen, chewing the last of the grapes.

When she turned around, her dark eyes narrowed on the final grape in my hand. “I wanted those for my snack tomorrow.” Her voice was low and threatening. Too bad she was about as scary as the mouse tattoo on my ass.

Smiling, I popped the final grape into my mouth. “You should know food doesn’t last long in this apartment.”

Her fists clenched, she took a few steps, then stopped and took a deep breath.Drama. Drama. Drama.Thea was the most dramatic woman I’d ever met, and I loved finding new ways to get it out of her.

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