Page 79 of Tight End

The hairs on the back of my neck spring up, and somehow, some way, I know Davis is close.

And smiling.

“So I heard you didn’t get fired.”

I jump and twist around. “Lane, what are you doing here? I figured you’d gone back to LA.”

He folds his arms over his Black Sabbath t-shirt, his stubbled jaw tight. “And let other people decide the future of Sin City? Are you fucking nuts?”

“Well, from what I heard, you already decided.” I smirk. “Right?”

Lane drops his arms and sticks his hands into his jeans pockets, pacing back and forth in front of the windows. “Dak and Aiden are pissed. And they have a right to be.”

“You’re not?” I run one finger down the front of the clear glass.

“I’m fucking livid with you, bro. Mainly because that’s how I think of you—like my brother—and to know you don’t feel the same way hurts.”

I lean my head against the glass. “I fucked up so badly. I said shit I didn’t mean. I did shit that was bad for the band. Bad for our friendship. I’m a mess and I know it. But I’m trying to make myself better. And I need my family for support.”

“You always had us,” Lane says, his brows knitted together. “Especially me. But you pushed away so hard for so long. The guys felt like you were rejecting their help. And I felt like I was losing my brother. You can’t apologize in one breath and just hope it all gets better. It takes work, man.”

“I don’t expect it to be that easy,” I say.

“Oh, trust me. There’s gonna be a lot of work for you to do.A lot of groveling drinks to buy. A new drum set. Maybe even a new car.” Lane grins and holds out his hand.

I pull him in for a hug and clap him hard on the back.

“I’m sorry. And not just because I don’t want you guys to kick my ass to the curb.”

He chuckles. “Aiden and Dak will be harder sells than me. They’re gonna want a lot more out of you, too. This whole meltdown two years in the making is gonna be hella expensive for you.”

“Fuck, it’s only money. I just want my family back.”

Lane nods, his smile fading. “Is that all you want, B?”

I shrug and look back at the Bay.

“Because I heard from Bryce that Jack was all over Sam at the hospital and has been by his side nonstop.”

“They have a history. And if Jack has anything to say about it, they’ll have a future, too,” I say through the lump lodged in my throat.

“But what if that’s not what Sam wants?”

I turn to look at Lane. “It’s what he needs. Everyone knows it. Jack’s the safer choice for him.”

“I think you’re wrong. I think Jack is clinging hard because he’s scared of losing.” He steps closer, a knowing glimmer in his eyes. “Scared that what Sam really wants isn’t him but…you.”

Chapter 29

Sam

“What the hell are you doing driving that truck?”

I twist my neck since my body doesn’t move so fast, especially when I’m on crutches.

Brixton grins and it’s so disarming that one of the crutches slips out from under me. I grab for it but it crashes to the ground before I can get to it.

“Don’t even try it,” Brixton calls out as he jogs over. He bends to pick it up and hands it to me. “Why didn’t you get Jack to take you?”

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