Page 49 of Second Goal

He turns, those blue eyes, the same color as my own, study me. “Brynne told me what you said, about you thinking I hate you.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “And I get why you think that. I’ve been hard on you since we met.” He shakes his head and exhales.

“I understand why.”

“I don’t think you do. It’s just...” His expression tightens. “You just look so much like our mother.”

And I’ve disappointed him just as much.

“I hated her for a long time for not being what I needed,” he says. “I’d thought I got over it. Until I saw you. God, the first time I saw your face, I felt like I was eight years old again.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” He frowns, turning fully to me. “Being born to a woman who was too fucked up to take care of you? Or are you sorry that you got thrown into a broken system that failed you?” He rubs the back of his neck and sits down beside me. “Look, I’m not always easy to get along with. But I care about you, Kiley. And I’m going to do everything I can to help you.”

He takes my hand, and I think it might be the first time he’s ever shown any real affection. It surprises me, and I suck in a breath.

“You’re family,” he says. “No matter how much of an ass I can be, that never changes.”

Tears build in my eyes and I swear something cracks in my chest. It hurts, but in a good way. Like maybe a piece of me is healing. I wrap my arms around my brother’s neck, no doubt shocking us both. He hesitates slightly, then hugs me back.

Someone coughs and when I pull away, both Brynne and Blake are watching us, small smiles playing on their lips.

I swipe at the tears on my cheek.

Kane stands, clearing his throat. “So what do we do now?”

“I called my lawyer and I have someone looking into the police reports,” Blake says.

Kane starts to talk again, but their words feel muffled. And when Brynne sits beside me, placing a hand around my shoulders, I lean into her hug.

“I’m sorry I brought you into this.”

“I just wish you would have told us sooner, so we could have helped you.” Brynne gives me a soft smile, eyes full of acceptance and love. I still don’t think I deserve either, but I accept it, needing it now more than ever. “And we’ll help your friend any way we can.”

“Thank you.” I squeeze her hand. “But I don’t know if Amy even wants my help. The way she looked at me...” For the longest time, she was the closest thing to family I had. But it was like talking to a stranger yesterday.

“Our plane leaves in a few hours,” Blake says, taking my hands and helping me stand. I’d almost forgotten that they have an away game tomorrow. “Hate leaving you right now. I don’t want you being alone.”

“You can stay with me if you want,” Brynne says.

“I’ll be fine. I’m only a few floors down, and I have Pax and Lady to keep me company.”

Blake’s lips thin. “I don’t want you leaving the building.”

I start to argue, but Kane interrupts me, “Blake’s right, Kiley. This Cruz guy is obviously capable of anything. I understand why you don’t want to press charges against the bastard right now. But—”

“I’ll be fine,” I repeat.

All three of them keep watching me, and I can see the uncertainty in their eyes. And even as we leave Kane and Brynne’s apartment, I can feel the tension radiating off of Blake.

“I know you’re upset that I told them,” he says when we’re back at his place. “But Kane needed to know.”

“I’m not angry.” And I’m not. “In a way, I’m kind of relieved.” I shrug. “Even if it means going to jail—”

“I’m not going to let that happen.” He cups my face, gray eyes searching mine. “I promise you. I’ll protect you, no matter what.”

There’s a fierceness to his words that fill me with a sense of hope. Confidence.Love.

But even though I know I still have to face what I did, I feel like it won’t be as impossible to get through now.

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