Page 13 of Fumbled Beginning

“You don’t have to leave,” I said, trying not to come across as a pleading idiot.

“You have guests and I’m taking up too much of your time.” She faked a yawn. “Besides, I’m beat and I have work in the morning and Mondays are always the worst.”

She started walking up the dock, and I followed her, keeping a respectful distance. I shouldn’t have been so drawn to her. I shouldn’t have wanted her as badly as I did. Things would never work between us, no matter how badly I wanted them to. My friendship with her brother was too important to me, but that wasn’t the only reason things would never work.

I had nothing to offer her, and a woman like that deserved it all.

CHAPTER4

JP

“Arewe chasing an axe murderer or something?” Rhett panted out, running on the treadmill next to mine. I lowered my pace and wiped the sweat sliding down the back of my neck.

“Just pissed that we’re stuck hitting these machines instead of doing drills outside.”

I preferred the fresh air with the sun beating down on my back, but the weather was shitty outside, so the coach made us do our workout indoors.

“Are you sure that’s the only thing that has you all hot and bothered, big guy?” he teased, taking a long chug of his water bottle.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You and Rylee looked pretty cozy at the end of the dock the other night.”

“Nothing happened. We were just talking.” I hopped off the treadmill and walked over to one of the padded mats in the weight room.

He laughed and followed me. “I also saw you chase off that golfer in the pink shirt on Friday night.”

“What’s your point?” I stretched my right arm out over my head.

His eyes met mine in the mirror. “Something’s going on between you two.”

“No, there’s not.” I switched to my other arm, and he laughed again. “Is something funny?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at the instigator.

“It’s hysterical that you’re trying to act like you’re not into her.”

“I would really appreciate it if you would shut the fuck up.”

“I’m sure you would.” He grinned. “But as your friend, I think we should talk about this and that little ‘almost’ smooch I interrupted.”

I was waiting for him to bring that up. This was the last thing I wanted to get into, but I had a feeling we were going to talk about it anyway. “I think we are way past the middle school years, don’t you agree?”

“I see you’re not denying it.” He smirked.

No, I wasn’t because I was using all my energy to chase away these feelings that were consuming my every waking thought. There was something brewing, even though I tried to deny it. That seed of attraction was growing into something much bigger. Something I couldn’t control. As much as I wanted a chance with her, I couldn’t go there. Hell, I shouldn’t have even been thinking of her.

“It wouldn’t matter how I feel, she’s Mav’s sister and that makes her off-limits to all of us.”

He rolled his lips together. “I mean, yeah, if you were just looking to get in her pants, that would be shitty, but if it’s more than that, then I wouldn’t worry about breaking some bro code. Mav is one of your best friends. He respects you; I don’t think he would have an issue with it.”

I wasn’t so sure about that. If I started something with her and things ended badly, he would have to choose a side. And I wasn’t an idiot. He would choose his sister.

“It would be awkward and I don’t want to risk it.”

“You keep using Mav as an excuse, but I have a feeling there is more to the story and you don’t want anyone to know about it.”

Rhett might have acted like a goofball most of the time, but the guy was also insightful. It was a quality that served him well on the field, but I didn’t need him trying to analyze something I didn’t fully grasp myself.

I grabbed the hand towel and wiped my face. “Let’s drop it, okay?”

---