Page 17 of The Way We Win

“Garrett, tell Liv she needs to coach the drill team.” Dylan grabs her brother’s arm.

“Oh, no.” He hugs his little sister, lifting her off her feet. “You’re not roping me into this one. Liv does what she wants.”

Dylan’s bottom lip goes out, and I can’t help a snort. “You really are the original Kimmie Joy.”

“Right?” Garrett gives me a wink. “I’ve been saying that since Jack brought her home.”

He puts an arm around his sister, and she blinks her brown eyes dramatically at Liv, causing her to laugh.

“It’s time you and Logan had a baby,” Liv says. “Then you’d see how much work it is.”

“Gigi can come with you! We’ll get her a little dance costume, and she can be our mascot…” Dylan reaches for my hand. “Allie can help us, since it’s Austin’s senior year. Wouldn’t it be fun to cheer for Jack and Austin and the team?”

She arches her eyebrow at me, and I confess, “It does sound fun. I don’t know squat about dance teams, but I’ll already be at school, and I love the pep rallies.”

“Yay, Allie!” Dylan bounces on her toes. “That’s the spirit.”

“Traitor,” Liv quips at me. “Now I look like the bad guy.”

“Just think about it.” Dylan holds out a hand. “Don’t say no so fast.”

“I’ll think about it,” Liv grumbles, going to where Garrett is walking out with Zane and Rachel.

“While you’re thinking, can I catch a ride home? Austin’s staying with the guys.”

“Of course.” Liv slides a hand in the crook of my arm, leaning into my ear. “Too bad Coach Jack already left.”

I don’t answer—mostly because I’m thinking the same thing. Although, after everything that happened this evening, I’d probably be as awkward and obvious as hell.

As it is, I follow them out, hopping into the backseat of Garrett’s big ole truck and helping Liv get Gigi settled in her car seat.

Country music plays softly on the short drive, and when we stop in my driveway, Garrett gets out to walk me to the door.

“Want me to come in and check the place with you?”

My heart beats a little faster, and I look at the kitchen light I left on when I went to work this morning. “I’ve been using my security alarm.” My tone is tentative. “But… if you don’t mind?”

He smiles, gesturing to the front door. “It’ll only take a second.”

Tapping in the code, we enter my small house. I hate this new feeling of fear creeping up my shoulders every night. I’ve always felt so safe and at home in Newhope, and I hate Rip Sinclair for taking that from me.

“I’m pretty sure he has no idea where I am.” My voice is quiet.

I lead Garrett down the hall, and he looks in Austin’s room, opening his closet door and checking under the bed. We repeat the process in my room and in the bathroom, looking behind the shower curtain.

When we’re satisfied it’s all clear, he returns to the door. “I’d be on everybody’s shit list if I didn’t check. I’d deserve it, too, if something happened.”

“Thanks, Garrett.” I hold the door, giving him a grateful smile.

I wave to Liv then close it again, turning the lock and rearming the security system.

4

Jack

“He’s good.” Logan’s voice is low, and my chest is tight.

We’re standing on the sidelines with our arms crossed, and it’s another hot as hell August day in the south.

---