Page 60 of Houston, We Have a Problem
He snorts a laugh. “Uh, I’ve told about a million people that you’re my brother, and…” He gestures between us as if I haven’t noticed the differences in our complexions: he’s dark where I’m light.
Does he really think of me as a brother? A warmth seeps into my chest at the thought. I reallyshouldwork on my friendship skills. Especially now that I’m probably going to have a lot of free time in my future. Jordan has been with me for half my life, sticking by me even when I got drafted and gained an ego I didn’t need. He deserves better than what I’ve given him.
“Family isn’t what you’re born into, man,” Jordan continues. “It’s what you make it. You should know that better than anyone, with your dad and everything.”
Okay, well, he makes a good point, even if I don’t want to admit it. This means he knows more about my dad than I thought, and suddenly I want to talk to Brook about Dad. I don’t know if she’s talked to Jordan about him, but as far as I can tell, she has clearly figured out how to get past the hurt of being abandoned.
I’m still working on that part.
Okay, I’m starting to see where my trust issues might be stemming from…
“I want to trust Darcy,” I say, resisting the urge to run my hands through my hair because I don’t want to ruin the style I carefully crafted. I may be reluctantly in a tutu, but I refuse to show up as anything but my best. “But if one little thing tripped me up, what happens when I come across something big?”
“You’re talking as if you’re expecting something big to come up,” Jordan counters. “I don’t think that’s healthy.”
Weirdly, this conversation is helping. Maybe just saying it out loud has been good for me. The first step in getting over my issues. “Thanks for putting that delicately.”
“Delicate is my middle name.”
I groan. “Jordanis your middle name, you dork. So… You’re saying I shouldn’t expect things to go south? That everything will be fine?”
“You can never know that for sure. But if you’re always waiting with one foot out the door, what reason is Darcy going to have to expect you to stick around? Trust goes both ways.”
“I think you’re right.”
“I’m always right.”
I punch his arm lightly. “No, I mean, I went to lunch with Tamlin today, and she told me she’s running a story on me coaching Little League.”
Jordan splutters. “On you doingwhat?”
Oh, right. I haven’t told anyone that I coach. Clearly my trust issues are deeper than I thought, and I have a lot to start sharing with my family. “I’ll tell you later. The point is she told me about the story so I can make sure the boys aren’t compromised, and it was easy to think she’ll follow through because she warned me about the story in the first place. She trusted me, and I in turn trusted her. So, you’re right.”
“Beyond the Little League thing, I’m still hung up on the fact that you’re only telling menowthat you went on a date with freaking Tamlin Park. How did that even happen? And why didn’t you tell me?”
Groaning, I pinch the bridge of my nose and pray I don’t end up with a headache after the madness that is this day. “I’m sorry,howlong did it take you to tell me you’re in love with my sister?”
He winces. “Fair point.”
I’m not trying to turn this back on him, and I know why he was so reluctant to tell me about his feelings for Brook. They are the two closest people I have in my life, and they didn’t want to risk that. I don’t like that they kept it from me, but I understand it.
Suddenly I remember a conversation I had with Fischer back at the lodge. He said something about Darcy having a reason to keep things from me. I haven’t thought much about what he said because I didn’t believe him, but now… Maybe he was right all along. I should probably spend more time with my siblings and their significant others. I might have a lot to learn from them.
“Can I tell you about this later?” I ask, feeling restless from all of this uncertainty. “We should probably go get Darcy.”
“As long as you promise to answer all of my burning questions eventually, sure. Don’t think I’m going to drop any of these things.”
“Never crossed my mind. I know you too well.” Or maybe I don’t. But that’s fixable, something I am going to be grateful for, I think. I could use as many good friends as I can get.
I step out the door cautiously, making sure none of my neighbors are out and about to see me looking this ridiculous. I’m so glad Jordan said that Jesse has gone somewhere so I don’t have to imagine his expression, but that does nothing to help my nerves as I cross the porch and knock on Darcy’s door. I could have warned her to save myself the full brunt of her shock, but I think I was hoping I could avoid this embarrassment altogether.
As the door opens, I brace myself for the inevitable humiliation. But all of that fear vanishes the instant I register what she’s wearing.
She’s in uniform.A baseball uniform. And I would recognize the Red-tails red and gold anywhere without seeingthe logo printed on her chest. Her knee-breeches should not be as attractive as they are, nor should the hat holding back her ponytailed curls or the cleats on her feet. It’s the mitt that does me in, tucked under her arm so naturally that it’s like she just came from a game and forgot she has it.
Is she trying to kill me? Because I’m pretty sure she’s sending me right into a heart attack.
“What do you think?” She does a spin, giving me a clear view of the nameBriggson the back, as well as my jersey number, twelve.
