Page 37 of Something New

Chapter Seventeen

Wyatt got up early and headed out for a run on the beach. While he was stretching, he saw a figure in flowered running gear headed in the opposite direction toward the wildlife sanctuary, the same path Anna had taken on Monday. He debated following her, finishing their conversation, but discarded the thought, needing some time on his own to figure things out. But first, a good hard run would pound out all of his frustrations and hopefully help him see things clearer.

One thought kept prodding at him as he pounded the sand. He had a good life. It might not have been the life he planned or the dreams he had of professional football, but he was making a difference every day in every kid he coached. He saw now that his life might not have turned out exactly the way it was supposed to be, but that was okay. He couldn’t have lived the life Anna had, with the media hounding his every step, rabid fans second-guessing everything he did, no privacy. Oh, it wasn’t as bad for professional sports stars, but for some of them it was, and in Texas, football was king. He might not have escaped the frenzy if he had followed his original path.

So maybe Anna did him a favor.

He stopped just shy of the town of Whitby, hands on his knees, panting. Damn, this was supposed to be a week of fun and celebration for his friends’ wedding, not a time of self-reflection and revelations. Who could have predicted this outcome? He snorted. Clearly Caroline had planned it, designing activities to get her friends back together hoping to make matches at best, resolving past hurts at worst.

Mission accomplished.

Well, far be it from him to disappoint the bride or her plans. He might not know exactly where he and Anna stood, but he knew one thing. He had another chance with Anna and he was a fool if he didn’t take it, or at least see where it could go. Maybe they would end up in exactly the same place—with her in California and him in Texas with his heart broken.

He stared out at the sea; the waves roiling and churning, white-capped and angry. The sky was dark and threatening, and he wondered if he had enough time to get back to the house and help them finish storm preparations there. After that, well, he had plans to enact. Plans for him and Anna and some alone time.

A truck horn honked from the road, and Grady waved. Wyatt jogged over. “What are you doing down this way?”

Grady gestured to the bed of the truck. “Picking up some last-minute supplies for the house windows and for the cottage. I was going to drop them off at the house, then head to the cottage. You want a ride back, or would you rather run?”

Wyatt grinned. “I wouldn’t say no to the ride. I can give Matthew a hand around the house so you can head to the cottage. Also, maybe I can pick your brain on some renovations I’d like to do at my place in Austin.” He jumped in the passenger side and buckled his seat belt.

Grady pulled away and glanced at him. “Where are you and Anna going tonight?”

“Tonight?” Wyatt’s mind blanked for a moment. “Oh, yeah. The girls mentioned they wanted to leave the house for Caroline and Matthew. That reminds me, I wanted to get a room at the hotel. Do you mind?”

It was perfect. He could set some quality alone time with Anna where she couldn’t escape and they could talk for once, with no one to interrupt. Lay all their cards on the table and see if they could start anew. He called the hotel and reserved their last room—coincidentally, a suite that Caroline had set aside for the week. She had freed it up for anyone from the wedding party, but no one came early because of the storm, so it was vacant. He set up a few amenities for their stay and ended the call, settling in his seat with a satisfied smile.

Grady shot him a glance. “Do you know if they had another room available?”

“Aren’t you staying at the cottage?” Wyatt asked.

“Sure, but Brigid needs a place. I wondered if you could give her a ride.” Grady spoke casually, but his hands gripped the wheel tightly, knuckles white.

Wyatt shrugged. “We can bring her over, but I think they’re booked.”

“Thanks. Appreciate it. Now, tell me about your place. Is it historic?”

Wyatt relaxed. “Yeah, it’s a Queen-Anne-inspired house in Hyde Park. I got lucky getting it, because it was so run down. But now, it needs a lot of work, and I’m not much for home renovation.”

Grady nodded. “I usually stay within Houston limits. That gives me plenty of work. But I could come out on a few weekends and give you some pointers and help find a few contractors who would be good for you. We’ll connect after the wedding.” He paused. “If you don’t mind my asking. Why did you buy this house when you don’t do renovations?”

Wyatt sighed. “It’s going to sound stupid. When we all went to UT, Anna loved this house. I thought maybe she’d like to live there someday.”

Grady grunted. “Not stupid. I bought a house with a bunch of bedrooms and a fenced-in yard for a family and a dog. I’m thinking that may not happen.”

Wyatt arched his brow. “Brigid and I were never very close. Jock and brain never seemed to have the same classes or interests. But we have one thing in common. We both had a lot of pressure on us, and that can be difficult to live with. Brigid was always worried about disappointing everyone in her life—her parents, her teachers, her friends. She never thought about what she wanted. You might be something she wants, but she’s not sure how that fits into everyone’s expectations. It’s going to take some time for her to figure that out.”

Grady gave a harsh laugh. “You don’t know how patient I’ve been. Only, I’m not sure she sees me as worth it. Not in her world. But thanks. I appreciate it. Wish I had some advice for you with Anna. All I can say is watch yourself with the hammer and nails today. You don’t want to be injured for your fancy date tonight.”

Grady shot him a grin, and Wyatt flipped him the bird.

* * *

Anna showered after her run, still on edge after her sleepless evening. She would have expected to have slept soundly after great sex but, after the way it ended, it ruined the mood. So, she got up early and tried to run her frustrations off. She headed to the kitchen for a light breakfast, something healthy to balance out the unhealthy food she’d been eating all week, trying to keep to her diet somewhat. She found some fruit and yogurt and curled up on the patio, watching the dark clouds and wind whipping the tall beach grass along the dunes. The waves roared in the distance, a harbinger of the storm on their doorstep. Banging came from the side of the house, interrupting her peaceful morning.

Wyatt and Matthew were boarding up the windows on the beach side, Wyatt holding the wood while Matthew hammered.

Anna grinned. “Smart move, Matthew. I wouldn’t trust Wyatt with tools either.”

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