Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
I’m adding mozzarella cheese to the Crock-Pot dinner I made today when the front door opens. He’s a little earlier than usual. I hope that’s a good thing and that he didn’t get hurt. I know my mind shouldn’t go there, but he’s the only blood family I have left, and I worry about him. I’m rushing to finish what I’m doing as he enters the kitchen. “Hey, everything okay?”
“Yep. It’s done.” He flashes me a cheesy grin and falls into one of the stools at the kitchen island.
“You survived,” I tell him with a smile.
“I did, and whatever that is”—he nods toward the Crock-Pot—“how long until I can have some? It smells damn good.”
“It just needs about fifteen more minutes for the cheese I just added to melt.”
“Thanks, Corie. You’ve taken good care of me, not just during training camp, but since you’ve been home.”
“Nothing your housekeeper doesn’t do when I’m not here,” I remind him.
“It’s not the same as having family here. I don’t know if I’ve told you this, little sister, but I’m really fucking glad you’re home.”
Tears burn my eyes. “It’s good to be here.” I don’t tell him that I don’t feel like I have a home, not really. Sure, all my things from my childhood are in my bedroom upstairs, but it’s not the same. I don’t have the memories or the connections to this place. I’m a visitor in my brother’s home, but I missed him so much.
“You know you don’t have to cook for me every night, right?” Landry asks.
“You just told me you were thankful that I was.” I laugh, shaking my head. “Was that the hunger talking?” I tease.
“Maybe.” He smirks. “I do appreciate all you’ve done during training camp. It’s not the same when it’s not family, but I don’t expect it from you.”
“I know, but what else am I supposed to do?”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” His eyes light up. “I heard through the grapevine that the Rampage is looking for a new social media director.”
My heart stalls in my chest and then starts again, beating a frantic rhythm. “What?”
He nods. “Yeah, I’ll talk to Coach Warner tomorrow and see if he has any pull and who you need to talk to.”
“How did you find out?”
“Harry told me.”
“Should I know who Harry is?” I know the Rampage has several members on the coaching roster, so maybe he’s a coach? I try to remember if I’ve ever heard him talk about a Harry.
“Harry’s my boy.” Landry nods like that’s explanation enough.
“That doesn’t tell me anything, Landry.” I almost stomp my foot on the floor like a toddler. I’ve been stressing over a job for weeks. Weeks of applying and hearing nothing. Weeks of worrying that I would have to move away from my only family. Then my big brother drops a bomb. He might have a job for me, from his bro Harry. I don't know what deserves a foot stomp if that doesn’t.
“He’s my bro, and he gets all the good information at the stadium. We’re buds, so he passes it along to me. That’s how I found out Nancy was sleeping with Mike.”
“Who are Nancy and Mike? Wait, never mind. Landry. Focus. Who is Harry, and how does he know?”
“Harry is the head of maintenance. He’s in all areas of the stadium, and no one ever pays attention to him. He’s a wealth of knowledge, that one.”
“Is he right? I mean, is his information usually accurate?” I ask him.
“Yep.”
“Can you call your coach?” I ask nervously. I’m chewing on my bottom lip, and I can taste the metallic flavor of blood. I can’t believe those words just came out of my mouth. I’ve been preaching that Landry needs to stop taking care of me, and here I am, leaning into nepotism. That’s how desperate I am to find a position and start making my own way. Landry has done so much for me, including covering what my scholarship didn’t. I know it’s wrong of me to ask, but I really want this. I need this.
“Wait. Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Landry asks.
Again, the tears make their appearance, but I blink them back. “Landry, I’ve been stressing over finding a job since graduation. Hell, before graduation, if I’m being honest. I was giving it until Monday before starting to look outside of Nashville.” I pause to steady my breathing. “I love you for everything you have done for me, but I really want to start taking care of myself. You paid for college, bought me a car, sent me care packages monthly, and now, I’m living here rent-free, free-loading off you. I really need this,” I say, wiping at my tears.
“Whoa, hold up. Outside of Nashville? Corie, I just got you back. You can’t leave again. I hated every day you were in Cincinnati.” His brow furrows, as if he’s trying to figure out how he can make me stay.