Chapter 6

GABRIEL

He knows. Kendrick knows how I feel about his sister. The question is, how long has he known?

Just as soon as those words popped out of his mouth, I froze, and he saw it. He knew I’d recognize them. I said those exact same words to him the night we decided to enter the NFL draft.

He said it to get my attention. He said it to tell me to get my head out of my ass and figure it out, fast. He wants me to admit it. He wants me to talk to him, man-to-man, about Whitley. I can understand that. The question is, can I do it?

Kendrick was so angry earlier in the locker room. Everyone was talking about how beautiful Whitley was, and how to get Kendrick’s permission to ask her out. Some even said she was an adult; she didn’t need his permission. Others said she may not need it, but he was her brother and his opinion mattered to her. Kendrick couldn’t take it anymore. He shouted that nobody was to go near her, or they’d have their face smashed in.

By that time, the head coach walked in and, of course, had to have his say. He was pissed that a bunch of professionals couldn’t keep it in their pants for one damn day to show a nice lady what a professional practice looks like without trying to hump her leg like a bunch of damn dogs.

He told Kendrick that Whit was welcome back anytime, and if anyone gave her problems, they would regret the day they were born and sit out a whole game.

As he was walking out, I dropped my towel to get dressed. Coach laughed out loud. It made everyone, including myself, jump.

“I guess Whitley was right, son. Some men have all the luck. Keep her satisfied, my boy,” he said, slapping me on the back.

Everyone looked at me as I got dressed. I just shrugged my shoulders.

“What? She said I had an impressive cock this morning.”

Next thing I know, I’m running to catch up with Kendrick in the tunnel who’s pulling Whitley faster than she can walk. She almost fell. I caught her by the skin of her teeth and gave Kendrick a death glare.

He calmed down some after that. He’d never do anything to hurt her. They had a conversation that needed to happen. Now, the question still remains. What the hell do I do now?

***

I find Kendrick on the back patio by the pool. I hand him a beer and take a seat next to him.

“Hey, man. Rough day back?”

“Yeah.”

“You all right?”

“Yep. Where’s Whitley?”

“Gone to bed already. She said today was emotionally exhausting.”

He nods his head.

“Maybe her coming out here wasn’t such a good idea. I’m not doing anything but causing her stress.”

“What? She loves being around you. You’re her brother.”

“It’s hard for me to deal with her finding someone that could possibly hurt her. She’s been through too much already.”

“Ya know, she doesn’t need another dad. She just wants her big brother.”

“That’s the problem. How can I distinguish between the two? I don’t want her hurt.”

We’re quiet for a moment, and I swallow my fear.

“How long have you known?” I ask.

He looks over.

“Since the night of the attack. I walked in and you were talking to her while she was still unconscious. You were telling her that you’ve always had to hide your feelings about her because of me. That you wish, one day, you could cherish her like the treasure she truly is.”

“Why didn’t you say anything? Kick my ass or something?”

“Because my best friend is in love with my sister? I couldn’t ask for someone better. The one person I trust with my own life, I also trust with hers. You just had to find your own way first.”

“I hate it when you get all psychological on me.”

“It’s the truth, and I do have a degree in psychology, thank you,” Kendrick says. “Besides, it wasn’t time yet. I knew it was time when you started slowing down on the partying and the girls. Hell, you couldn’t even remember their names because there was only one name worth remembering.”

I just nod because he’s right. Best friends do that. They know you better than you know yourself sometimes.

“What if she doesn’t feel the same way?” I ask.

“See. That right there also lets me know it’s time. You’re more worried about her feelings than your own. Especially today, when she almost fell. You protected her in a split second and gave me such a killer look that I knew, right then and there, it was time. That’s why I said what I said. I knew you’d recognize it. Give her time, Gabriel. Whitley needs you more than she even knows.”

“Shit. She leaves for New York in a couple months.”

“Not if I can help it. I’m hoping to talk her into staying.”

“You think she will?”

“I think between her brother and a certain, charming guy, we have a pretty good chance at changing her mind.”

I walk up the stairs to head to bed. I stop and open Whitley’s door to check on her. She’s lying on her side, her eyes closed, and her breathing even. I walk over and kiss her on the forehead.

“One day, beautiful. It’s just going to be me and you. Don’t worry, I got big brother’s permission.”