Page 11

Chapter 11

Carter

F rom the moment I got in the truck, the tension was suffocating—mostly between Chase and Blake.

With Max in the truck, there was no need for the headphones. Blake and Chase weren’t going to be having their conversation. When I turned on my phone, I was happy to see that Ginny had messaged.

Unknown: Hey Carter, it’s Ginny. This is my new number. We need to talk. You’re right. We need to fix Blake and Chase. When can we meet? We just have to make sure my dad and Antony don’t find out.

It isn’t exactly a confession of love, but it’s progress. Not only do I have her number now, but she is ready to take the next step in our plan. The one we haven't been able to finalize because her overbearing partner and father showed up early, interrupting us. While they practiced, I’d distracted myself by working on some shots, all the while mesmerized by how effortlessly amazing she was.

Me: Hey Ginny. Just got out of practice. I agree.

Me: Want to get together to figure out a plan to make sure it happens?

It’s crickets. Nothing. No jumping little circle to tell me she’s replying.

I look over at Blake, who’s barely holding it together, clenching his jaw as he listens to Max go on and on about a club they’re going to. His face turns redder with each word that comes out of Max’s mouth. I could try to distract him from his thoughts. But I don’t. The drama between him and Chase is exhausting. Instead, I open the text thread with my mom to find out how her trip was. They got home yesterday and I haven’t called her yet. Surprisingly, she hasn’t even messaged me. Not the norm for her, so she must’ve had a blast.

Me: Mom, how was the trip? You’ve been home for 24 hours and haven’t messaged yet.

Me: Are you okay?

She must’ve had the phone near her, because the dancing bubbles I wanted so badly to see when I was messaging Ginny appear.

Mom: It was amazing. So relaxing. I’m sorry, we’ve just been so busy unpacking and answering messages and such that we haven’t even had a chance to breathe.

Mom: We’re thinking about making it a yearly trip. You boys have gotten older and since we don’t have grandkids yet it’s the perfect time.

What?

No more Christmas? Sure, the trip to the mountains was great, but Chase and I both agreed we missed the holidays with Mom and Dad—the little traditions you don’t realize you treasure until they’re gone. Decorating the tree. Eggnog by the fire while Dad read A Christmas Carol . Matching pajamas that we swore we hated but secretly loved.

A lump forms in my throat as my thoughts spiral. Soon, I wouldn’t see Chase every day. We’d been a package deal since birth—brothers, best friends, inseparable. The idea of us going our separate ways after graduation makes my chest tighten painfully.

It makes me feel kind of like a sap. But my family’s great and I enjoy being with them. My mind wanders to what it would be like to have Ginny there as part of it. My parents would love her, especially Mom, after she got over the shock of us all being together.

Mom: How was your trip?

Mom: Did the three of you have fun? How’s school? Practice?

I can’t help but laugh at how quickly she can change topics.

Me: Practice is killer but great. Chase is good. Blake is Blake.

Mom: Are the three of you coming home over Easter? Will there be a girlfriend coming with you or Chase? Maybe a boy or girlfriend for Blake? The three of you need to be settling down especially before you go pro.

Shit! I forgot we always get together at Easter and Blake is always there since he’s part of the family. But if this issue with him and Chase doesn’t get resolved, then it’s going to be a very tense dinner.

Me: Yeah. You know nothing will keep us away. I love you Mom, but I GTG, we’re heading out for dinner.

I click out of the thread, and pray she doesn’t video call so she can talk with us. The phone vibrates and I glance down quickly, seeing the notification is from her. A simple I love you back.

The truck starts to slow and I look up, but Blake’s building wasn’t what I was expecting to see, and by the look on Blake’s face, neither was he.

He looks over at me, catching my attention before mouthing, “What the hell?”

I shrug my shoulders. Not sure how to answer. Chase is in hurt mode right now and he’s keeping a gate firmly locked around his heart in an attempt to protect himself.

Watching Blake get out of the truck and the heartbroken look on his face leaves me at a loss for words. Chase didn’t even bother to look over his shoulder at him, or even say a simple goodbye. But I caught it. If I had blinked, or not glanced over at that particular moment, I would’ve missed Chase’s eyes in the rearview mirror, locked on Blake.

He still cares. I can feel it. There’s no way Chase would let go of years of longing for Blake so easily. But what does he want? Is he hoping for a fight? A massive grand gesture from Blake to let him know he truly wants to be with him after rejecting him so harshly? Or did Blake’s rejection carve a wound too deep for Chase to ignore, leaving him quietly crumbling under its weight as he tries to find himself again?

We’re back on the road before I can finish my thoughts, let alone answer the questions swirling around in my head. The truck hums beneath us as Chase and Max slip back into their conversation. Or rather, Max talks while Chase remains unusually quiet. When he does respond, his statements are short, his tone restrained, as though he’s holding something back—almost as if he’s a flood threatening to break through a fragile dam.

My phone buzzes in my hand, a sharp vibration that causes me to jump in surprise. I glance down, and a rush of warmth spreads through me like a sunrise breaking over the ocean. A huge smile lights up my face when I see her name: Ginny.

Finally! She messaged back.

I want to get my brother back with the man who should be his boyfriend, I also want the group we were in the Poconos. I want the three of us, my best friends, my brothers both by blood and choice to be with Ginny. We were perfection together as a unit, each of us beating as one, and we can be that again. We need to be that.

I swipe open the thread, my fingers trembling slightly with anticipation. I lean forward, bringing my face closer to the screen as I shift in my seat, eager to absorb every word she’s written. For a moment, everything else fades away, replaced by the thrill of reconnecting with her. My breath catches, the world narrowing to this one fragile moment—Ginny’s words waiting just beyond the screen, and maybe a chance to get closer.

It’s a race, but one I plan to be the tortoise in. It’s slow and steady that’s going to bring us all together.

Ginny: Duh, genius, I knew you were at practice.

God, I love how she can be so fucking cute while being a smartass.

Me: So operation repair Blake and Chase. It’s on.

Ginny: Like Donkey Kong.

Me: Um, are you sure you’re not some kid from the 80’s? I know about that game because my parents still have the dinosaur game system you play it on and love to bring it out.

Ginny: My dad had it too until it broke. When do you want to meet to make a plan? I think we need to put it into action sooner rather than later.

Me: You’re kidding me, Coach is a gamer!?

Ginny: Was.

Me: And I’m free tonight. Want to get something to eat?

Ginny: Okay. But we can’t be seen together.

Me: My place. Chase is going out to a club with a teammate. He’ll have the truck. Do you have a car? If not I can get you a Lyft over.

Ginny: Got a car. Message me the address. What time is Chase leaving?

Me: Let's meet at 8. I’ll order some tacos.

She shoots me a thumbs up and I make sure to send her my address. I even tell her to message when she arrives and I’ll come out and meet her.

I’m so lost in messaging with Ginny that it catches me off guard when we pull up in front of Max’s dorm.

“I’ll be back to get you at seven.”

“Sounds good. See you later Chase. Bye Carter.” I open the door and get out, giving a friendly see ya later, before getting into the passenger seat. I hold my question until we pull away, not once taking my eyes off of Chase.

“What?” he barks before I even utter a word.

“Are you sure you’re just friends, because that almost sounded like two people talking about having their first date?” I give him a stern glare as I wait for his answer. If the answer is yes, then it looks like I’m going to end it before it begins. Chase belongs with Blake and Ginny. Not Max.

He rolls his eyes before groaning. “There's nothing going on. He’s just a fucking friend. A teammate. We’re hanging out. Nothing more.” He grips the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles go white.

I know he’s pissed and as much as I want to push him for more answers, to know why he’s even entertaining this not-a-date that very much is one, I decide to keep my mouth shut.

The longer I’m quiet, the more time I have to stew about it. I bite my tongue until I can’t anymore.

“So, are you going to dinner and then the club? What time are you coming home? Are you going to crash at his dorm?” I ask.

“What’s with the third degree?” His brows furrow together as he taps his fingers on the steering wheel.

“Just curious.” I turn my head and stare out the window, the music from the radio filling the space as I think about my date tonight. Well, she doesn’t know it’s one, but I plan to fully mix some pleasure with business.