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Chapter Six

C orie

The house has been quiet the last couple of weeks.

Training camp is in full swing for the Rampage, which means my brother and his friends are too exhausted to do anything beyond practice, eat, and sleep.

Landry drags in every night, eats dinner, showers, and goes to bed.

I’ve been ensuring he has a home-cooked meal when he gets home at the end of the day.

I know how exhausting this is for him, and it’s the least I can do.

He is letting me stay here rent-free, and he’s feeding me.

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.

“I know, but what choice do I have? I can’t just lie around here all day and let you support me.

It’s more than that I want to work, Landry.

I spent four years of college busting my ass.

In the last two years of high school, I did the same to graduate with an associate's degree. I want to work. I love the field I’ve chosen.

I need to work,” I tell him. I know I’m repeating myself, but I don’t know how else to help him understand.

I will forever be grateful for all he’s done for me after Mom passed, but it’s time to pull up my big-girl panties and start taking care of myself.

“These things take time.”

“I don’t have time.” This time, I do stomp my foot like a toddler, but he’s not listening to me.

“This is your home, Landry. Not mine. It’s your food in the refrigerator, your everything.

I have nothing. I need something for me.

” I tap my chest. “I love you for all that you’ve done for me, and letting me crash here until I get on my feet means more to me than you will ever know, but none of this is mine.

” My voice breaks on the last few words as I wave my arms around the room.

“Okay.” He stands and walks around the island, pulling me into a hug. I wrap my arms around him and melt into his embrace. “I’m going to run back to the stadium. I know that Coach is still there. I’ll come back with all the information you need.”

Guilt washes over me. He just got home after, I’m sure, a grueling final day of training camp. “You don’t have to do that. But can you find out for me?”

“I’m going.” He points to the Crock-Pot. “Don’t start that without me.” He kisses the top of my head and pulls out of our embrace. “Be back.” He turns on his heels and walks away.

The door’s closing behind him before I can argue. I hate that I made him feel like he had to go tonight to talk to his coach, but I’m desperate. I also feel bad for going off on him. Grabbing my phone, I text Sloane.

Me: I kind of just had a mental breakdown on my brother.

Sloane: What kind of mental breakdown are we talking about?

Me: There might have been raised voices (mine) and some foot stomping (also mine).

My phone rings immediately, just as I knew it would. “Hey,” I answer.

“What’s going on?” There’s worry in Sloane’s tone.

I exhale a heavy sigh. “Landry came home. It’s the last day of training camp. We were talking, and he told me he heard the Rampage was looking for a new social media director, and it kind of snowballed from there. I threw a fit like a toddler while fighting back tears.”

“And?”

“And Landry left to go back to the stadium. He said he was certain his coach was still there and would see what he could do to get me in the position.”

“That’s a good thing, right?” she asks gently.

“It is, but I acted like a total brat, and I think he’s worried I’m leaving Nashville again because I told him I might have to, and now, if he’s successful, I’ll only get the job because of who my brother is.”

“Take a deep breath,” Sloane says soothingly. “First, I’m sure you were not a brat, and if you were, that’s okay. Landry is your big brother, and he loves you. That’s not your normal behavior, and I’m certain he didn’t think a thing of it. He’s not one to hold grudges.”

“But I feel bad. I know he’s exhausted, and now, he’s headed back to the stadium where he’s practically been living for the last few weeks.”

“He’s doing it because he wants to. He loves you and wants you close. That’s why he left. You scared him.”

“Maybe,” I concede.

“It’s going to be okay, Corie. And as far as getting the job because of who your brother is? Who cares? He’s getting you the opportunity, but it will be up to you to show them how kick-ass you are. Not Landry. They won’t keep you in a position you suck at, no matter who your big brother is.”

“You think so?” I ask as I hear the front door open and a deep voice call out. “Someone’s here. Sounds like one of the guys. Can I call you later?” I ask my best friend.

“Yeah. You want me to come over?”

“I’m good. Thank you for calming me down,” I tell her.

“Anytime, babe. Love you.”

“Love you, too. I’ll call you later.” I end the call and look up to find Knox Beckett standing in the doorway.

His shoulder leans against the doorframe, looking casual and sexy.

His arms are crossed over his chest, showing off his impressive build, and his legs are crossed at the ankles.

I take my time taking him in, until our eyes meet.

He stands and steps toward me. “What’s wrong?”