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Chapter Seven

K nox

I didn’t think about the consequences. I just reacted to Corie’s tears. Seeing her upset twisted something in my gut, and all I wanted to do was fix it. I wanted to make her smile, and I did that. That’s all I cared about.

I wasn’t thinking about myself, which is why now that Landry is back and we’re sitting down to eat, the panic is starting to set in.

I just set her up to work for the Rampage.

Not just a position where I might see her in passing here and there.

No, this is the social media department, and they work closely with the players.

We are their biggest asset in their jobs.

Not only that, but I’m the number one-ranked quarterback in the league.

I’m not being cocky when I say I’m a hot commodity right now.

I try to stay humble. I don’t forget where I came from or what’s important, but the numbers don’t lie.

That means if Corie gets the job, I’ll be seeing her.

A lot of her. I already think about her way more than I should, and I’ve proven with every interaction that I can’t keep my damn hands off her.

I just made things harder on myself.

“That was so damn good,” Landry says, pushing his plate away from the table.

“Thanks for cooking, Corie.” I smile at her, and she returns the gesture. Her green eyes are now shining bright, not a hint of sadness, as they should be.

“I don’t mind it. It’s nice not to have to cook for one.”

“That’s why you need to stay here,” Landry tells her.

“Are you moving out?” I don’t like the idea of not seeing her when I stop over to visit. She’s been home from college for two months, and I’m already used to seeing her here. Two months ago, I rarely thought of Landry's sister, just when he would talk about her. Now, it seems I can’t stop.

“Not tomorrow, but when I get a job, I plan to find my own place. I can’t lean on my big brother for the rest of my life.”

“We’re family,” Landry tells her.

“I know that.” Corie reaches over and places her hand on his. “I love you for the offer, but I have to be able to stand on my own two feet, Landry.”

“You’ve been doing that the last four years. I just got you back.”

“You covered what my scholarships didn’t.

You bought me a car when I graduated and sent me care packages, mostly gift cards, every month at college.

That’s four years of spoiling me. You’ve supported me since we lost Mom, and that’s not your job.

Your job is to be my brother, annoy me, and listen to me cry when my heart breaks. ”

I sit up straighter when she says that. Who broke her fucking heart?

“Who is he?” Landry asks, his tone serious.

Glad to see we’re on the same page with some faceless asshole hurting her in any way.

“I didn’t know that fuckwad you were dating broke your heart.

Was it him? You said it was nothing.” He looks as if he’s ready to throw hands, and I’d be right there beside him.

“It wasn’t him. He didn’t break my heart. He might have skewed my trust in men, but he didn’t break my heart. That man doesn’t exist, but it’s inevitable, right? We all get our hearts broken at some point in our lives.”

“Not if you don’t settle,” Landry tells her. “You hold out until you find someone perfect for you.”

“Is that what you’re doing?” Corie raises a questioning eyebrow.

“We’re not talking about me,” Landry fires back.

“Maybe we should be,” Corie tells him. She angles her body so that she can see him better. “I know it’s hard for you to meet someone who is genuine, being in the spotlight and having all those zeros in your bank account, but I would like to be an aunt one day.”

Landry leans over and pulls her into a hug. “I love you, little sister. One day, I’ll find her. When I do, I promise to give you lots of nieces and nephews.”

“Knox, you heard him, right? Wait, maybe I should get my phone and record you—no take backs,” Corie teases.

I nod as I process everything she just said. He didn’t break her heart, just her trust in men. I could fix that. I could show her we’re not all cheating assholes. If she were ever mine, I’d make damn sure her trust in me was there, and no way in hell would I ever cheat on her.

“I didn’t say next week.” Landry starts to backpedal. “But if there is ever a woman who knocks me on my ass, I’ll wife her up and give you all the nieces and nephews.”

“What exactly does a woman knocking you on your ass consist of?” Corie asks.

Landry shrugs. “I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it.”

“I call bullshit,” Corie taunts. “Tell me.”

“I guess I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about her.

Usually, with women, we spend some time together, nothing serious, and she’s on her way.

I don’t miss her, I don’t think about her, and that’s that.

So, I’m guessing that the first woman who makes me miss her, and if I can’t stop thinking about her, I’ll know she’s different. ”

Corie’s nodding as I mull over his explanation. My eyes scan to Corie, and I go through the list. I think about her all the time. Do I miss her when she’s not around? I guess the answer to that would be yes, since I’ve been thinking about her more than I should.

No.

Nope.

That’s not happening.

She’s off-limits, and I need to stop letting my mind wander to a time when that’s not the case.

You don’t hit on your best friend’s little sister.

That’s like best friend rule number one.

I know this. Everyone fucking knows this.

It’s time to get my shit together and stop making excuses to spend time here.

I went through all of training camp and didn’t see her, so when Landry said to come over to chill tonight, I all but jumped at the chance to be in her orbit. That stops now.

No more.

“Thanks for dinner,” I say, standing and pushing back from the table. “I’m beat, so I’m going to head home.” I pick up my plate and carry it to the kitchen.

“I can get that. Go on home and get some rest,” Corie says, grabbing her and Landry’s empty plates.

“You cooked, so I’ll help clean up. My mom would ream my ass if she heard I didn’t help clean up.” I quickly rinse off my plate and place it in the dishwasher, then take the rest of them from her and do the same.

“She sounds nice,” Corie says, working to put away the leftovers.

There’s a sadness in her voice, and now, I’m mentally kicking my own ass for upsetting her. I know she misses her mother. They both do. “She’d be proud of you.”

She stops to turn to face me. “Who?”

“Your mom. She’d be proud of both of you.

” I thought saying that was the right thing, but more tears well in her eyes, just like earlier, and the panic is back.

The need to stop them sits heavy on my chest. “I’m sorry.

Please don’t cry.” I don’t know what to do this time.

I want to pull her into my arms and hold her, letting her know I’m here, but that’s wrong.

I’m not allowed to touch her.

Landry walks into the room and sees her. He glares at me before rushing to her side. “What’s wrong? Why are you upset?” He pulls her into his arms, and she snuggles into his embrace. I shove my hands into my pockets because he’s doing what I want to do, what I can’t do. “What did you say to her?”

I open my mouth to tell him, but Corie beats me to it. “He didn’t say anything wrong. He mentioned his mom and then told me ours would be proud of us. Both of us,” Corie points out.

Landry’s shoulders relax. “He’s not wrong. You know she’s up there cheering us on. Dad, too,” he adds.

“Probably.” Corie sniffs.

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” I speak up. My voice is gritty and rough.

“It’s not you, Knox,” Corie assures me. “I just miss her. Some days, it hits me harder than others.”

She steps out of her brother's embrace and slowly steps toward me. It’s not until she’s standing right in front of me, with her arms open, that I pull my hands from my pockets and return her hug.

Looking up, I find Landry watching us. I can’t read his expression, and I quickly look away, scared that he can read mine. Can he see that having her in my arms like this feels right? Can he tell that I’m having a hard time releasing her?

Knowing the hug has lasted long enough, I drop my arms, and she steps back, out of reach. Too far.

“Thanks again for dinner. Reynolds.” I nod at Landry. “We still on for poker tomorrow night?” I ask him.

“I think you mean, am I ready to take all your money? The answer to that is a hell yes.”

“Here?” Corie asks.

“Yeah, unless you have something going on. One of the guys can host it.”

“We can have it at my place,” I offer. I’m bummed that I won’t get to see her, but I know it’s best if I keep my distance until this—whatever this is that’s sparking between us—fizzles out.

“No, it’s fine. It’s your house. I was just going to offer to make snacks.”

“Best sister ever,” Landry praises.

“I’m out. Text me and let me know what to bring.” I wave and rush out the door, putting some much-needed distance between me and the dark-haired beauty.

I’m lying in bed, willing sleep to claim me when my phone rings. Lifting it from the nightstand where it’s charging, I see Mom flash on the screen and smile. “Hey, Mom,” I answer.

“I know it’s late. I got busy with your sisters and wedding planning, but I wanted to call and see how the last day of training camp went.”

“Not too bad. I wasn’t in as bad of shape as some of the others.” I chuckle, thinking about Landry whining about how out of shape he was. I tried to warn him. This isn’t his first rodeo. It’s as if he forgets the pain and suffering of letting himself go in the offseason every year.

“Will Landry ever learn?” she asks with a small laugh. She’s been around him almost as long as I have, so she knows his habits.

“Nope. So, what’s new with you and Dad? How’s Everly and the wedding planning? Is Emma dating anyone?”

“We’re all good. Wedding planning is done; now we just wait for the big day, and as far as I know, Emma isn’t dating anyone. Your dad has hired more help, younger guys, and he’s spending more time supervising than he is actually working.”

“I bet he hates that.” My dad owns Beckett Construction.

He and four of his best friends, one of whom married my dad’s sister, Reagan, have worked together longer than I’ve been around.

They’re all getting older, and like me, with football, aches and pains take over.

Your body can only last in strenuous situations for so long before it gives out on you.

I’ve been trying to get my parents to retire for years, telling them I’d take care of them.

They both tell me that they’re too young to retire.

They sacrificed so much for me growing up, all the football practices, games, and gear.

It’s the least that I can do. They gave me unwavering support; I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

“You know your dad. He enjoys the work but knows he won’t be able to do the heavy lifting forever.”

“What about you? Anything riveting in the world of pediatrics?” I ask her. My mom is a nurse and has worked at the same pediatrician’s office since before I was born. She loves what she does.

“Nothing new. Just waiting on my kids to make me a grandma.”

“Everly’s getting married soon. You might get your wish.”

“What about you? Seeing anyone?”

“I promise you, when that happens, you’ll be the first to know.”

“I’m your mother, Knox. I can see right through your pretty lies, but I’ll pretend I don’t.” She chuckles.

“It’s hard to meet someone who wants me for me, you know?” We’ve had this conversation before, but it deserves to be repeated. I’ve played with too many guys who get sucked into a relationship with kids, and the woman leaves him for someone else. He was a meal ticket to support her.

On the flip side, some guys on the team have multiple kids with multiple women and don’t seem to care.

I’m the opposite. I want someone who wants me.

Not Knox, the quarterback. Just Knox, the man.

In a perfect world, they’d also love the game, or at least support my love for football.

Finding her is like finding a needle in a haystack.

My thoughts instantly flash to Corie, but I shove her back in the “do not touch or think about” box and slam the lid.

“I know, but you’ll never find her if you don’t start looking.”

“You weren’t looking for Dad, and Dad wasn’t looking,” I remind her.

“No, we weren’t looking, but fate brought us together.”

“We’re not all that lucky,” I remind her.

“I’m not pressuring you, but I want to see all my kids happy.”

“Do I not seem happy?”

“You do, but there is so much more to life than work. We both know all too well that tomorrow isn’t promised for any of us.

I want you to experience what it’s like to love someone so unapologetically that it consumes you.

I want you to be able to hold your son or daughter in your arms and watch them learn and grow. I want that for you and your sisters.”

“I know, Mom.” I feel my throat tighten with emotion.

“I love you, Knox Alexander Beckett.”

“I love you, too.”

“All right, I didn’t mean for this call to get so deep.” She laughs. “I miss you. I love you, and be safe out there, son.”

“I miss you, too, love you more, and always am.”

“Night, kiddo.”

“Night, Mom.” I end the call with a smile on my face.

I do have the best parents and the biggest support group.

There are a lot of guys on the team who don’t have that, and I know how fortunate I am.

I also know what it looks like to be in love because of my parents, their friends, my aunt Reagan, and Uncle Tyler.

I grew up watching all five couples love so deeply, it’s in everything they do.

I hope that I’m lucky enough to find that. However, I know I’ve lived an extraordinary life if I don't. I have an incredible family and a career that I live for. I have no complaints, and I know how rare that is.