Page 25 of Undeniable Love

“Of me,” he said wearily, falling back against the sofa cushions. “Jeez, I can’t believe how misguided you were on pretty much everything.”

Neither could she.

Swallowing hard, she glanced over at him. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do here. I’m really sorry for all the times I got angry with you and your situation when it wasn’t your fault.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. You were reacting to something you didn’t understand.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better.” Mimicking his pose, she relaxed against the cushions and stared up at the ceiling. “But I guess I need to apologize to Jax, huh?”

“That’s totally up to you. Like I said, this wasn’t about me forcing you into anything. It just seemed like this conversation was long overdue.”

And that still didn’t make her feel any better.

Turning her head, she looked over at him. “I said some pretty horrible things to him.”

He nodded. “I’m sure you did.”

“Hey!”

“Lucy, you’re my sister. I’m very familiar with your temper.”

“Oh.”

They sat in silence for several long moments before Ty made a suggestion. “I’m going to see Jax play this weekend. He invited me to come out to Wichita and see a game. I’ve done it several times over the years, but…maybe you can come with me.”

“What?” Sitting straight up, she looked at her brother like he was crazy. “I can’t just take off like that, and I’m sure I’m the last person Jax wants to see.”

“I’m leaving Friday morning and flying home Monday afternoon. I think you should consider it. I’ll even pay for your flight.”

Rolling her eyes, she flopped back against the cushions. “There’s still the hotel, food, and whatnot. I mean, I have days available, so I could probably take them without it being a big deal. Even on short notice. But I don’t have a ticket to the game and it just seems like a lot to maybe see Jax for like five minutes, so…”

Standing, Tyler walked to the kitchen and picked up his phone and began tapping something out. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who he was texting. Part of her wanted to jump up and tell him not to bother—that she really didn’t want to go—but she knew she wasn’t going to rest until she made things right.

Two minutes later, Ty walked back over and sat down. “Jax has a booth for the game, so we’re good.”

“Oh.”

“And you don’t need a hotel, because we’re staying with him.”

“Oh.”

“Be sure to pack your bathing suit. Jax has an amazing outdoor living space with a hot tub.”

Ugh…I really should have jumped up and said no when I had the chance…

Late Friday afternoon, Jax was driving home from practice and thought about what was waiting for him at the house and wondered if he’d missed anything. The place was going to be spotless; that was a given. And he was certain there would be more than enough food. He was just thankful he didn’t have to do any of it himself, thanks to his housekeeper. Having Tyler here for the weekend wasn’t a big deal. As a matter of fact, it was something they did at least three to four times a year. No, this was different because this time he was bringing Lucy.

The groan was out before he could stop it.

Ever since he got back from South Creek, he’d replayed the conversation they’d had over and over in his head more times than he’d care to admit.

Why hadn’t he just set her straight about everything? But more importantly, why did she even think those things about him? Didn’t she ever talk to her family? The whole thing was mind-boggling because the Dawsons were such a great family. Hell, there had been times when he was growing up that he wished he was related to them because his own home life was so messed up. So for the life of him, he had no idea why Lucy was putting the blame for pretty much everything wrong with their lives on him.

It would have been easy to have an answer; all he had to do was ask Tyler. But in doing that, he’d have to share what Lucy had said to him and…well…that didn’t sit right with him, either. She might think he was the worst, but he still didn’t believe in going back to her brother and talking about her behind her back.

Now she was going to be here for the weekend, so that had to mean that she changed her mind about helping with the camp.

He just wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.