I’d messaged Lola and asked her to meet me at the field. I needed to tell her what my uncle had told me, and something about this place made everything better.

“Taylor?” I lifted my head at the sound of her voice. I hadn’t doubted that she would come, but I couldn’t hide the instant relief I felt at seeing her.

“Hey, Firebox,” I said and held out a hand. I needed to feel her. I needed that familiar comfort I always felt whenever we touched.

Lola slipped her tiny hand into mine and sat beside me. “What’s wrong? Your message seemed serious.” Her fingers brushed across my knuckles. She looked concerned.

“I didn’t mean to worry you,” I told her.

“You didn’t. Not really.” She shrugged. It was obvious I had worried her, though. We were still so new at this and given our past history, we still had a lot to overcome. I knew it wouldn’t happen overnight. It was something we both needed to work on.

“Taylor? What is it?”

“Shit. I don’t even know where to start.”

“How about you start at the beginning?”

I chuckled nervously. “Yeah, I guess that would make sense.”

I met Lola’s eyes, looking for reassurance. Knowing exactly what it was I was looking for, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to my cheek. When she pulled back and squeezed my hand, I said, “I found out who my real dad is today.”

“You did? Your mum told you. That’s good, right?”

I shook my head. “No, she didn’t tell me. My uncle did. Well, he’s not my uncle…” Shit. This was a lot harder to say out loud. I guess I knew a little of how Colin felt now.

Lola frowned, confused. “Sorry, I don’t understand. He’s your uncle but he’s not?”

“No. Sorry, I don’t…”

“Breathe,” she whispered. “Just breathe.”

I pulled in a long breath and blew out. “My uncle is actually my dad.”

Lola snorted and quickly covered her mouth. When I didn’t say anything, she dropped her hand into her lap and gawked at me. “You’re serious?”

“He just told me this afternoon. I mean, I don’t even know how I feel about it. I want to be angry.”

“It’s okay to feel that way, Taylor. Anyone would in your position. It’s a normal reaction.”

“I guess so. I just… I don’t know. It’s a lot to take in.”

Lola’s hand came around the back of my neck. Her fingers ran back and forth so gently I could barely feel it. My skin prickled at the touch as she continued to make small, soothing movements across the same area.

“Did your dad know?”

I nodded.

“Wow. That must’ve been hard for him to accept.”

I hadn’t really thought about his feelings in all of this. I was still angry that he’d lied to me my whole life, but I guessed I shouldn’t be too hard on him. It would take a strong man to take on someone else’s child. Maybe he really did love my mum.

“How did Jake take the news?”

“He doesn’t know,” I admitted. “At least, he didn’t. I don’t know. I had to get out of there.”

“That’s understandable.”

My shoulders sagged as I released a sigh and turned to face her. “I love you,” I told her. I wasn’t sure why I said it. Something inside of me just needed her to know.

Lola gripped my chin between her fingers and forced our faces together. I closed my eyes as her lips found mine. “I love you,” she told me back. “It’s going to be okay, Taylor. I promise.”

“What am I gonna do? I can’t go back there. Not yet.”

“Stay with me.”

“Your parents—”

“Are still away,” she finished.

“Are you sure?” I didn’t know why but all of a sudden, things were different. I’d spent many nights with her before tonight. I wasn’t sure what had changed between us but there was a certain electrical current that swept through and over us.

“I’m positive.” She beamed up at me, her green eyes big and bright.

My heart sped up as I pulled her into my lap and pressed my mouth against hers in a desperate attempt to be close to her. I knew she felt it, too. The way she gripped my arms to steady herself, her heart thumping impossibly fast against my chest. Our tongues met, sparking something deep and powerful within me. I hoped she felt it too because I wasn’t sure I could wait any longer. It had only been a week since we had gotten back together, but I had never needed her as much as I did now.

Lola giggled as I tugged on her lip. We both stiffened as a cough interrupted the moment, and it didn’t come from us.

Lola shuffled off of my lap and straightened her jacket, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at being caught, and I would’ve laughed if my attention hadn’t been taken up by the person who was standing on the side-lines, looking lost.

“Jake?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just…”

“No, it’s okay. I wanted to see you,” I told him.

Jake nodded and I turned to Lola. “Wait for me at home?” I asked her.

Lola smiled and leaned forward, pressing her mouth against my ear as she whispered, “Good luck,” before she left us alone.

“It seems we can’t get away from this place.” He laughed. I knew it came from the nerves he felt. I felt it, too.

“You ain’t wrong there,” I agreed.

Jake blew out a breath and sat beside me, where Lola had been seated only moments ago. I wasn’t able to look at him as I fiddled with the sleeve on my jumper. I had no idea how I felt and I certainly had no idea how Jake did.

“This is weird, right? I mean, I don’t even know what to say.”

“They told you, didn’t they?” I asked him, just be sure.

“They had no choice. I walked in on them going at it. Pretty sure old Farmer John heard ‘em, too.” He chuckled.

“I’m sorry you had to hear it that way.”

When I eventually met Jake’s eyes, he shrugged. “Not your fault. They should’ve told us.”

“Yeah.”

“How do you feel about it, Tay?”

“Honestly, kid? I have no idea what to feel.”

Jake lowered his eyes and sniffed.

“How about you?”

Jake shrugged again. “I dunno. I should be pissed, but I’m not.”

“No?”

“Nah. I guess I always thought of you as my brother. Wanna know something?” He grinned.

“What?”

“When I was twelve, I had just started out at football camp—”

“I remember that camp.” I laughed, cutting him off. “Sorry, go on.”

“Tom brought you to one of my friendlies and I remember looking over at you, willing you to come and play with me. One of the kids caught me staring and asked if you were my brother…”

I chuckled. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him yes. Yes, you were my brother, and you were way better at football then he was.”

“You did?”

“I did. Crazy, right?”

“Look, Jake, I know this is weird and you probably have a load of questions that still need answering—hell, I know I have—but it doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t have to change how we are together.”

“You mean you aren’t pissed at me?”

I snorted. “You’re kidding, right? You’re the best thing that has come from this fucking mess. Knowing I have you—a brother—well, it makes all the bad shit seem irrelevant.”

The look of hope in his eyes was so strong I could almost feel it. “You’re serious?”

“Yep. So, what do you say? Fancy having me as a brother?”

“Hmm… I guess you’ll do.” He laughed.

“Cheers, cuz. Jake. Fuck. This is gonna take some getting used to.”

“Just wait until I have to explain this to the guys on the team.”

“Yeah, good luck with that one.” I grinned. Better him than me.

“I’m gonna need it. Anyway, today has been crazy so I’m gonna head back. Thanks, though. For the chat.”

“No problem,” I said, lifting my chin.

Jake shoved his hands in his jacket and jogged down the steps. He paused, letting his hand drift over the gate, and turned his cheek. “I’m glad you’re my brother, Tay.”

“Me, too, kid. Me, too.”