I’d kept my word and dragged my sorry arse over to my parents’ house. Spending time with them never used to seem like a chore. If anything, I’d enjoyed it whenever they surprised me with a visit. Usually, Dad and I would sit on the couch watching whatever sports channel was on while Mum slaved over the kitchen stove cooking up a feast that could easily feed the five-thousand. Dad and I always teased her for it and she’d always come back with, “I’m making a batch up for the week. I need to make sure my boys are fed.” We left her to it because, despite how silly it was considering we lived off takeout while she was away anyway, it made her happy. I guess she thought she was making up for being away a lot.

Everything was different now, though.

Taylor and Lola stopped by the house more frequently these days. They liked spending time with my dad. Taylor had been without a proper family for so long that he couldn’t help latching on to his newfound one. My mum was home less now than she had been when I was growing up. Even if she could forgive Dad, constantly seeing him with Taylor ultimately brought his betrayal to the surface and reignited her anger, magnifying her hurt. Except for Taylor and Dad, our interactions were painfully awkward, and at times, upsetting. If we bumped into each other around the house, there was usually an awkward silence or quick mumble as we continued the way we were headed. Family dinners were torture. As Taylor and Dad chatted away and Mum made uncomfortable conversation with Lola, all I could think was how alone I felt. It was funny. You could sit in a room full of people chatting away around you and still feel like you were the only person in the room. Alone, and a little lost.

I continued to push the fork around the plate of untouched food and listened idly while my father probed Taylor for more news on the transfer front. The transfer window officially opened tomorrow, but it wasn’t unheard of for clubs to show an early interest.

“I don’t know,” Taylor said as he shrugged. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks.”

“You’re going to try and stay south, though, right?” Dad asked, concern in his voice.

Taylor glanced at Lola who had a nervous, maybe even worried look on her face. I didn’t miss the unspoken exchange between them. “We haven’t really spoken about it. I don’t know. I guess staying here would be easier. I mean, Lola has work and her parents aren’t too far away. I guess it all depends what offers I get.”

I wish I had the same optimism Taylor had.

“How is work, Lola?” Mum asked, turning the attention away from football and onto the petite brunette opposite her.

“Oh, it’s amazing, Mrs. Knight,” she gushed. “Every day is so different and new. The people, the staff… I just never thought I would feel so passionately about something that once seemed horrific. It’s like I finally get it now.”

Taylor leant forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’m proud of you, babe. You’ve done so well to get where you are. They’re lucky to have you. So am I.”

“I’m the lucky one,” she whispered back, her cheeks flushing bright pink.

Taylor adored his girlfriend. That much was obvious. They had been through so much to get where they were. I hadn’t been convinced about them at the beginning, but it was clear that they were right for each other. They’d just needed to get over their insecurities to see it for what it really was: True love at its finest. You couldn’t run from that… so I’d heard.

“While I’ve got you both here together… eventually… there’s something I need to tell you,” Dad said, pushing his empty plate away. I knew that whatever he was about to say wouldn’t be good news. I pushed back in my chair and waited. It seemed like a lifetime had passed before he spoke again. “It’s Coach Thorn. He’s retiring at the end of next season. I know how much you both thought of him and all he’s done for the two of you, so I wanted to be the one to tell you. The announcement won’t come until the final game of the season, and by then we should have arranged a replacement.”

Coach Thorn was retiring? I knew he was getting on a bit, but he still had a good couple of years left in him. I wondered for a moment where that left the team.

“Ah, man. That sucks. Who have you got lined up?” Taylor asked.

“No one yet. It’s still early days, and when the time comes I want to make sure we’ve made the right decision. They’ve made Southern League Division now and I’d hate to see them fall back.”

“Yeah, I get that.” Taylor nodded, his eyes surreptitiously meeting mine. “We should stop by and see him. It’s been a while,” he said, raising both brows. I knew it was a dig at me for keeping my distance.

“I’ll stop by tomorrow after training. Meet there?” I asked.

“Nah. We’ll go together. We’re overdue a catch-up anyway.”

“I think what Taylor is trying to say is that he’s missed you. You’re all he’s spoken about,” Lola said through a smile.

“I guess I could do that. I should be finished by three at the latest. You can grab me from the field. My car’s in for service anyway. Saves me using Rye’s car.”

“You know you can always use mine, son,” Dad said.

“Nah, it’s cool. Thanks, though. Anyway, I’ve gotta shoot,” I announced. “Thanks for dinner, Mum.” I pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“You’ve barely touched a thing.”

“Gotta watch the pounds,” I told her, running my hands over my stomach for added effect. “Thanks, though.”

“There isn’t an ounce of fat on you, but you’re welcome, Jake. You know I’m at my happiest when I’m cooking for my boys. And you, Lola, of course,” she quickly corrected herself and laughed.

“Wouldn’t dream of turning down one of your famous roast dinners, Mrs. Knight.” Lola groaned, her green eyes twinkling.

“It’s Helen,” Mum said, rolling her eyes before smiling brightly.

“Sorry, Helen.” Lola giggled again just as Taylor pulled her into his lap.

I shook my head. “Alright, well, I’ll see you guys later then.”

A chorus of goodbyes and see ya laters followed me as I slipped out of the back door and made my way down the path leading to my place. I let out a long sigh, thankful it was over. I knew I would have to face Taylor tomorrow and I needed to be okay with that. This was for coach, after all. The guy needed to know that he was appreciated and if that meant spending time with Taylor, then I would.

The moment I stepped through the door, it immediately hit me. Her scent. It drifted through the house like she was still there. I knew it was just my imagination working overtime, but a part of me still wished that she was there. She’d left shortly after Taylor’s departure and without so much as another word. I’d wanted her to stay. Fuck, I’d wanted her to stay so bad. And not just to fuck. Although I’d be lying if I said that thought hadn’t crossed my mind. Strangely enough, I found myself wanting to ask her questions that I never took the time to ask her before. She was different around me. Or maybe I just wanted to believe that she was. No. She was different. She was vulnerable and lost. She wasn’t the girl that everyone else knew. She was intriguing—a closed book I wanted to tear open and devour every last word of. But I wasn’t who she really wanted. I wasn’t Taylor. I’d realised that last year when she’d called out his name in her sleep after I’d spent hours buried inside of her. The way we’d fucked that night was like nothing I’d ever experienced. It was passionate. Raw. Then she’d called out his name and I knew I would always be second best. To her, I was just Taylor’s brother who she happened to spend a bunch of time fucking. That was the moment I told myself that I would never be second best again. If my father wanted a relationship with his son, then I could deal with that. I wouldn’t participate in it, but I would step back and allow him to have the relationship he’d deprived Taylor of his entire life. I wouldn’t stand in the way. Not ever. But I would never be second best again.