by Kim Koby
He closed his eyes and tipped his head back. “He’s on life support.”
Her voice softened to a near whisper. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
“It’s been a while. What are you doing here?” Of all the places in the world, what business did she have there? His high school sweetheart, the girl he’d spent the better part of four years with. He’d been completely in love with her. Had ten years really passed?
She pointed to the stethoscope around her neck. “I work here. I’m a nurse.”
He hadn’t noticed her uniform of scrubs. It should have been obvious, but his mind was scrambled with everything going on.
“I work in NICU, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”
“Right, the stethoscope and scrubs. Sorry, I’m not quite myself,” he admitted. He pushed his large hand through his hair.
“I can imagine. That’s tragic. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Do you mind if I sit with you for a while, or do you prefer to be alone?” she asked.
Time healed him enough that the wound wasn’t fresh, but it was hard to forget the way she left him on seeing her face again. The past flashed through his mind like a scrapbook of old snapshots. “It’s fine. The distraction will do me good. What have you been up to?”
“Life,” she said with a half-hearted laugh. “You’re doing well for yourself. Big football star, huh?”
“I’d give it all up if…never mind. Cliché, right?” The lump in his throat made it difficult to swallow.
He saw compassion in her eyes. “I can’t imagine how tough this has been on you.”
“Yeah.” He stared at the cross in front of the small room, then finally glanced over again. “You look good. It’s been a few years.”
Brandy smiled. “Thanks. A little while, huh? High school feels like a lifetime ago. I went on to nursing school, then took more specialized training. Put my time in, and somehow ended up back home. Go figure. I was out on the east coast for a while, but here I am, back in Texas. Once a Texan, always a Texan.”
“San Antonio isn’t a bad place to call home,” he reminded.
“I agree. I guess I saw myself as an adventurer. I did like gaining my independence. After all, in high school I was Jett Warren’s girlfriend...Well, until we split up.”
“Yeah. You mean until you shredded me and left me standing in a pool of heartache?” He shouldn’t have gone there. It was a long time ago. They were only kids.
“Ouch.” She glanced away for a moment, then seemed to brush it off like nothing. “What about you, besides the obvious? Did you get married? Do you have kids?”
He apologized for the snide remark. “That was uncalled for. I’m sorry. Anyway, I never had time to dedicate myself to someone like I’d want to. I’m all about the game right now. It’s not a long career, so I need to stay in the right frame of mind while I can. I casually dated in college, but professionally it’s a different level. I need to be spot on. Trust me, there’s always a younger player with their eye on your position, hoping you’ll screw up. As for relationships, there will be time for that later...or maybe not.”
“Why do you say it like that?” She seemed confused by the last statement.
“Look at my brother. His life is cut short. He’ll never know the joy of having kids. His wife will be widowed…” He stopped talking, stood, and pressed his forehead against one of the walls. “I can’t do this right now. I’m sorry we didn’t run into one another on better terms. It was nice to see you.”
“If you need anything, come find me.”
He was the last person she expected to see. While the circumstances were grave, she couldn’t deny the immediate attraction. Her heart quickened into a pitter-patter when she realized it was Jett sitting in the chapel.
She never dreamed she’d come face to face with him again. She’d put him in the past. Looking back, it seemed like a good idea at the time. She’d been in his shadow for so long and ached for an ounce of independence. He wouldn’t have time for her in college, and once again she’d forever be known as Jett’s girlfriend. Brandy Summers was a ghost, never being noticed. She needed to grow, to find herself, and to move on. As much as she loved him and knowing they’d be at different universities, it was time to cut him free. It was time to discover her future.
Brandy had slipped into the chapel hoping for a few moments of peace. The day was a rough one. Sometimes the chapel was the only place where she could be alone. If she was lucky, she’d catch an elevator with nobody else in it, but there were no guarantees. She learned to rely on the chapel as her go-to place when she needed to clear her head.
Jett looked amazing, even in his grief. He’d only gotten better with age. His body matured and filled in. He had the face of a man, not the teenage boy she’d once fallen in love with. His shoulders must have broadened tenfold. He’d easily packed on pounds of muscle playing pro ball. She inhaled deeply, trying not to get too flustered. He did look good.
She reached up and fingered the tubing of her stethoscope, almost subconsciously. How had so much time passed? It seemed like only yesterday that they’d spent their youth together. She’d been so in love with him, but youth will do that. A smile curled over her lips. It was easy to get lost in memory. They were some of her better ones until they parted ways.
Jett was a rising star. College recruiters came to see the player who was gaining strong stats and popularity. Offers poured in, and Brandy saw the future. His future. She wasn’t in it. Not that she didn’t want to be. In fact, fantasizing about them going through college hand in hand and starting a family was a big piece of her teenage daydreams. Reality was a different story.
It was clear he had bigger dreams than spending time with a new, young wife. Besides, after her father left…
In Texas, football was sacred. People took it seriously and most kids started playing young. Jett was driven, and his dreams revolved around going pro. She knew he wasn’t looking to settle down even if he’d said he loved her.
Watching her parents split up, she started to see little signs, things that showed her that men put their own selfish needs first. How had she not seen it more clearly?
Jett stood out like a beacon of light against the other players. He was destined to be a star. Only his dreams looked singular, and she wasn’t having any of it. Tired of being his girl and losing her own identity, she made the decision to take her life back.
Had she really given him four years of love and support, only to see the stars in his eyes not looking back? She’d sacrificed her high school years doing what he wanted, when he wanted to keep him happy. It was time to put herself first, like he’d done all along.
Fired up on heartache and tangled in the painful memory of her father leaving, she knew she couldn’t rely on a man to keep her happy. She’d need to be responsible for her own needs. Her father could care less that he left a broken family behind. Bitter? Yeah, absolutely, and she refused to let Jett do the same to her when he realized he no longer needed her by his side.
She dumped him hard. It cost a lot of tears, but it was the right thing to do if she was going to reclaim herself. Running into him at the hospital chapel brought up a rash of emotions, even all these years later.
And Will? Poor, sweet Will. Her heart broke. The pain that Jett must be carrying had to be immense.
Brandy glanced at her watch. It was time to head back to work. Reminiscing would have to wait for another day.
So much time had passed. The connection wasn’t the same, and yet the moment she laid eyes on him a rush of adrenaline ricocheted through her body. It was a gentle reminder that she’d always been in love with him—even if they’d moved on without each other.
Chapter 3
The trip down memory lane had been a small, welcome distraction. As much as he was surprised to see Brandy, his mind was too clouded with other things to truly appreciate the coincidence.
He wished it’d happened at another time or location. Their last meeting prior to this
one didn’t end so well. Enough time had passed that it no longer made him wince the way it had back then. She’d dropped him hard, pushed back, and left him standing alone after he’d given her the best four years of his life.
The hospital chapel was the last place he wanted to discuss the past. There was no joy to be had—not today. The present was too painful, and he had no idea what the future held.
Jett reached back and rubbed his neck, trying to erase the tension that refused to leave.
Brandy Summers had been the highlight of his youth. They were two peas in a pod, sharing new experiences together. When she walked away from their relationship, his heart shattered in so many pieces, he wasn’t sure he could put it all back together again.
He flashed back to the first day he noticed her—social studies, high school, in his freshman year. She was sitting a couple of rows over. He tried not to stare, but he was smitten. She gently tousled her hair over her shoulder, oblivious that a boy on the other side of the room couldn’t look away.
He pressed his sweaty palms against his jeans as his heart raced. She would be his. There was no other option. He knew right from the beginning.
What was different? Wasn’t that the same Brandy Summers he’d known through their younger years?
He pinched himself. It was like he was seeing her for the first time. She’d matured and looked amazing. Wow! She’d obviously blossomed over their summer break.
Her ruby red lips called to him. Her espresso colored hair fell halfway down her back. He’d watched her closely, finding it nearly impossible to concentrate. The moment the bell rang, he leapt. The rest was history. She was his, he was hers, and they were sweethearts all through high school.
As the next few years progressed, his goals became crystal clear. He wanted to achieve great things, and that meant football came first. Period. While he was in love, he knew what he had to do if he wanted to be noticed. If he was going to rise to the top, he’d need laser focus.
She still looked amazing. In fact, a familiar desire crept up on him. As painful as it was, they went their separate ways after one last tearful goodbye. His heart thudded in his chest, remembering the day she told him it was over. For a moment, the thought lingered.
He snapped back to the present moment, then made his way back to his brother’s hospital room. His mother looked over at him but didn’t say a word. She didn’t need to. Her expression said it all.
He felt the weight of her stare hit him like a sledgehammer. Couldn’t she see they were all suffering?
Her lips pinched tight and her brows knitted in disappointment. She silently shook her head and scowled as if she’d caught him cursing during Sunday School.
He understood. Truly. “Mom, this isn’t easy for any of us.”
She snipped with disgust. “Eva didn’t even come by last week on Thursday. Said she had to work late, as if that’s a valid excuse. She could have come by early, before work if she’d known her schedule was tight. It’s like she’s already given up on him. I would have found the time.”
“It’s been months. Give her a break. We all need a breather from time to time. This is mentally exhausting. She’s been living this nightmare every day like the rest of us. It wears you down. Stepping away for a few moments is healthy. You know that. Don’t be so hard on her. She’s lost her husband, just like you’ve lost your son and I’ve lost my brother.”
“Don’t you dare talk like he’s already gone. He’s not. He’s right here with us. How can you of all people give up on him so easily? If you’re not here to support him, to be here with love and hope, then you should leave.”
His jaw tensed. “You’re not the only one hurting.”
He felt bad for snapping, but the continual stress had worn him threadbare.
“I’m the only one who still believes in his recovery. You’ve all given up on him, even your father,” she replied.
“We’re all dealing with this in our own ways. It’s not like Will’s accident happened yesterday. I think you need to consider how long this has gone on. It’s time to let him go. His body is ready. The only reason he’s still breathing is because of those machines.”
“I’ll never give up on him.” She glared at her oldest son. “Never.”
Jett shook his head. “I’m sorry, Mom, but at this point, I support Eva’s decision.”
She looked away, avoiding eye contact. “I raised you to believe in miracles. Look at you, excelling, living your dream. I believed in you, and I believe in Will. He deserves that much.”
“This is different, and you know it. Look, I’ll leave you here to grieve, but I can’t keep doing this. It’s killing us all, like time is standing still.” Jett’s shoulders fell. As much as he wanted to sit with his mother and comfort her, he needed to walk away to breathe. She was adamant. He got it. He did. But this could go on for years with nothing changing. It would slowly kill all of them.
“I don’t want to discuss this in front of your brother,” she barked him. “They say that sometimes they can hear you talking. I won’t do that to Will.”
He sighed and gave in for the time being. “Fine. I ran into Brandy Summers earlier. Do you remember her?”
“Brandy? Of course, I remember her. Your first love, and practically attached to your hip through high school. What is she doing here?”
“She’s a nurse. She works in the Neonatal ICU. I went to the chapel for a little bit, and she happened to be there. I haven’t seen her in years.”
“How’s she doing? Did you tell her about your brother?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Said she went away for school, then ended up back here when the right position opened up.”
“Interesting. It must have been odd to see her after so many years.”
“It certainly took me by surprise. She looks good.” The part he didn’t mention was that he hadn’t stopped thinking about her since he laid eyes on her in the chapel. She’d found her way back into the corners of his mind.
Even with the tragic circumstances, she wisped around his brain like a leaf caught in the wind. All those years ago. And there she was. It was the first time in a long time that he felt anything other than pain stirring inside of him.
Would they have another run-in if he went back to the chapel? Would she come looking for him again? There was only one way to find out.
Chapter 4
Jett’s vulnerability crept up on him like a cat watching its prey. He’d hidden it well early on. He stood tough and reliant, bore the pain of others, but time wore him down. His strength was fading. Hairline cracks tainted his armor. He wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to hold on before crumbling from the pressure.
He wondered how Brandy’s mother was doing. Mrs. Summers had a chronic illness that left her with flareups, especially during times of stress. It was one of the reasons Brandy went to nursing school. She’d spent so many years caring for her mother while growing up that it seemed like the natural thing to do.
She’d always led with her heart. If it meant putting others first and helping them heal, she’d do it on a moment’s notice.
Brandy’s father left when she was a teenager. Not that he was ever faithful to his wife. But after he finally took off, Brandy’s mother never recovered. The last he’d heard, Mr. Summers started another family on the west coast.
Brandy was shredded. He was helpless to fix things, but all he wanted was to see her happy. The raw vulnerability she wore like a cloak tore his heart to pieces. He’d been there when it happened. All he could do was stand by her side and offer a strong shoulder, but it never felt like enough.
As he looked back on their relationship, he got lost in the details. Why had they given up? Why did she walk away? She was everything to him. Jett’s heart sank deeper into his chest.
Sure, football was important, but Brandy was his first true love. He loved her like he’d never loved another, and the moment she stood there ripping him apart and then walking away crushed his soul. It took him weeks
to recover, and months to finally move on.
Through the years, things changed. He thought of his team, the different groups he hung around with, and watched friendships mature or collapse with time. Honestly, his closest buddies were his teammates—well, his defensive line. They were as thick as blood when they weren’t letting stupid stuff get in the way. Sure, they had their moments, but DJ, Austin, Emmitt, and Sy were there for him when he got the news of his brother.
As for others—people were all shades of crazy. He learned who to trust, who to keep at a distance, and understood the different layers that existed after he’d grown famous. He knew betrayal just the same and kept his enemies in sight, but out of his circle.
He had to know who had his back. Too many were out for themselves, anxious to sell a story about him for money. Or they’d tag along, hoping to stay close for the extras fame afforded. Too many wanted the spotlight, but they weren’t the kind of friends he needed. All they cared about was what he could do for them.
When it came to Brandy, she was solid. She knew him before all of that, before the world learned his name. Even having known him since way back when, she never once tried to sell a story about him—even after they split up. She never used his fame for her own well-being. He knew he could trust her, plain and simple, and finding people like that was pure gold.
She’d been the highlight of the day—a fresh reminder that he still held memories of them. Anything was better than the torture he put himself through over his brother’s situation.
Sometimes he questioned the simplicity of good and bad after his brother’s accident. How could something so bad happen to somebody so good? Where was God in all of this? Jett’s usual optimistic nature clouded over. He tried to push the heaviness from his shoulders and focus back on Brandy.
His pulse quickened. She still revved his engine. It was odd, because he hadn’t seen her in so long, but she was still exactly his type. The more mature version of Brandy only made him want her more. There was a feminine grace about her, combined with a sweet smile and gorgeous bedroom eyes.
