Sweet Complications Read online

  His heart ached at the thought of the loss. They’d become fast friends in high school when Evan and Brooke had moved to town. Both boys into football and fast cars, they’d clicked almost the moment the family moved in next door.

  It had been similar with Brooke, yet completely different. She’d climbed out of her family’s car while Dylan and Evan had been throwing the ball in the front yard. Dylan literally tripped over his own two feet when he saw her.

  Luckily, Evan had been cool about their mutual interest. He hadn’t been like most guys who didn’t want friends dating his little sister. Evan loved seeing Dylan and Brooke together. Said it made him happy that they were happy.

  “Dylan?”

  He snapped his head up.

  Beverly Lawrence, Brooke’s mom, looked at him expectantly.

  Dylan cleared his throat. “Can you repeat the last part?”

  “I asked if you have any questions.”

  “Nothing comes to mind.”

  She nodded then looked around the table. “We only have two weeks to make this happen. Let’s do the best we can for Evan’s memory.”

  Everyone broke off into their assigned teams.

  Dylan walked to Brooke, his heart racing. It was crazy how being around her made him feel like a teenager all over again. If he didn’t know better, he’d never guess women lined up for a chance at getting his attention. Such was the life of a popular NFL quarterback.

  Brooke Davenport, however, didn’t even look up when he approached. She just sighed as she scrawled on a piece of paper.

  “It’s good to see you again.”

  She handed the paper to him. “We don’t have a lot of time. You get the ones with a ‘D’ next to them, and I’ll take care of the rest. Sound good?”

  “Your mom said we’re supposed to work as a team.”

  “When have you ever known me to worry about what she thinks?”

  She had him there. The girl had always had a mind of her own.

  Brooke glanced at her phone, where she’d snapped a picture of the split list. “Once you get your items, let me know.”

  “I don’t have your number.”

  “I’m next door, and this town is tiny.”

  Dylan lifted a brow. “It’d be easier if I had your number.”

  “Fine.” She said the ten numbers at lightning speed.

  “Not so fast.” He pulled out his phone and started a new text. “Say that again.”

  Brooke repeated the numbers.

  He texted her a football emoji. “There. Now you have my number, too.”

  “Great.” She stuffed her phone into her purse. “Can you get anything football-related? A helmet signed by a famous player or something?”

  “I’m a famous player or something.”

  Her mouth curled.

  He couldn’t tell if she was trying not to smile or if she really didn’t care. “Okay. I know people eat up that stuff. I’m sure anything will do.”

  “I can put together a package that’ll bring in a bidding war.”

  “Perfect. I’ll be in touch.” She spun around and said something to Maggie.

  Then she was gone. Dylan pretended to look at the list as he watched her walk outside then to a BMW. Her younger brother and sister followed, talking excitedly.

  He didn’t budge until her car was out of sight.

  A hand rested on his arm. He turned to see Beverly.

  She gave him a friendly smile. “I see that look in your eyes. It’s the same one you had ten years ago when she let you go.”

  Dylan frowned. When he’d left for college, Brooke had insisted they break up. He’d never agreed with her decision, and he certainly didn’t want to think about it again now. But he couldn’t stop the memory from flooding back.

  * * *

  “Not because I don’t love you.” Tears shone in her eyes as water lapped around their feet on the beach. “But I don’t want to hold you back. You’re going to college. You get to experience the world. All you know is this little seaside town. I don’t want to be an anchor weighing you down.”

  Dylan’s chest tightened, making it hard to breathe. “I don’t care about any of that. All I care about is playing football and you. I don’t want to lose you.”

  She blinked, and a tear clung to her lash. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be. Go out there and take in the whole college experience. If one day our paths cross again and we still feel the same way, then it was meant to be. Honestly, who really ends up with their high school sweetheart?”

  Dylan looked toward the town. Desperation clawed at him. Brooke was his everything. “Everyone here!”

  She wiped her eyes. “Exactly my point. You need to get out there and live in the real world. See how you feel after that.”

  He pulled her close and clung to her. “I’ll never stop loving you. You’re the only person I can see myself settling down and having a family with.”

  Brooke squirmed out of his hold. “You’ll thank me later. Trust me.”

  Dylan shook his head. “That’s where you’re wrong. Don’t do this. I’ll text you the whole way there.”

  She shook her head. “You and Evan should talk about your plans. Your classes, the team, what fraternity to join. All that stuff.”

  He stared at her, his throat growing scratchy and fighting tears of his own. “How can I think of any of that after you dump me?”

  Dylan felt naked and exposed, waiting for her to answer.

  Brooke wiped her eyes again then took his hand. “I’m not dumping you. I’m setting you free so you can live your life and figure out what you really want. Maybe we’ll end up back together if it’s meant to be.”

  “We are.” He squeezed her hand, pleading with his eyes.

  “We’ll see.” She let go and stepped away.

  “Did your mom put you up to this? Or Duke? This sounds like one of them.” He crossed his arms to keep her from seeing them shaking.

  Brooke shook her head. “It’s all me. I want you to see what life’s like out there, unhindered.”

  “You don’t hinder me!”

  She held his gaze for a moment before she stepped back to him and gave him one last heart-stopping kiss. He cupped her chin and begged her to change her mind with his lips.

  Brooke stepped back, her eyes shining. “I’m doing this because I love you.”

  Then she walked away.

  Dylan chased after her—he was no fool, not even back then.

  “Don’t do this.” She shook her head. “Don’t make this more difficult than it already is.”

  His heart shattered into a million pieces, but he let her go. They would end up back together.

  * * *

  Her mom’s voice brought him back to the present, to Sweet Caroline’s cafe. To Brooke walking off again, but this time without a hint of regret in her eyes.

  Beverly smiled. “Evan would be rooting for you two if he were here.”

  Dylan nodded. “Thanks, ma’am. But I’m not sure Brooke feels the same way.”

  “She’s never dated anyone seriously since you. She claims it’s because she wants to focus on her career, but I don’t believe her.”

  “No?”

  “I don’t think she’s ever found anyone who measures up to you.” Beverly squeezed his arm before turning to someone who had a question.

  Dylan turned to where Brooke’s car had been.

  Was this their chance to get back together? Was it even possible, given their drastically different careers across the country from each other?

  Or maybe it was time to finally let her go.

  Chapter 3

  Brooke wiped tears from her eyes and turned the page of the old scrapbook. More familiar pictures of her and Evan as children. Her heart both ached and warmed at the images.

  Childhood hadn’t been easy by any stretch, but having her big brother had made everything bearable. Though they’d been young, he protected her. He kept his arm around her through their dad’s trial and a
gain the few times they’d visited him in prison.

  Later, Evan had been her rock when their mother had dated a long series of men, many of whom they’d moved in with because Mom hadn’t been able to afford her own apartment. Not with minimum wage jobs and no child support because her ex was in prison for life.

  All of that changed when she met Duke. He had insisted on doing everything right. They didn’t move in together until after the wedding, but he’d helped her financially before that.

  Brooke turned the page and frowned at the first picture of Evan in his football gear.

  “Why, Evan? Why?” Tears blurred her vision until she couldn’t see the photo album.

  If he’d never gotten involved with football, he’d still be alive. It was a complication from an injury on the field that had killed him. She’d watched him suffer in the hospital for weeks, paralyzed, before his body finally gave out.

  It had been a relief knowing he wasn’t in pain any longer, but losing her brother, her source of stability, was a blow that kept on hitting. Worse now that she was back in Indigo Bay. The home they’d lived in. The town where he’d grown to love the sport. Next door to Dylan, who had pushed football onto him.

  She closed the book. The walls closed in on her. The air suffocated her.

  Brooke opened the window and looked at the stars over the water. The house still pressed in.

  She leaped from the bed, pulled her hair into a messy bun, crept downstairs then outside. The warm sea breeze brought comfort. Not as much as having her brother back, but it provided relief from the smothering air in her old room.

  What she wouldn’t give to fast-forward through the next two weeks and get back to DC, back to work, and put all this behind her.

  Brooke made her way to a secluded part of the beach that tourists rarely found then sat on a large piece of driftwood, watching the waves in the moonlight.

  “Guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

  She whipped around.

  Dylan. He wore only swim trunks and a towel around his well-defined shoulders. His muscular arms flexed as he reached for it.

  Her heart thundered, pounding against her chest.

  Focus on his eyes.

  He stepped closer, his intense gaze focused on her.

  Her breath hitched. Bad idea looking into his eyes. His cheeks. Focus on those. His light beard was the perfect length. Was it poky or soft? If she brushed her palms along it—

  Stop!

  Dylan sat next to her, leaving a sufficient amount of space between them.

  She played with a nail. It had chipped on something, and she hadn’t done anything about it yet.

  The silence screamed between them. Someone needed to say something.

  Brooke turned to him. “I secured a tour of the Statue of Liberty for the auction.”

  That sounded so stupid.

  He nodded. “Cool. I talked to Josh Cooper. He offered a tour of the stadium and tickets to a Panthers game.”

  “Who’s Josh Cooper?”

  “An injured player who visits town regularly. He’s an NFL announcer.”

  “Oh. You think people would be interested in that?”

  “Of course they would.” He frowned.

  Guilt stung. “I didn’t mean to imply the idea wasn’t good. I’m not into sports, so I don’t know what fans want.”

  “Trust me. People will love it.”

  More silence.

  She rose. “I should get going.”

  “Wait.”

  “Yes?”

  He hesitated. “I… How are you doing?”

  “Tired. I drove over five hours to get here, and now I can’t sleep.”

  “No, I mean how’s life? Are you happy in DC?”

  Brooke nodded. “I love it.”

  “That’s good.”

  “And I assume you’re happy?”

  Dylan nodded. “It’s my dream career. I miss Evan, obviously. It isn’t the same without him.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  More silence.

  She took a deep breath. “I’ll see you around.”

  “I’m going for a dip. Want to join me?”

  Brooke gave him a double-take. She didn’t have a suit on. And more importantly, she didn’t want to spend another moment with him. Being there with him was worse than suffocating in the guest bedroom.

  “It might relax you.” He shrugged and rose, towering over her.

  She swallowed. At her height, she looked the average man directly in the eyes.

  He was no average man.

  She’d known that from the moment she laid eyes on him as a teenager. And it was even more obvious with him standing there, shirtless.

  He smiled. “You always did like the beach.”

  “Like I said, I’m tired. What I need is sleep.”

  Dylan nodded. “The offer still stands if you want to change and come back out.”

  She hesitated. “No. I need some shut-eye.”

  “Brooke…”

  The look in his eyes made her heart skip a beat. “Goodnight, Dylan.” She spun then marched toward the house before he actually convinced her to go for a swim.

  The last thing she needed was to enjoy herself with him. Actually, the last thing she needed was him. The person who had gotten Evan serious about football. And even if she did want to consider dating him—not that she wanted to—it wouldn’t work, anyway.

  She couldn’t risk giving her heart to someone who played such a dangerous sport.

  Before she turned out of sight, she glanced back at Dylan. His hands rested at the base of his neck as he sauntered toward the water.

  A flash of memories flooded her mind. Sweet nothings whispered in each other’s ears. Stolen kisses. A lot of laughter and teasing. Many nights like this one, sitting under the stars with his strong arms around her.

  Dylan turned around.

  He caught her watching him.

  Heat flooded her face. She wheeled around then rushed out of his line of sight, heart racing.

  Chapter 4

  Dylan sipped his coffee and stared at the sun shining in through his parents’ kitchen window. The last thing he wanted to do was wander through town procuring items. He’d spent too much time in Seattle—that was home now—and the humid heat that he’d once loved now felt sweltering. Assaulting.

  The front door opened, and the sounds of kids chattering filled the house.

  He emptied his mug then pushed away from the table.

  “Uncle Dylan?”

  “In the kitchen!” He put his dishes in the sink before heading for the living room.

  His niece and nephew threw themselves against him, talking over each other.

  He picked up Belle and tossed her into the air. She giggled and squealed.

  Colton climbed up his leg. “Throw me, Uncle Dylan! Throw me!”

  Dylan laughed, set Belle down, then tossed his nephew.

  “They’ve missed their uncle.” Annie smiled and embraced him. “So has your sister, actually.”

  He squeezed her. “I’ve missed you guys more than you know.”

  They caught up while he wrestled with his niece and nephew.

  Once the kids tired out, Colton turned to him. “Did you bring us presents?”

  “Colt!” Annie threw Dylan an apologetic glance. “Honestly, I raised them better than to be so rude.”

  Colton looked down. “Sorry, Mama.”

  Dylan rose. “Well, rude or not, you’ll be happy to know I brought some gifts.”

  Both kids jumped up and down.

  “Stay here while I get them.”

  Belle grabbed her brother’s hand and danced around with him.

  Dylan chuckled and headed up to his room, which hadn’t changed a bit since the day he left for college. He tried to ignore the pictures of him and Brooke. It was hard not to look. They’d been so happy. His favorite was one of Brooke kissing his cheek at a carnival. She had some cotton candy stuck to her cheek, and Dylan loved that it wa
s a rare picture of her without everything perfectly in place.

  He grabbed the kid-sized Seahawk jerseys with his number and name on them and took them downstairs.

  They both shrieked, thanked him, and pulled them on.

  “When are you gonna be a Panther?” Colton asked.

  “As soon as they’ll take me. I haven’t been able to convince them yet.”

  Annie gestured toward his Super Bowl ring. “You’re not doing so bad in Seattle, though.”

  Dylan chuckled then winked at the kids. “Definitely not. And I can’t complain about playing for my second favorite team. But I’d love to be closer to home and a couple of cute kids.”

  Colton twisted his mouth. “I’m not cute.”

  Dylan burst out laughing. If that wasn’t cute, he didn’t know what was.

  His nephew glared at him.

  He tousled his hair. “You’re right. You’re one cool dude.”

  Colton beamed.

  Dylan stretched. “I hate to leave so soon after you guys show up, but I have a ton of auction items to procure.”

  “Like what?” Annie asked. “Maybe I can help.”

  He handed her the list. “The ones marked with a ‘D’ are mine.”

  She scanned the list. “I’m headed over to the cottages. I can ask Zoe about the spa voucher.”

  “You’re a lifesaver.”

  “I can think about it and see if I can come up with more. If nothing else, free babysitting so the parents can have a night out—if they want their kids playing with these two monkeys.”

  “Hey!” Belle scowled.

  “That’d be great.” Dylan picked up his niece and nephew and gave them both a kiss on the cheek. “Maybe we can get together later? Tomorrow?”

  “If you’re cooking.” Annie shot him a teasing glance.

  “You want me cooking?” He laughed.

  “Yeah,” Belle agreed. “Remember that time he burned the beans?”