A Better Man(41)

Yes. He admired the woman Lucy had become. But was he ready for that? Was he ready to get involved with someone? And why the hell was the thought even entering his mind?

"Why isn't it an option to call on your brothers?" she asked him.

"They're all too busy." Sometimes a lie was the best way to handle something. Especially when you weren't quite sure what you were doing.

"And you're not?"

Lucy knocked him off balance. And for a guy whose career depended on his stability, it was an unnerving place to be. "I need to do this," he said, understanding that this, at least, was the truth. "Me. And nobody else except the help you're so generously giving me."



       
         
       
        

When she didn't question his motive, they discussed the possibility of a deeper motivation behind Nicole's assignment story. In the end, Lucy agreed with him that something bigger might be at hand and that questioning a few of Nicki's friends would be the best place to start.

"I'm not sure me approaching a group of young girls would be wise," he said. "I wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong idea."

"You're probably right. I'll handle it as soon as we get back from spring break."

"Next week is spring break?"

She nodded.

"So we have to wait an entire week to find out?" He jammed his fingers into his hair and groaned. "I can't just let my sister's situation sit on idle. I'm worried about her."

If he at least knew what he was dealing with, he could get Nicki the professional help she needed. "Her anger and her constant expectation that I'll leave are unreasonable."

"Then it's important for you to stick around," Lucy said. "Can you do that? Can you put your life on hold for another week?"

Jordan knew where his heart wanted to be. He knew where his dedication lay. But he also had a professional contract and things in that direction could turn real ugly, real fast. He didn't even want to acknowledge the part of him that missed lacing up his skates and hitting the ice.

It had been weeks since he'd played. He missed the roar of the crowd. The camaraderie with his team. The rush through his blood. He loved what he did for a living. Without it, he really had no idea who he was or who he could be.

It didn't surprise him that he defined himself by his career. It was all he'd ever had. Changing that now would take time and focus-­two things he currently didn't have stockpiled in his favor.

"I'll figure it out," he said. "I need to do what's best for Nicole."

Lucy smiled. "You're a good brother."

"I'm a shitty brother who's trying to make up for practically ignoring her her whole life."

"Well, hopefully her friends will have some insight. I'll see what I can do to speed up the possibility of speaking with them."

"I'd appreciate that."

Jordan took a drink of his wine and his mind wandered for a minute. When he refocused Lucy was talking about Nicole's group of friends. Her expressions became more animated. Or maybe that was just cause and effect of the wine she'd been sipping. He'd refilled her glass twice, and since he didn't know her well enough, he figured he'd best keep an eye on how much more she drank. Not that he was opposed to her loosening up a little. 

Nope.

Not opposed at all.

"It's crazy," she said, waving her half-­empty glass.

Uh-­oh. What did he miss?

"Did you know there are girls at Sunshine High who spend over a thousand dollars on prom?" she asked him, then continued because obviously he had no answer. "Whatever happened to just buying a dress and a corsage and borrowing Dad's car? I mean, now these kids rent stretch limos and have after parties that go till dawn. And they dress like movie stars. They guzzle champagne in the back of the limos with fresh strawberries dropped into their crystal flutes even though they aren't legally old enough to drink."

Jordan frowned. How the hell did they get on the subject of prom?

"Oh come on. Isn't that what prom was like for you?" he teased.

"Me? Pfft. I didn't go to prom."

"Why?"

"Didn't have a date."

"If I hadn't been such an idiot, I would have asked you."

The wineglass halted halfway to her lips before she returned it to the table. With her fingertips she edged the glass farther away. "I'm sorry. I've been talking too much. This isn't about me. It isn't about prom or spoiled teenagers. We're here to talk about Nicole."

Maybe, but he definitely noted something in her words and tone. Although she'd never admit it, she felt left out having missed one of the traditions of the high school years.