THE SECOND GAME WAS WELL UNDER WAY BY THE TIME Gavin joined his dad in the living room.

“Maybe it’s time you stop running away from it and figure it out.” He sure as hell didn’t want to talk about it with his mother. But maybe it had, and he just hadn’t realized it. He’d never wanted that to enter the picture. I guess somewhere along the way something happened.” It was just supposed to be something fun.” “It’s not what I set out to have with Lizzie. “Relationships are always complicated, Gavin.” He inhaled, let it out, closed the grill, and jammed his fingers through his hair. “And you let him continue to do so, with a woman you’ve been seeing and should at least care enough about to defend. “And her doing so means she should be lambasted by your brother just because he carries a grudge?” It’s her job to look out for your career.” “You’re so good at denying how you feel.” His mom tilted her head and gave him her trademark bullshit look. “You’re sure about that? Because from what I’ve seen of the two of you together, it seems to me you do love her.” “So basically you allowed your brother to insult the woman you love, and you didn’t say a word.” That she’s only concerned I’ll be replaced.” “Probably nothing that wasn’t the truth.” “Elizabeth ran out of here, and I’m pretty sure she was crying. Gavin bent his head over the grill and scrubbed. His mother stepped outside, a dish towel in her hand. Only he wasn’t sure which thoughts were the right ones. Then he’d gone inside, leaving Gavin alone out there with his thoughts. Open your eyes and see her for who she really is before she hurts you.” Mick had just stood there and stared at him after Elizabeth ran inside, then said, “You know I’m right about this. She had his professional interests in mind, not his personal ones. And Elizabeth was probably anxious about Gavin missing so many games. Gavin wasn’t ready to go back to the game yet. So f**king typical, wasn’t it? Mick, the big brother, who always knew what was best, right? HE’D STOOD THERE AND listened to Mick make those accusations against Elizabeth and hadn’t said a goddamned word. She should have seen it, should have known.

Changing the game by jaci burton