All That Remains Page 10

  “Tell your buddies to back off. Now!” Austin sneers into West’s face as the sound of people rushing to them beat against the parking lot pavement.

  As pissed as he is, he doesn’t want his teammates involved, so he shakes his head their way. “Back off guys. You should recognize this guys as my brother.

  If you’re a football player in Texas, you should know what Austin Rutledge looks like and, as they come closer and Austin turns his head offering them a slight sneer, they slow up and confirm his identity.

  “Now, you listen to me, little bro,” Austin growls menacingly into West’s face. “I let you get in one hit a few weeks ago and I let you pin me to my car without a fight, but that’s it. Got it? We’re done.”

  “Are you sleeping with her?” West growls back.

  “What if I am?”

  The visual those four words give West makes his stomach churn and fuels his rage. He pushes off his truck with a Herculean effort, freeing his arms and throwing Austin back. They grab at each other, grappling for position, as fists are thrown randomly at each other.

  “Are you kidding me? How could you? What were you thinking?” West chokes out each phrase between punches. The pain of knowing she’s been touched by anyone is overwhelming, but his own brother? That’s unbearable.

  “We haven’t.”

  “It’s like you’ve taken a knife and stabbed me in the back!”

  “We haven’t, man.”

  “You don’t love her. You don’t need her like I do -”

  “West! I haven’t,” Austin shouts again, elbowing West in the ribs to get out of the headlock he’s currently in. “West! We’re not together.”

  Austin’s arguments reach West’s ears and his grip loosens. “What?”

  Spreading his arms wide, Austin lets go of West and steps back. The move is one of surrender and they’ve done it millions of times growing up. It lets West know he is safe to back off, as well, and he drops his arms. Austin shakes himself out as he falls against the side of the truck straightening his crooked shirt.

  “Nothing to see here people, just a little brotherly love,” he quips at the small crowd gathered around them. He prays nobody has a phone out to record their little episode. All they need is for it to end up all over social media.

  West ignores the crowd, “You’re not together?”

  “No, we’re not. I was just pushing you.”

  “Pushing me? You were just pushing me! What the actual fu-”

  “Dude, unless you want to end up on ESPNU tonight, I suggest we take this conversation elsewhere,” Austin mutters, his face still wreathed in a smile for the curious on-lookers.

  Sure enough, they are the main attraction right now and, as much as West would prefer to tell them all to go to hell, he is well aware of how important a players public image means come draft and recruiting time. With his trying to get a spot on A&M next year and Austin entering the draft, they can’t screw up any more than they already have today.

  “Hug it out,” Austin whispers under his breath and the two play nice. Austin tells West to follow him around the corner and ruffles his hair for good measure.

  The move infuriates him, but he smiles anyway and calls out to his teammates. “See you boys bright and early in the weight room on Monday, right?” Grumbles follow him as he climbs into the truck and follows Austin out of the football facility.

  * * *

  They’re not together? The statement replays in his mind the entire five minute drive from the stadium to a shopping center located right off campus where Austin pulls in and parks in a vacant corner of the lot. Austin signals for him to stay in the truck and he jumps in.

  “It’s hot as hell out there. Can we talk in here and not be tempted to punch each other?”

  “That depends on what you have to say.”

  He watches his older brother shake his head, a smile tugging on his lips. “I ran into her at a party back on the first of July. Actually, I ran to her.” West glares and Austin explains. “Groupies were on my tail all night, so I finally gave into this one chick, but after twenty minutes I was in dire need of saving. In comes Jules. She was shocked when she saw me, but she was a good sport. She covered for me and then proceeded to give me all kinds of hell for using her.”

  “Have you touched her?” West asks quietly, looking out the windshield.

  “Let me explain the situation-”

  “Did. You. Touch. Her?” he asks again annunciating each word clearly. Until this one question is answered, he can’t concentrate on anything else.

  Austin shook his head. “Not in any way that should worry you.”

  “Austin.”

  “I’ve held her hand, I’ve slow danced with her, hugged her closely. That’s it.”

  “Then why’d you lead me to think differently? What about that damn morning I called and she answered your phone? At six-thirty in the morning.”

  “Can I explain it now?” Austin asks and West nods as relief floods him knowing they haven’t slept together.

  “I started to fall for her, West. I didn’t mean for it to happen, it just did. She chatted with me at that party and I took her to lunch a few days later and we clicked.” West bites his tongue as he listens to Austin explain. “She liked me for me and we could talk football and school. We had a good time together. I started helping her with some workouts and we spent so much time together. I couldn’t help it.”

  West doesn’t need Austin to explain his reasoning where Jules is concerned. He has first-hand experience in how easy she is to fall in love with.

  “What do you mean you helped her with workouts?”

  “She hadn’t been doing her PT here when we first started to hang out, so I offered to help her. What’s another work out, right?”

  It’s exactly something West would have done and he found himself begrudgingly glad his brother had been there for her when he wasn’t.

  “So why are you here now? What happened?”

  “The inevitable. We both knew it wasn’t going to happen between us. I knew I wasn’t the Rutledge she wanted. Even if she were over you, what were we going to do? Rub it in your face? Neither of us wanted to hurt you, and as much as you’ve tried to tell everyone you’re okay, I know you’re lying.”

  “We haven’t spoken or seen each other in weeks,” West points out, irritated with Austin’s insinuation that he knows everything about West’s feelings.

  “I have my sources. You think running yourself into the ground is fooling anyone? None of us buy the act. Besides, I didn’t have to see it to know it was fake. Remember when Lauren cheated on me in high school?” West nods. “I did the same thing, remember? I threw myself into the game and school. Anything to get her off my mind. When Carson told me about your three runs a day, I knew exactly what you were doing.”

  “So, you were never with her? At all?”

  Austin chuckles lightly. “Not at all. It was more of a comforting relationship than a romantic one. Here’s the truth though, bro. I love her, too. I love her enough to give her what she wants.”

  “You love her?”

  “Yeah, I love her, but I’m not in love with her. I was confused and tired and she came along. When I say I love her, I mean I care about her. As a friend, as someone who I want to see happy. You need to call her, West, before you lose her for good.”

  “I lost her a long time ago.”

  “No, you haven’t. Not yet. Your mind has entertained the idea of getting her back all this time. I know it has, we all know it. But, you’re scared.”

  He opens his mouth to argue and Austin stops him. “Don’t bother trying to convince me I’m wrong. Dr. Steel has you putting all your energy into football. How much did you tell her about Jules? Does she know Jules is the only thing since mom’s death to make you truly smile?”

  “She knows… but I can’t build my happiness on a person.”

  “Is that Doctor speak?”

  “Mumbo jumbo? Yeah it is,” West relents and he can�
��t help but ask, “Does she hate me?”

  “We don’t talk about you. From the first night, that was her rule, and for the most part we followed it.”

  “For the most part?”

  “There were a few fights. The morning you called being one of them.” West’s eyes narrow and Austin smiles. “Did I not just tell you we were never together? I fell asleep in her room. Nothing else.”

  West accepts his explanation as Austin types a message into his phone. He checks the clock on his truck and realizes he’s already late for dinner. “You’re coming to dinner with us, right?”

  There’s hesitation in his brother’s face that speaks of secrecy, but he doesn’t ask when Austin declines. “Nah, I’ve got a thing to go to.” He pops open the door. “You’ve been playing one hell of a game on the field Rutledge. A&M should be impressed.”

  “Thanks, man.” He smiles, pride filling him at his brother’s words.

  After the door closes, he hits the window down button before Austin opens his car door. “Hey Austin, will you keep an eye on her tonight?”

  Austin doesn’t deny he’ll be seeing her and they exchange glances.

  “What do you think I’ve been doing, bro?” He moves back to West’s window and leans onto the frame. “I won’t be able to hold the wolves off for long, though. You need to make a decision.”

  Make a decision. West doesn’t have to ask what he means by that; he knows. Put up or shut up.

  “I know,” he says with a sigh. Then, swallowing his pride, he admits, ”You’re right. I’m scared.”

  “You’re a Rutledge. We’re not scared of anything.”

  And that’s the truth. Except for one extremely important detail.

  “Not until her, man. Not until her.”

  Seventeen

  Jules

  “There’s a rumor floating around that you’re not actually dating Austin, Is that true?” slurs the frat boy who’s been bumping into her side as he leans up against the wall next to her. She recalls his face from the last time they’d met, but doesn’t remember his name and doesn’t bother to ask since she could care less.

  “Really?” she drawls, feigning interest in all things rumor-related.

  “Yep. So, why won’t you dance with me?”

  “Nah, I’m good, thanks though.” She’s declined his request at least five times in the last ten minutes and yet he keeps asking between taking swigs of whatever fills his cup and elaborating on his summer adventures.

  “C’mon, are you just a tease, like all of those other chicks?”

  She resists the urge to outright laugh in his face and maneuvers herself out of the corner he’s backed her into. “I’m not a tease, I don’t want to dance. I’m gonna go get a drink.”

  His hand catches her forearm, his fingers digging in perhaps a little too forcibly. “Let me,” he offers and she opens her mouth to argue before conceding and watching him drift into the crowd.

  The moment he disappears, heading toward the kitchen, she hurries from the corner and loses herself in the crowd. Pulling out her phone, she shoots another message to Austin as she slips by a couple going at it against the wall that leads to a hallway and out the back door. His first text had indicated he was on his way nearly forty minutes ago, yet he is still MIA.

  Jules: WHERE ARE YOU?

  She steps outside and finds the patio crowded with people standing around chatting. Jules smiles at those she recognizes, and lingers to make small chat, all the while looking at her phone waiting for a reply. The end of September Texas air is muggy, as usual, and she secures her long hair in a bun to cool off her neck.

  “What’s with the shouty caps?” Austin’s voice teases in her ear and she whirls around taking in his casual A&M athletic shirt and shorts. He grins as his eyes watch her fasten her hair.

  “Can’t reply back? Where have you been all day?”

  “I was driving. It’s illegal to text and drive, you know that.” He pokes at her ribs while her hands are occupied with the lose strands of hair around her neck. “Why? You miss me that much?”

  “No, I just need you to keep the wolves away,” she replies, giving him the same reply he gave at their first party together.

  His face darkens subtly. “Having trouble with your harem, princess?”

  Jules breaks into laughter, “Uh, I don’t think girls have harems. Or at least this girl doesn’t.”

  “You don’t swing that way, huh?” He winks, a devilish grin taking over the frown that was there a moment earlier.

  “Wow, um… no, I don’t. Although boys are way more trouble than necessary. Maybe I should reconsider?”

  His arm slings around her shoulders and he presses a kiss to the top of her head. “First, I’d pay good money to see you swing just that way. Second, maybe you’ve been dealing with the wrong guys?”

  “Well, the last one was a Rutledge, so you tell me… do you think I’m dealing with the wrong guys?” The question slips out and she curses herself for mentioning West.

  “Do you honestly want me to answer that?”

  Yes! her heart screams. “No,” she replies instead and shakes her head knowing she already knows the answer to her own question.

  “Then take me to find your roomies. I need to meet Jess still.”

  “You’re not hitting on Jess,” Jules warns, tugging his arm off of her shoulders. “It’s so hot. You’ve got to get off of me.”

  “Hey, wait,” he calls after her as she starts to walk back to the house. “Why can’t I hit on Jess? She’s single, right?”

  “Yes, and she’s my friend and I have enough problems with you Rutledge boys without you breaking her heart and having to listen to her cry.”

  “Ye of little faith. Do you not trust me?”

  “No.”

  It’s hotter inside than out and Jules struggles to breath. The scent of beer, sweat, and heavy perfume fills the house. A dash of sex rounds out the aroma and she’s ready to leave. Austin’s hand is resting lightly on her shoulder as she leads the way through the melee of students enjoying the party.

  The summer parties she’d been to had nothing on this one. They were typically smaller crowds, local students or the very few who were taking summer courses. She’s sort of sad to see how much the new influx of students changes things. Nothing about being at this crowded party feels fun to her. She starts to feel claustrophobic as she squeezes through.

  “Jules!” Jess’ shouts reach Jules over the din and she looks about to pinpoint Jess’ location. Jess is winding through a break in the crowd leading to the open front door and they reach the exit at the same time, escaping the inferno together.

  “Phew! It’s like a sauna in there.” Her cheeks are red, her dark hair damp and stringy around her face.

  “Where’s Katie?” Jules asks.

  “Jeff showed up and she left with him. She told me to tell you to look for the sign.” Jess waggles her brows, making air quotes around ‘look for the sign’.

  That bit of news effectively means Jules is kicked out of her room for a few hours. She gives Jess a pleading look.

  “Don’t look at me that way. Of course you can come back to my room. I’ve got extra blankets.” She turns to Austin, standing behind Jules, with a flirtatious smile. “And I finally get to meet the legendary Austin Rutledge.”

  “That’s me.”

  “Cocky, like your brother, I see.”

  “It’s a Rutledge trait,” Jules hints as she fans herself. The heat is oppressive and she feels miserable. “Lord have mercy, we need an ice bath tonight.”

  “You going soft after all the workouts in the air conditioned student gym, Blacklin?” Austin teases.

  “Hey! I remember all too well what cheer camp in August felt like and that is why I choose to be inside now.”

  “Oh… me too,” Jess adds, tugging on her own shirt and fanning her stomach. “You want to head out then?” she asks, and Jules has to admit that she is more than ready to head back to the dorms and take
a cold shower. The need for the shower is not strong enough to balance out the need for not wanting to hear Katie and Jeff though.

  “Think we should give the lovebirds a little more alone time?” she replies instead, waving at a girl from one of her classes behind Jess’ back.

  “You want to cool off?” Austin asks them, and he nods in that way of his that says he has a plan.

  Jess and Jules exchange looks. “What do you have in mind?”

  “C’mon, I’ve got just the thing. Let’s drop your car back at the dorm and I’ll drive.”

  “Drive where,” Jules asks skeptically as Jess jumps at the cryptic offer.

  “Jules Blacklin, have I not taught you anything in the past few months? You want to cool off, we’re going to cool off.”

  Jess claps her hands with a squeal and Jules almost dies of a heart attack right there. Jess is not a squealer, or a clapper. Half the time she’s shocked Jess was even a cheerleader when they met. She gives in to her friend’s enthusiasm, with a warning for Austin, as they leave to find their cars.

  “This better not be illegal.”

  * * *

  Less than ten minutes later, they’re in Austin’s little sports car cruising down the back roads towards the house he shares with his brothers. The radio is blaring and Jules, being the good friend she is, is sitting in the back seat to allow Austin and Jess to chat and get to know each other.

  She listens over the music as they make some small talk. She was only half serious when she asked Austin not to hit on Jess. Truth is, he’s a great guy. She’s not worried he’ll screw her over so much as him not having time for her. He’s been immersed in football twenty out of twenty-four hours a day for the past three weeks. The NCAA might have limits on how much time players can train during the week, but players do not have any such limit. She understands this, Austin told her himself before the season started how crazy things would get for him. A&M is expected to make a run for the championship and Austin has a good chance of being drafted if he decides to enter a year early. He doesn’t have time to work on a relationship right now; most collegiate players don’t.