“You did?”
Seth bobbed his head. “An autobiography. My life in the NFL, how being injured changed me, but how I still persevered. I got a publishing deal.”
“You got a publishing deal? That’s why you couldn’t make it to the wedding?”
His brother smiled. “Yeah, I met them in person. They loved it, and they want to put together a book tour.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I felt embarrassed. Has-been NFL player trying to get back on his feet. I wanted to make the town proud again.”
“We’ll always be proud.”
****
Cole clinked his glass with his brother at PV’s Bar & Grill. After taking a gulp, his bottle thumped on the bar once he placed it down.
“So, Brian called her?” Seth asked. Then he took a seasoned fry in his mouth.
“You sure you don’t mind—”
Seth raised his hand to ward off his comment. “It’ll take time, but I’ll be fine. You weren’t the only one who grew up. Life’s too short to wallow.”
Cole cracked a smile.
“So, Brian called?”
“Yeah, and I panicked and left. She called, and I missed them. I haven’t called her back.”
His brother scrunched his eyebrows. “Why not?”
“I guess… I don’t want to hear what she has to say.”
“What if its good news? What if she’s through with Brian?” Seth nudged his shoulder. “Take it from someone who’s already lost her. Don’t let her go.”
Cole opened his mouth to respond but stopped. Celeste looked over their way, and her eyes focused on Seth.
“What do you think of Celeste?”
Seth’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”
Cole gestured in her direction, and Seth jerked his head toward her. Celeste settled in a near booth with three other females.
His brother sipped his glass. “Why do you ask?”
“She likes you.”
“Since when?”
He eyed his brother. “You haven’t noticed? I can feel the tension from across the room.”
“We talk now and then in passing but it’s nothing serious.”
“I understand.”
Seth leaned forward and rested his elbows on the bar top. “You want the truth?”
“Yeah.”