The QB & Me

26

Nolan POV

"what's going on?" I asked once Sky hung up the phone, I could tell by her face something was wrong. 

"Cats out of the bag" was all she said, and it took me a second to understand what she meant by that. 

"how do you know?" I asked and moved to pull my phone out of my jeans pocket, and sure enough, my phone had been blown up with notifications. 

"Camry called me, she said it's all over Twitter and Instagram," she claimed.

"Well, how do you feel?" I moved to place my hands on her shoulder.

"I mean I knew it was going to happen, just not so soon," she says.

"I wish there was something I could do to fix this" I felt bad, I mean I like my privacy. 

"I know  I will be okay. I guess you are worth it" She had a slight smile on her face.

"only slightly? Harsh don't you think?" I played into her joke.

"no" she grinned. 

"ohh okay I see how it is, you can start walking any time then" I tease. 

"I would just call a cab" She looked shocked that I mentioned walking.

this made me laugh, I am glad to know she is in okay spirits. 

"I will be right back i am just going to use the bathroom." she gave me a slight smile. and started to head towards the stairs.

I let out a huff and slugged my way into the kitchen, this is not exactly how I wanted people to find out.

"what's wrong?" Mom asked as I pulled my chair out. 

"well apparently someone figured out Sky's name and leaked it out. so now people know it was her." I sighed.

"is that such a bad thing?" Mom questioned.

"kinda Skylar was wanting to do it on her own time, which is understandable," I claimed.

"Where is she anyways?" Jackson added.

"she's just using the bathroom," I said. I knew what I was going to say next might not be good but I didn't care.

"you didn't mention my name to Kennedy did you?" I asked Jackson.

"What! Why would you even ask me that" Jackson looked offended.

"Sorry I am just trying to rule it out as a possibility, I mean she saw Skylar like a day ago. Then today it's all over the internet." I gave my point of view.

"It's the twenty-first century, and there are millions of people in the world. and you want to single out Kennedy? you don't even know her" Jackson scoffed and stood up.

"Jackson" Mom called out but he didnt turn around. then she turns to me.

"was that really needed?'" she gives me a stunned look.

"Maybe I don't know, I can't be the only one to think its timing is kinda weird" I looked to my brothers. 

but they all just sat quiet, and I knew I kinda messed up. I stood up and went to leave, but Skylar came down the stairs. I noticed her eyes were a bit red like she had been crying.

"what's wrong?" I held my arms out as she hit the last step. 

she walked into them right away, "I will be fine." she said.

"I asked what's wrong" I repeat.

she pulled away from me only slightly, "I knew it would happen, I just wanted to wait a bit more." she said.

"I know and I wish we could fix that, but we can't. What can I do to make this better?" I wanted to make her feel better.

"I will be okay, i just needed a bit of a moment." she wiped under her eyes. 

"Okay," I kissed her forehead.

"you okay? you look tense" She moved her hands down my arms.

"ya, I just kinda sort of accused Jackson of something" I cringed.

she gave me a look that meant to continue.

"Well, I thought maybe he mentioned something to Kennedy and she might have been the one to leak this," I admit.

"You didn't" She looked shocked.

and all I could do was nod.

"Nolan Jackson left your name out of the introduction, just said she's dating my brother. did not mention which one. So if it was her, Jackson did not spill the beans." she says and now I feel like a bigger jerk. 

"I will be right back" I kissed her cheek and then rushed out the door. I am pretty sure I knew where he was going.

so I rushed to the barn and saw Cash gone(Jackson's horse). so I quickly tacked up Maverick and started my ride. My brothers and I made a fort of sorts when we were younger. it was like a tree house but on the ground because we were too small to build it in the tree ourselves. and second Mom pretty much forced us to keep it on the ground. This was like our little safe space, we always went there when we were sad or mad as a kid. 

I have not been here in a while, but I can just sense that is where Jackson would be. it was less than a five-minute ride from the house. sure enough, when I rounded the counter, there was Cash tied up to a tree and Jackson sitting on the steps of our fort.

"here to accuse me some more" he scoffed.

"no" I hopped off Maverick and tied him up beside Cash.

I went to sit beside him. " I am sorry" I was.

"you thought I would sell you out like that?" he asked me and I felt horrible.

"no not you, I never meant for it to come off that way. This might sound shallow. But you just don't understand what it's like, people always wanting something from me. or using me to get things, I just wanted this thing between Skylar and me to be that. I didn't want there to be outside noise. and I am sorry I accused you, but I don't know Kennedy and I just assumed the worst in her." I mean I hope he can see my side.

"I mean your right I don't know how that feels. But I mean you really could not have expected to keep her hidden forever? People find things out like this all the time." I know he was right.

"I know I am just an idiot sometimes." I hope he can see I am sorry.

"I know" he was smiling so that must be a good sigh.

"Does she make you happy?" I wanted to know.

"so far she does ya" he admits.

"I am glad, you deserve someone who makes you happy" I wish that on all my brothers no matter how much we raze each other.