CHANGING THE PLAYER: Charleston Pirates #1 by Chance, Jacob (digital e reader TXT) 📕

bother him in case he was busy, but it’s been almost twenty-four hours since we’ve spoken. I need to know he’s okay.

I call his number and it rings, once, twice, three times and he answers. “Hello.” His voice is hoarse.

“Flynn, are you okay?”

“Who’s this?” he asks.

Wait a minute. Is he slurring?

“It’s Nadia.”

“Oh, hey, Nadia.”

“Flynn, I haven’t heard from you all day.”

“I’ve been busy.”

Busy drowning your sorrows? I want to spit those words out, but I don’t. I won’t be spiteful when he’s doing the best he can to deal with the death of his grandfather. Or to not deal with it. I guess it depends on who you ask.

“I know, which is why I waited until now to call you.”

“Do you need somefin’?” he asks. Fuck. He’s really banged up.

“Where are you?” I ask.

“At some bar with my new friend.” New friend? What does that mean?

“How are you getting home?”

“Kendra is coming to get me. Or maybe I’ll let my new friend take me home.”

“If your new friend has been drinking, that’s not a good idea. You should call Kendra.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna embarrassss you.”

“Who said anything about that? I just want you to be safe.” I hear voices in the background and he says something to them I can’t quite understand.

“I gotta go.”

“Where are you going?” I ask, worried.

“Not sure. Bye, Nadia.”

“Flynn,” I shout, but he’s gone. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. This isn’t good. This isn’t good at all. He’s out in a bar in Boston, drunk off his ass, and I’m not with him to make sure he gets home safely. If he’s not careful, he’ll lose his job over this. I don’t think Ed’s going to care that his bender was motivated by his grandfather’s passing.

What should I do? Should I fly up there? No, I’m being ridiculous. He’s a grown man and he can take care of himself.

Are you sure about that? This is Flynn. I might be in love with the guy, but I still recognize his shortcomings. While he’s this upset about losing his grandfather, it’s not the time to test his decision-making ability.

But I don’t even know for sure where he’s staying. He was planning on staying with his parents, but that could’ve changed by now. And Kendra is with him. Wouldn’t she make sure he doesn’t get into trouble? I guess there’s one way I can find out. I pull up Kendra’s name in my contact list and call her.

“Hello.”

“Kendra, it’s Nadia.”

“Hey, what’s up?”

“I’m sorry about your grandfather.”

“Thank you. It’s been rough.”

“Yeah, I can imagine. That’s kind of what I'm calling you about. Have you any idea where Flynn might be?”

“I dropped him off at a bar a few hours ago.”

“And you didn’t stay with him?” My voice climbs higher with each word.

“No, why would I?”

“Kendra, your brother is grieving.”

“Yes, and so am I.”

“I know you are, but you don’t have the self-destructive streak that your brother does. I just spoke to him and he’s trashed. He was talking about his new friend and having them drive him home. I don’t think that sounds like a good idea.”

“Oh crap. I’ll go get him.”

“He’s probably going to need you to look out for him while he’s up there. Your grandfather meant a lot to him. We both know how Flynn deals with problems.”

“He makes new ones?” Kendra asks.

“Bingo. And if he makes new ones, or even a single one, he’s going to lose his job. He’s already been warned by Mr. Benson.”

“Oh fuck. I’ll call you when I have him in my car.”

“Thanks.”

“Bye.”

I fall onto my back on the couch and groan. Why does Flynn have to be so complicated?

Why can’t he just do what he’s supposed to?

Is it too much to ask that he not be self-destructive?

I know he’s sad about his grandfather, but ruining his own life isn’t going to help him move beyond it. He’ll just be ashamed of his behavior as well as sad about his grandpa. Why can’t he realize this on his own? I don’t want to be his voice of reason.

I’m coming to the realization I’ve got my work cut out for myself with Flynn. If we’re going to have a future, I need to accept him the way he is. He may never be the kind of man who makes solid decisions in a crisis.

Am I okay with being the bug in his ear reminding him to make good choices and do the responsible thing?

* * *

My phone alerts me of a text from Kendra and I open it up.

Kendra: Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. He wasn’t being cooperative and I had to call in reinforcements.

Me: What does that mean?

Kendra: I called up a friend of his and had him come to the bar. Together we convinced him to leave and I brought him back to my parents’ house. Oh, and my parents are really pleased about his behavior too.

This whole situation saddens me. He’s been doing so well. I can’t help but partly blame myself for not being there for him. If I had, he wouldn’t have spent the night at a bar. I could’ve talked him off the ledge.

Me: Did he get into any trouble?

Kendra: Not that I could see.

Me: Thank God for that.

Kendra: I’ve gotta go take a shower and wash the bar smell off me.

Me: Thanks for the update and for getting him.

Kendra: I shouldn’t have dropped him off, I guess.

Me: That’s not your fault. He’s an adult.

Kendra: He’s supposed to be anyway. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Me: Yes, please keep me up to date. Night.

I’m less anxious now that I know Flynn is safely at home. It sounds like nothing outrageous took place. His job should still be secure. I’ll talk to him tomorrow and make sure he’s in a better head space. If he isn’t, I’ll fly up there to be the shoulder he needs to lean on.

* * *

I’m sipping my first cup of coffee in the morning