Page 153 of It's Always Us

Linda stares at it as moisture collects in her eyes. “Why are you here?”

I shift in the metal chair, trying to get comfortable when nothing is anymore. I get right to the point. There’s no sugarcoating it. “You’re likely in here for the next ten years. Bree will be an adult by then. You’ve givenher years of happy memories to carry with her.” I pause, letting that sink in. “You’ve never given Mark a single one. You can change that.”

Her eyes morph back into that hardened, shutdown state. But I don’t care. Mark came back for me despite leaving and letting him believe I never cared. He put his heart on the line. He gave me a chance, even though losing would have likely broken his heart worse than the first time.

“You need to turn over your rights. Any day, Mark is going to get a call from a team wanting to sign him. He’s not going unless Bree and I go with him. This is your chance to put your son first. He needs to get out of here and away from everything that haunts him. Football saved him.”

I match her cold, guarded stare. “This is your chance to put him first. For once, do what you’veneverdone for him.”

A tear runs down her sunken cheek. “And I’m just supposed to let you take off with Bree. She’s not yours.”

“Like it or not, she’s with us and will have a life full of love.” I pause. “Youare her mom. She’ll never forget that.”

An officer strolls over. “Times about up.”

Grandpa’s hand rests on the back of my chair. “He’s never asked you for a single thing, and he never will. I’m asking you. He’s suffered enough.”

Her hands raise together to swipe at a rogue tear, and then she stands. She grips Bree’s drawing and follows the officer without another word.

I slump in defeat.

“Come on, Pal. Your time is up, too.” He holds out his hand to help me up. “I went against all sound judgment today and brought you here. Now, you owe me a burger and milkshake without a side of lecture.” I roll my eyes at him as I slowly waddle myself out. “And if I’m in deep shit with Mark over this, you’ll be buying my milkshakes and burgers daily.”

I swing my arm through his, holding on tight. “You’re the best Grandpa.”

“Are you telling me that because you know I’m about to get my ass chewed by your hyper-vigilant husband?”

“No. I’m telling you because it’s the truth.” I squeeze his arm. “But you might have to deal with Mark’s overprotective, slightly obnoxious reprimand.”

“Awe, shit. I can’t handle that. I’ll have to move into the shop.’

I laugh as he pushes the door open, and we make our way to his truck. “Do you think it made any difference?”

Grandpa’s eyes drift around the parking lot, and he shakes his head. “I don’t know, Pal, but you made one hell of a case. No mother could walk away and not think about it. Linda’s got a good heart. Shame, regret, no self-worth . . . They’re like gasoline in a Styrofoam cup. They’ll rot you from the inside out. It’s why she’s here.” He offers his hand to help me in. “But I have no doubt she’ll be doing a lot of thinking aboutbothof her kids.”

Chapter 50

MARK

I pull into the shop parking lot next to Cal’s dually and down the rest of my Gatorade. My phone buzzes in the cup holder. Rob.Shit.

I close my eyes, debating whether I want to know what he has to say. My fingers itch to grab it and find out if there’s a deal waiting on the other end, but turning down an offer will be like walking into a pool without knowing how to swim. A slow and painful death to a dream I wasn’t done living.

My hyperactive tendencies override my senses, and my hand reaches for my phone, hitting the speaker button.

“Damn, Mark. I don’t get paid enough for this.” He lets out a breath. “The one time I need you to answer your phone, and it takes a million years.”

“It was five rings.”

“You sitting down?”

“I’m not sure I’m ready for whatever has you all worked up.”

He quiets. “Believe me. You want to hear this.”

I’m pretty sure that’s not true.

“Denver laid out a deal, and when I say deal, I mean it makes what the Liberties were offering look like the clearance section at Walmart. They want you, and they’re bringing it.”

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