Page 154 of It's Always Us

I knew I didn’t want to hear this. My heart pumps a little faster as if it has something to hope for.

“Mark, I heard you loud and clear, but you’d be a complete fool not to seriously consider this. I want to think we can figure out something that will work for your family.”

My family.Dammit.I run a hand through my damp hair. “Rob—”

“Mark, hear me out.”

My jaw clenches while Rob runs through the deal of a lifetime, and he’s not wrong about it making the offer from the Liberties look like chump change.

I inhale long and slow, staring in my rearview at the shop behind me. Lex is inside, likely doing something she shouldn’t be. How could I walk away again?

“Rob, my babies are coming. I won’t miss that. Bree needs me, and she has to remain here. I can’t—”

“Mark, just sleep on it.” His voice is soft now, almost like he’s begging.

I fist my hands, wanting to punch myself for answering this call. My insides wage war with wanting to sign on the dotted line and be with the ones I need.

Rob has fought for Shane, Sean, and me more than most would have. I have to at least give him this and suffer the horrendous torture of letting the offer dangle before me like water to a dehydrated, starving man.

“Ok,” I say, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tight it’ll leave indentations on my palms.

“They’d send a plane to get all the paperwork out of the way.” He pauses, and I know whatever he says next will make me want to ram my head into the brick wall behind me. “Camp starts next week.”

“Shit, Rob. What the hell?!”

“I know,” he says like it will somehow make being ripped down the middle better. “They’ve got plans, and they’re being aggressive. Just . . . think about it and call me in the morning.”

I rest my head on the seat.Just think about it. Yeah, freaking right.

“Mark, you’re one of the best players I’ve ever seen. The way you read the field is unmatched. I want you to take this deal. You’re nowhere near done yet, but . . . if this is the end, you can walk away with your head held high, and I’ll respect the hell out of you for putting your family first.”

I close my eyes as I end the call. My lungs squeeze tight, and I fumble for the button to crack the window to get some air.

I’m not ready for this to be the end.

The truth singes the edges of reality, burning a hole straight through me. I force some deep breaths.

There’s a tap on the window, and I jump, smacking my head on the ceiling. Cal stands on the other side, laughing so hard I think he might keel over. His face is red, and his deep chuckle carries throughout the entire parking lot.

“You all right, son?” The old man grins.

“No, not now that you made me shit myself.”

He laughs some more. “I thought maybe you were sleeping. You need to get in there and get my granddaughter off the floor. I’m pretty sure she’s about to flip me off.”

I collect myself, momentarily brought back to the present and out of my complete mental freak out. “And you think I’ll get a better response?” I grab my phone and push the door open.

“Use your powers of persuasion, boy,” he demands, climbing in his truck.

I step into the shop, and Lex is leaning over, inspecting something under a hood. She straightens and pauses, holding her belly. She’s having one of those false contractions, but it’s enough to cause her brow to furrow.

When she notices me, her mouth creeps upward into a full smile, and the chaos pulsing through me calms.

I raise my hand, using my pointer finger to call her to me. One light eyebrow hitches up slightly before she surrenders. Her arms slide around my middle, and her head rests against my chest.

“What are you doing?” I press my lips to the top of her head.

“Helping.” She draws out the word.

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