Page 24 of Tangled with the Tight End

My heart lodges in my throat. “Why would he do that?” The blood pumping in my ears makes it hard to hear her response. Is he planning to retire? Would he move here? That would change everything.

“Marco says he’s hurt his knee several times, and it’s about time for him to think about his future. Especially after what Sloane put him through. He’s going to push him to consider it while he’s here. The last thing we want to see is him permanently injured. He’s made decent money, and this is a great place to live.”

Never mind. It’s not Gabriel who wants to hang up his helmet. It’s his brother, and we know how well family interference works at getting someone to do something. My momentary, soaring heart crashes to the ground.

eleven

GABRIEL

After layingGino down for his nap, I ring my agent, Hudson Tate, hoping to catch him before Thanksgiving break, and before my parents arrive in town. I’m excited to see them but also not looking forward to the grilling over Sloane and I’s relationship.

“What’s up?” My agent’s voice greets me warmly and pushes away the thoughts of twenty questions.

“Good. Here in Evergreen Lake visiting my brother and his wife.” And Norah. The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I bite them back just in time. Norah isn’t part of the equation, and I can’t afford for her to be.

“Sounds like a beautiful place.”

“It is.” I pause.

I’m not speaking in platitudes. Evergreen Lake is beautiful, and the locals are welcoming. I see why my brother visited and decided to stay once his football career was over. The view from the mountain of the town below is breathtaking, and the small-town vibe is like stepping into a painting and living in a place where violence and crime don’t exist.

But I’m not Marco. I’m not giving up my career for a woman. Granted, he never loved football with the same passion I did, but to retire instead of seeking out that last contract? Foolish.

“Great news.” A small doe darts across the road below the lodge. Its brown fur glows in the bright sunshine. Has Norah already delivered goods to the shop? Gino had a fitful sleep, so by the time he was up, and I finished my workout, it was too late to try and catch her.

Maybe I should call her and see what she’s doing today? We could walk to Read Between the Wines again or stroll to the lake. Gino would enjoy that. What’s wrong with me? I’m not her responsibility to entertain.

“The team looked at your last doctor’s visit report and said it’s time for you to come in and visit with the team’s doctors. They didn’t say it, but I think you’ll be back on the field by the middle of December. Maybe even as quickly as next week.”

Before Christmas? Next week? My stomach clenches as I rake my hand through my hair. When did I start envisioning spending Christmas here and not back in Kansas City with the team? My goal from the second my injury occurred was to get back on the field as soon as possible. If not sooner.

“That’s great news.” Shit. What am I going to do with Gino? Mom and Dad are taking a cruise Sunday afternoon, so they can’t follow me back. My gaze lands on my son, who’s peacefully sleeping on the sofa. I was a selfish jackass not to demand Sloane move with me. She probably would’ve still cheated on me, but I’d have been able to watch Gino grow.

“Yes, it is. I need you there on Monday morning at 9 o’clock for the visit. The doctor will look you over, and you’ll receive word on your return date.’

Sweat pops on my back as I pace in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, turn, and march back to the Christmas tree. I have no one to watch Gino when we move back, and he’s beentied up in knots about the Christmas festival that starts on the 6th. He can’t wait to see Santa, skate on the pond that Norah took us to, and fully expects presents to be piled up under this tree on Christmas morning.

Hell, I don’t have anywhere for him to go on Monday when I fly into Kansas City for the day. Fuck. It’s not that I want Sloane around, but if she lived in the city, it would be easier to co-parent. Remember, she skipped town and hasn’t been in touch. She doesn’t appear all that into co-parenting.

“I’ll be there.” What in the fuck am I supposed to do with a 3-year-old when I’m back with the team. Even during home games, we stay in a hotel the day before to avoid the distractions of friends and family so we can focus solely on our upcoming opponent.

I shove my cell phone into my pocket. Things are about to get complicated.

A knock at the door gives me a momentary reprieve from figuring out what in the hell I’ve gotten myself into. Gino stirs in his sleep, slinging his arm over his face, and my heart skids to a stop.

I’ve woken up in that same position more times than I can count. My son. He’s my son, and I’ll figure it out. There are nanny companies, who only hire professionals and lots of the guys have kids. I’m not one man on an island. I straighten my shoulders and track to the door as the knocks continue. I’ve got this.

When I swing the door open, I’m greeted by my parents, who weren’t due for another couple of hours.

“Hey, Son.” My dad beams and encircles me in a bear hug.

“Hey, Pop.” I clap his back and take in the familiar scent of his aftershave. The same one he’s used for as long as I can remember.

Tears fill my mom’s eyes as she clutches her chest. “It’s so good to see you.”

I let go of my dad and envelope my mom to my chest. She’s right. It’s good to see them. For a moment, I close my eyes and drift back ten years to when I still saw them all the time. I was prepping for college graduation, and Marco was following two years behind.

Then I was drafted to Chicago, and they all stayed in Texas. I was the oldest, and he was the baby. I was supposed to know what I was doing. I had no idea.

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