Page 46 of Pieces

What if I can’t make this work? What if I can’t balance football, school, and being a dad? Worse…what if I don’t make it to the NFL at all? The idea of peaking in college and being some washed-up nobody terrifies me. That’s not what I want for Daphne, and it’s sure as hell not what I want for my kid.

My stomach twists as I keep walking, my legs heavy but my mind racing. I’ve always known football wasn’t forever. Even if I made it pro, the clock on that career runs out fast. I’ve thought about what might come after—maybe coaching, maybe broadcasting—but that always felt like a “someday” problem. Something future Hudson could deal with.

But now? Someday feels a hell of a lot closer.

Daphne’s face flashes in my mind, how her voice cracked when she told me, how her hands gripped her sweater so tightly I thought she might tear it. She was terrified. Just like me. But she wasn’t running, and she wasn’t backing down. She’s staying. She’s doing this.

And so am I.

Before I realize it, I’m outside Jay’s building. I’ve left my dorm key in my gym bag, which—damn it—is still in Daphne’s room. Shit. Pulling out my phone, I send Jay a quick text, silently praying he’s home and hasn’t gone out with the team.

A few seconds later, my phone buzzes, and I answer with a swipe.

“I was too lazy to text back. Where’s your key?”

“Long story. You home, though? Can you let me in?”

There’s a rustle on his end before he answers. “Be there in two minutes.”

By the time Jay appears, it feels like I’ve been standing there for hours. As soon as I see him, all the air leaves my lungs. I lean forward, gripping the doorframe to steady myself.

“Whoa, whoa,” he says, reaching out to steady me despite being shorter. “What happened? Did someone spike your drink at a party? The guys said you weren’t out, but did you do something stupid?”

Shaking my head, my grip falters as Jay guides me inside the building. “It’s not that,” I manage, my voice shaky. “It’s... God, I don’t even know how to say this.”

Jay practically props me up as we make our way to his room. “Okay, let’s sit before you keel over,” he says, swiping his card against the door. The beep feels muffled, like it’s coming from miles away.

Once we’re inside, I drop onto the edge of his bed, my head falling into my hands. My throat feels like it’s closing up, and the pressure behind my eyes builds.

Jay crouches in front of me, his hands braced on his knees, his voice softer now. “Hudson, talk to me.”

I glance up at him as my vision blurs. “Daphne,” I choke out. “She’s pregnant.”

Jay’s eyes widen, and his jaw drops slightly. I can practically see the words forming and disappearing in his head. “Fuck,” he says, sitting back on his heels.

I nod, my hands digging into my thighs as I stare at the floor. “Yeah. And it’s mine. She told me tonight.”

Jay blows out a long breath, then starts pacing the room. “Fuck.”

Leaning back against the wall, I let out a dry laugh. He doesn’t swear often, so twice in as many minutes, things must be bad. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, Jay. She’s scared, I’m scared... I told her I’d be there, but—” My voice cracks, and I stop, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes. “What if I just screw it all up? It’s not like I’ve had the best role model.”

Jay knows the story. “Hudson,” he says, his voice firm but kind. “Look, this is a lot, right, I get that. Jesus.” Eyes on mine, he sighs. “But you know why I give you shit, right? Because I’ve seen you screw up before. But this? I don’t want you to look back and regret not stepping up for something this big. You can do this. You’re a better man than you think. You’re a better man than him.”

I let out a shaky breath, trying to take in his words. Am I a better man? I want to be. I think I can be for her. Jay has always been there, through every dumb decision, every failed plan, every hookup gone wrong. But this isn’t just another one of my messes. I can tell he knows that too, even if he doesn’t say it.

The silent belief in me was what I didn’t know I needed.

“Thanks, Jay.”

He smirks faintly. “Anytime. But, uh, you might want to start thinking about how to tell your mom.”

My stomach drops. “Oh, God.”

With a laugh, he pats my shoulder. “And after that, Coach.”

“Fuuuuck.”

Chapter twenty-one

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