Page 21 of Second Shot

“What are you going todo?”

“I don’t know. But I’m not letting her keep my kid fromme.”

He winces, shaking his head. “I know you’ve had feelings for Brynne for a long time,but-”

“This has nothing to do with feelings. It has to do withresponsibility.”

Hegrunts.

“What?”

“Just don’t let her fuck with your head. I care about the girl, too. But she’s always had her head stuck up her ass where you’re concerned. I don’t know why you don’t just tell her the damntruth.”

“You knowwhy.”

“Bullshit reason, bro. You think it’s what Sam would have wanted? Her hating you because he was off hismeds-”

“Don’t.”

With a shake of his head, he stands. “I just don’t want to see you gethurt…”

I hear the word he doesn’t say.Again.

“What? You think I should just forget about her, forget that she had my kid? ‘Cause there’s no way in hell I’m doingthat.”

“That’s not what I meant.” He pushes his hair off his forehead before placing his goalie mask back on. “I’m just saying take itslow.”

I watch him leave, then mutter under my breath when he’s gone, “I’ve never done anything slow in my life, and I have no intention of startingnow.”

Chapter 6

Brynne

I’ve never beena cruel person, or at least I didn’t think I was. Not until I saw the look in Kane’s eyes when he realized Noah washis.

I’ll never forget the betrayal that burned in his gaze, the hurt and confusion. I thought I was doing the right thing by not telling him, but maybe I waswrong.

Maybe you’re wrong about a lot ofthings.

I shake the thoughtaway.

Just because Kane didn’t flip out over finding out about Noah, doesn’t make him one of the goodguys.

I wrap my fingers around my cell phone as I pace my small apartment. I’ve debated calling him all day. The team will be leaving tomorrow for an away game. I shouldn’t care. I went a whole year without seeing him; a few days won’t make a difference. I should just let him come to me. I told him my address, so it wouldn’t take much investigative work for him to find out what apartment I’min.

Maybe he won’t come. The whole possessive thing at the cemetery was probably because he was drunk. When he finally sobered up, I’m sure he realized the truth of my words. Noah and I are better off withouthim.

The thought leaves a bitter taste in mymouth.

I walk over to where Noah is sleeping, in the hand-me-down crib I bought from a thrift store, and the bleached-out sheets that once had clowns onit.

It’s not the life I want to give him, but I’ll make it work. On my own. Because despite what my father thinks of me, I’m not some weak, spoiled little girl who needs her daddy’s money tosurvive.

I’m strong. Stronger than he ever gave me credit for. And I don’t need him or Kane interfering in my life. Or my son’s. Their world istoxic.

Money. Fame. Those are just the things people see. But what’s underneath, hidden from the cameras, is something far lessglamorous.

Broken families. Broken promises. Men who think they are gods, who think their actions don’t haveconsequences.

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