Page 105 of The Proposal
He chuckles. “She found out the day she got home from Vegas. I found out yesterday.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Marry the fuck out of her.”
I smile so big it hurts. Then reality hits me. I smack him in the arm. “And Renn knew all of this, and I didn’t?”
“He didn’t know about the baby. Just the physical part.”
“Why did he not tell me? Why am I just finding out?”
“I asked him not to,” he says, standing. “I wanted to tell you in person so I could assure you I was okay.” He hugs me again. “You’re kind of my little sister but kind of my kid, too. I want to protect you as much as I can.”
“I know you do. And I appreciate you more than I can ever tell you.”
He rubs the top of my head. I swat his hand away.
“Okay. I have to go file some paperwork with my attorneys,” he says.
“And I need to call my best friend and yell at her for not telling me she’s having my niece or nephew.”
He gives me a wide, genuine smile. “We’re going to be okay. You know that right? Somehow, we made it.”
I give him his smile back.
I hope you’re right, Brock. I really freaking do.
CHAPTER22
Renn
“There you are,” Bill Galecki says, offering me his hand as I enter his office. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
Here we go… I shake his hand. “Yes. Thanks.”
He smiles smugly as he tucks his tie to his chest and sits in his oversized, pompous leather chair. I take my seat across from him. It’s a decidedly smaller, harder, more uncomfortable furniture selection that I would bet my left nut is intentional.
Galecki likes to keep his opposition on edge. And right now, I’m the opponent.
I clear my throat and take in the awards and articles hanging on the wall behind the Royals general manager. It’s impressive and would be intimidating if I was open to that kind of thing.
I’m not. And Galecki knows it.
“Let’s cut to the chase,” he says, his features hardening. “We’ve had quite a week in public relations.”
“Well, marriages are big news. People like to see other people happy.”
He strokes his chin. “Is that what this is, though?”
“Sir, with all due respect, my personal life is none of anyone’s business.”
“Oh, Brewer …” He chuckles, sitting up and planting his arms on his desk. “That’s where you’re wrong.”
My insides tremble with anticipation of this conversation going downhill. I had mediocre hopes when I pulled into the facility this morning. They’ve downgraded as the day has gone on.
Surprise from the medical staff when I showed up for my physical. An offhanded comment from a teammate when I stopped for a coffee at the fuel bar in the cafeteria. The cool response from Galecki’s secretary when I arrived for our meeting.
I wouldn’t be as on edge if I had a plan and knew how to handle what was coming my way. But I don’t. I know there are limits to what I will accept … and I pray we don’t touch them.
