Page 130 of The Proposal
“I’ll note that.” Mom scribbles on the page in front of her. “Jason, is there anything outstanding with Brewer Air? How are things on that front?”
“We’re fine. Dad had little involvement with our operation. We’re good to go.”
“Love that for us,” Mom says. “What am I missing?”
Gannon leans back in his seat. “We bought the Arrows yesterday.”
“Shit.” Mom takes off her glasses and pinches her nose. “Who is the lead on that?”
“Dad had Bobby Downing working on it with him. Let me see what I can dig up today,” Gannon says.
“We aren’t keeping Downing around,” Mom says. “Let’s meet about this first thing in the morning. That’ll give you time to get the paperwork over to me, Gannon.”
“Sounds good.”
Mom looks at me and smiles. “Do you want to manage a baseball team, Renn?”
“No, I do not.”
She rolls her eyes. “Fine. Don’t contribute.”
“Look at Mom, turning into a CEO on day one,” I joke.
She laughs, wagging a finger at me.
“What about Lincoln Landry?” Gannon says. “He used to play for them. I have no idea if he’d be interested, but I know his brother Graham. I could give him a call.”
“Call them and see if there’s any interest,” Mom says. “That’s a good start. We need to get a name behind it as soon as possible.”
“I’m just going to cut in here really quick,” I say, sitting up. “I’m retiring today.”
“What?” Bianca asks.
My family exchanges a bewildered look. All I can do is shrug.
It was my late-night epiphany—I need to retire. It’s the only solution that makes sense.
I can’t play for the Royals. Not after my last interaction with Galecki.Fuck that guy. And after having a hard conversation with Brock last night about the Royals stance and the events at dinner, he agreed.Fuck. That. Guy.
As I lay in bed and thought about Blakely and our marriage, my job, my dad—and the war that broke out with him—Brock and his health, and his and Ella’s baby … and my future and what it looks like, it all became crystal clear.
The only thing that matters are my relationships with the people I love.
I don’t need my job—not the money, the stress, or the potential to hurt myself. I have no use for my father. I don’t want to be away from Blakely for long periods.
I want to travel with my wife. I want her to be proud of me and feel loved and wanted every minute of her life. Hang out at home and learn to garden. Nurture my relationships with my siblings and support my mother in her badass return to business.She’s gonna kill it. I want to be around to spoil Brock’s kid rotten … and have as many children as Blakely and God will allow us to have.
I want those things so badly that it takes my breath away.
“I’m retiring,” I say again. “I have my team working out the details this morning.”
“Why?” Gannon asks.
“I’m done. That’s really it. I’m done.”
Jason lifts his chin. “How is Blakely? Have you talked to her?”
My spirits sink.
