Page 71 of Love From Left Field (Knights of Passion)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

After speaking withRoger, Lucas packed up his meager belongings from the office. Normally, it wouldn’t have taken him any time. He rarely put anything personal in his office. Much quicker to leave, no ties, no connections. However, the Knights were different. He packed his Knights coffee mug, a picture of him dressed as the mascot with the kids on Opening Day, and a picture of him with Miranda on Opening Day. He could probably leave the Knights merchandise here; he wasn’t an employee. He wasn’t part of the family. But he placed them in the box anyway, painful though they were.

He glanced up and saw Cole Hammonds in the doorway, looking uncomfortable.

“Are you here to make sure I leave and take nothing?”

Cole advanced in the room and closed the door behind him. “No. I just wanted to say I’m sorry for how things went down. I wasn’t a big fan but you stayed pretty true to your word.”

“Buttering me up for when I take over as president? I can tell you, that isn’t happening. Not here at least.”

A ghost of a smile crossed Cole’s lips. “I knew you wouldn’t stay here, not after everything that happened.”

“Then you’re the only one.” He hefted the box. “Look, if you ever decide to leave the Knights, let me know. I may know a few people.”

Cole opened the door. “Thanks. I doubt my contract will be renewed.”

“You had a good plan. Trust your instincts.” He paused. “Tell everyone goodbye. I’d prefer to slip away quietly.”

Cole nodded and closed the door behind him.

Lucas headed down the hallway. He had one last task to do before leaving forever. He had to let go of the past.

*

It was afterhours and most of the staff had left for the day. Since the team was traveling, the offices were quiet and he was alone in the hallway. He laid the box on the floor and stared up at the picture of his father. The expected stab of anger and regret was gone as he looked at the man he had worshiped growing up, the man he felt he had let down many years ago.

“I tried, Dad. It just wasn’t meant to be. I did my best. I’m sorry.” He sighed.

What was he waiting for? A response?

“He loved you.”

Lucas jumped, startled at the voice coming from right next to him. He whirled around, half expecting to see no one there. Instead, Seamus Callahan stood there, hands clasped behind his back also studying Jacob Wainright’s picture.

“He was a good man, your father. He cared about the people here and knew how to handle everyone. I was more the three-hundred-pound linebacker at a ladies’ tea, steamrolling over everyone and everything around me.”

Lucas just stared at the older man, not really sure what to say. A part of him wanted to leave, but an inner voice told him to stay, so he waited and just listened.

Seamus rocked back on his heels. “He never wanted you trapped by this team. He was hoping you’d love it like he did, but he knew you had to spread your wings, figure out your own future.”

Lucas cleared his throat. “My brother and sister hated sports. Mom tolerated it for my dad’s sake. I was the only one who ever came to the office regularly with him. Then I told him I didn’t want to work for him, or the Knights. I don’t even remember what I wanted to do. Stupid.”

Seamus gave a small laugh. “Your father was disappointed but thought you’d come around. Then, when he was diagnosed with cancer, he came to me and asked me to buy him out. He didn’t want to leave a lodestone around your family’s neck. He wanted you to be able to go to college, find your path and be happy. Same with your brother and sister.” He turned to Lucas. “I didn’t steal the team from your family.”

Lucas nodded. “I think I always knew that but it was easier to blame you than admit that I’m the reason my father gave up his dream.”

Seamus frowned. “The team wasn’t his dream. His family was. Something I never quite understood until recently.” He sighed. “I’ve made many mistakes in my life, most of them in the past few weeks with Miranda.”

“You sure did. She was the best thing that ever happened to you or the Knights.”

“And to you,” Seamus added, softly. “We both blew it with her, didn’t we?”

Lucas nodded, not trusting himself to speak past the lump in his throat.

“I’ve been looking at the numbers again and she did a good job, didn’t she?”

Lucas nodded. “She saved your ass.”

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