Page 46 of Cruel Love

“I’m not sure where to start.” Grandad was a touchy subject, and I wasn’t sure if it would be welcome.

“Why don’t you start at the beginning with what brings you here?”

I took things back further than I thought, filling him in about Aspen, how we met, and the baby. Then broached the subject of Grandad. “He mentioned that you were set on going into the NFL until Aunt Linda told you she was expecting.”

“That’s true. And if you’re asking if I regretted giving up on football and pursuing my law degree instead, I don’t. But that was my path, and I don’t think it should be yours.”

“I don’t plan on giving up my goals regarding the NFL. My question is more about the present. Grandad has expressed his disappointment with Aspen and me having the baby. He’s made a few threats, and I’m concerned about what will happen with childcare so we can finish college. Not always, just when one of us can’t be there to watch the baby.”

Uncle Lucas took a slow breath and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “My former wife, your aunt, was a complicated woman. When she told her parents that she was expecting, they didn’t take it well. And then when they met me, things spiraled out of control. I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m telling you this.”

“No. I understand that it probably influences how Grandad is acting toward me.”

A sad smile curved his mouth. “It does. To make a long story short, my wife cut her parents out of our lives and forbade contact with their grandchild. When her mom died, her father went into a deep depression for a few months, but Linda continued to refuse to have anything to do with him, and at that point, he felt the same. When he came out of mourning, he poured himself into his company and involved himself deeper in his other daughter’s life and yours and Shane’s. I suspect he’s afraid things won’t work out between you and Aspen and it will cause unhappiness or take you away from him.”

“Aunt Linda had other problems, though.” It seemed so far-fetched for Grandad to have reacted as he had just based on their problems.

“His responses are probably coming from a place of fear. Those were dark times for him and your Nona.”

“I’ll keep working on helping him to see that we aren’t the same and things will be different.”

“Good. There’s something else you should know.” He held my gaze and waited for a beat. “Your grandfather didn’t want me to provide for you and your brother, and he made it very clear that was his responsibility and that he didn’t want me to take it away from him. The SUVs were his only concession, and it wasn’t easy to get him to agree even to that.”

“Shane and I appreciated that, but we never expected anything. Between him and Mom, we didn’t want for much.”

“Right.” He pursed his lips then grinned. “Your mom’s stubborn.”

“Yep. Tell me something I didn’t already know.” Mom was incredible, but when she set her mind to something, there was no talking her out of it.

“I tried to help her after your dad took off, but she was determined to do everything on her own. She said she didn’t want to owe anyone, but that wouldn’t have happened. We’re family.”

“It probably has to do with how smothering Grandad can be.”

“I’m sure. But you’re an adult now. And going forward, know I will always be there to help you with anything. If that’s childcare when your mom or Raelyn and I can’t babysit, we will pay for a nanny to help you and Aspen.”

“Thank you, I can’t tell you how much that means to me—to us.”

Uncle Lucas studied me briefly, but I knew he could see through me. He’d always been able to, especially since Cole and I were so similar. “What else is bothering you?”

I filled him in on what Coach had said about married housing. “Would you be able to help Aspen break the lease? And also look over the lease for the other house to make sure we’re not taken advantage of?”

“Of course. But there is one thing I want you to promise me will stop.”

I shifted in my seat, bracing for what he would say. I honestly had no idea.

“The fights.”

Oh, shit. “You know about those?”

He glanced at the ceiling. “I always have. When you were in high school, it was easier for me to control any fallout, if there was any. And Damon, especially, needed an outlet. Not my first choice, but I let it slide. Not anymore. I know Cole is done with them, and I’ll talk with Damon, even though he’s slowed down. It’s your choice whether to talk to Shane yourself, or I will. But they need to stop. You can’t risk your career by doing something illegal like that.”

I said nothing for a second. He took that as resistance.

“You’re an adult. You have a family to support and a future that’s bright. Lead by example. The underground scene is not that.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

ASPEN

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