Page 14 of I Got You

“They can contest the will and his mental stability when it was last revised. They’ve attempted to prove I’m not equipped to care for them, arguing the kids would be better off in a two-parent household, but they didn’t have grounds while….”

“And if you’re married, that helps?” Shit. This is…unbelievable. I can’t seem to stop asking questions. Everything I thought I knew about Tim Matthews, and I had no idea. What I just saw, what Maggie is telling me…my mind is racing.

She shrugs, and it’s pathetic, which has my temperature rising. “It shows stability and an established family unit. They have money and status, which I can match to an extent, but I’m only me…trying to raise four kids. Cole’s gone after this year. I knew this was coming, and I didn’t do anything.”

She takes a deep breath and pushes it out. “I can’t let anything happen to them. I promised my dad I’d care for them and look out for them.” Her voice quivers. “They’d use them and…How could I live with myself if anything happens to them?”

She sniffs, running her finger underneath each eye with force like its punishment before her lips turn up into what I suspect is an uncharacteristically defeated smile. “Like I have time to swipe right every Friday night in hopes of finding prince charming.” She shakes her head. “Sorry, I’m ready now. I need to get them back here quickly.”

I start the truck, thinking about everything she just said and how much I judged her, especially after finding out she’s Tim’s daughter. A nagging feeling in the back of my brain has me gripping the steering wheel a little too tight and almost breaking my turn signal. As I drive back to campus, it’s like there’s a tapeworm gnawing away at something sacred, and I need it to stop.

Maggie directs me, and I pull my truck up next to her Suburban. Grabbing her bag, she climbs out of my truck, and I follow, having no idea how to handle this but feeling like I should say or do something.

She stops at her door, her face tipping up to mine. “Thank you…for everything. I’m sorry you had to be a part of all of this.” Her eyes drop to the asphalt. “I hope you understand this is all very private.”

“Of course. Are you going to be ok?”

She takes a deep breath and then moves into me. I have no idea what she’s doing, so I stand perfectly still while she wraps her arms around my middle and rests her head against my chest. Neither of us speaks.

I’m not a touchy-feely guy, and honestly, I can’t remember the last time I was hugged. Actually, I’m not sure I’ve ever been hugged like this. I push my discomfort and inexperience aside, holding on to the hope that maybe this is me helping in some way.

When she takes another deep breath, I go to release her, but she hangs on.

“No, not yet.”

Ok then. I let my arms linger around her a little longer.

She sniffs. “I know we don’t know each other, but thanks for helping me. Maybe you aren’t so grizzly.”

“You probably shouldn’t jump to conclusions under extreme circumstances,” I say, wanting to lighten things up for her, if only for a moment.

She looks up at me with a glared smirk, but oh man, those blue eyes are so full of heartbreak and fear. That little worm chomps away at what I know is my conscience.

She finally releases me and climbs in her car.

“Let me know if I can do anything and make sure Cole knows he doesn’t need to worry about practice.”

She leaves me with glossy eyes, and I stand in the parking lot for just a second before heading to find Coach Cavanaugh to send him on his way.

My uneasiness continues to grow, building through practice and into the evening as I head home. I have a hard time reconciling the man who was my hero, the football player I wanted to be, and the man who lies dying in a bed surrounded by his kids. The love, a kind I’ve not known, more than evident. My thoughts are consumed with Maggie and four kids and some words that I haven’t thought about in a very long time.

Chapter 5

MAGGIE

“Ugh. I want to take a searing hot bubble bath, fall into my bed, and not come out for a year.” I lay my head down on top of my arms. “Who’s taking over? I’m tapping out.”

Simone’s meticulously manicured nails tap the tabletop. She’s my hairstylist turned best friend that looks like a freaking supermodel. She’s tall, with natural dark bronze skin, long curly black hair, and a no BS attitude.

Our friend Carmen designated one night a month as girls night, and here we sit. Because my ability to go out is minimal, we usually meet here, eat takeout, and sometimes Simone cuts our hair.

“Missy, I know this all totally sucks. You’re exhausted, completely heartbroken, and nothing seems like it will be ok, but we’ve got to focus. The kids need you, and you need a man.”

I lift my head to look up at her. “Is that seriously the best you’ve got?”

Two days ago, I stood at the graveside as they lowered my dad into the ground. Cole and the boys stood next to me as I held Liv while we watched. I quickly wiped my tears, and the boys tried hard not to let anyone see theirs. It was silent except for the squeak of the crank. A sound that I’m not sure I’ll ever quit hearing.

Coach Cavanaugh and his wife, Clara, stood by, hands clasped and heads down, releasing years of emotions as they watched his body fail. CC and Dad played college ball together and remained best friends to the end. Until these last few years, my dad spent the better part of his life in the public eye achieving every major height a professional athlete could dream of, but it was just our small group standing over him as we sent him onward.

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