Page 51 of I Got You

I whisper in her ear as the cheers only grow louder. “It’ll all be ok. We’ll figure it out, or I’ll kick his too tight ass.”

Maggie squeezes me as I pull her back up, and I hope I’ve at least done part of my job making her feel better.

“Get back to work, or we’ll do push-ups and sprints until dark!” I yell with a growl.

“I better get over there.” Maggie tips her head in the direction of the dance team. “Cassie’s going to want to shoot me for more than just stealing her man. I’m about to vote out her booty-shaking routine, so if it turns ugly, come rescue me.”

“My money’s on you.”

“Yeah? I’ll see you at home, then.”

“I’ll find you before I leave and walk you to your car. Otherwise, come find me.”

She takes a few steps backward toward the end zone. “Will do, hubby,” she smirks, but it’s strained, and I don’t like it. “I like the ring, Grizz,” she hollers as she turns around.

I try to get my head to focus back on the team, but I’m left thinking about Maggie. She’s worried. That hug and that look told me so. I have a feeling there’s more to the story than she’s been willing to share with me. I just have to figure out how to get her to tell me what that is.

I return to my team, walking out on the field and discussing specifics with my players. There are only a couple days left until our first game, and things are looking good, but there’s always room for improvement. We make some adjustments, talking through details, and then I return to my place on the sideline.

My eyes find Maggie at the far end of the field, and she’s watching them demonstrate something. Then, I hear her voice, “If you want to walk out here looking like a bunch of amateurs humping the field, I’ll leave you to it, but if you want to make the crowd feel alive, then we have work to do.”

My little Firefly means business, and with that tone, I know she’s far stronger than she realizes.

Two minutes later, a different song comes over the speakers, and I have no doubt she won the battle. I’m also certain that, whatever her history with Cliff, Maggie won’t go down without a fight. I just hope she’ll let me help.

Chapter 17

MAGGIE

ME: Good luck today. Keep your offensive line tight. Make those kitty cats chase their tails.

COLE: Get ready to be dizzy.

∞∞∞

It’s been a strange, quiet morning. The boys and Liv are still sleeping, and I’m in the kitchen, knowing chaos will break loose any moment. Shane was more growly than normal when the alarm went off and didn’t wait to make sure I actually got out of bed before heading downstairs to work out.

He’s nervous. He has that same look of being all in his head that I’d see when the screen focused on him during a game. I have no doubt that Shane’s coaching ability is just as stellar as his talent as a player. I hope he knows we’ll cheer him on regardless of what happens on the field. If nothing else, maybe my little surprise for him will tell him that.

For now, I sit in this eerily quiet kitchen, alone. This never happens, so I work on the grocery order, trying not to think about my conversation with Uncle Clifford.

As expected, I got a nasty lecture and a load of condescension for not calling him about Dad, which I could handle, but it was the comments about it proving my immaturity and inability to take care of the kids that has my stomach in knots. This man is not used to not getting what he wants, except for not being able to have my dad’s life. Now, he just wants the most important things my dad left behind, his children.

My history with them has started to eat away at me all over again. I’ve only spoken to my lawyer about it in minor detail, but given the repercussions it could have, he agrees that we leave it tucked away for now. I’d be fine if that part of my past never saw the light of day again. It only makes me committed to walking through fire before I let him and Joan take the kids anywhere.

I’m not one to hold grudges or even allow hatred to fester. It takes too much energy, but Cliff and Joan are the exceptions. These two people can buy the world, and it’s never been enough. I don’t care what I have to do. I won’t let them get custody of the kids. I’m not perfect and only marginally capable of raising them, but it’s multitudes better than the oppression and abuse they’d suffer in their household.

I’ve known that it’d be only a matter of time before I’d have to face them, but this week is still too soon. They’ll be here on Wednesday to read the will, and I know they’ll fill me in on their intention of trying to gain custody of the kids.

I put my head in my hands, needing the swirling in my stomach to subside.

Shane’s loud footsteps provide a nice distraction as he comes into the kitchen sweat-soaked and gorgeous. Seriously, this man gets hotter every day.

“How was your workout?” I ask to distract myself from all the veins and muscles.

“Fine.”

“You feeling good about the game today?”

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