Page 174 of Alive At Night

“It’s okay,” Gray insisted. “You were focused on Juniper. You think I don’t understand that? If Nessa called me because of that asshat ex of hers, I’d stop fucking everything I was doing. I could be about to win the Super Bowl, and I’d walk off the field.”

I closed my eyes, nodding. I knew that was true. For the last several years, I’d watched Grayson put his family first in every move he made. Of course he would understand.

That was the whole reason that all of this started. So I could help Grayson fight for his family.

“I’m struggling to find a balance,” I admitted for the second time today. “I want to give her everything—all my time and attention. But I know that’s obviously not possible. I don’t know how you do it. How do you be the perfect husband, dad, son, friend, and professional fucking football player all at once?”

At that, Grayson started laughing. Meanwhile, I frowned because here I thought we were having a serious conversation.

“What?”

“Bro, I’m not perfect. I’m far from fucking perfect, and it’s not easy. I have to make sacrifices all the time to keep all the balls in the air, but here’s the good thing.”

I waited, wondering where he was going with this. I hoped he’d just give me the magic answer, but that seemed far from happening.

“Juniper doesn’t expect you to be perfect, Jules,” he said after a dramatic pause. “Not any more than you expectherto be perfect.”

Goddamn him. “I’ve fucked up with her…in the past. A lot. I want to make it right, make it up to her. Iwantto be perfect.”

“Then just be there. It doesn’t need to be all the time or every moment of every day. But be there when it matters. Be there for the best parts of her day and the worst. And then—this part is even harder—let her be there for you.”

“Why are you saying that like it’s an accusation?” I scoffed. “I’mnot the one who didn’t tell his girlfriend that he had a congenital heart defect. I can’t remember…who, exactly, had to tell your future wife about that after you had a stroke and fell into a coma?”

Grayson started grumbling into the phone at that, and I laughed. “You,” he grunted. “Which is exactly why you should learn from me.”

“You’re right,” I agreed.

“I know I am.”

I snorted. Grayson would always be a cocky fucker, but he’d also always be one of the best guys around.

“So…the case,” I prompted.

“Yeah…about that.”

My stomach twisted at the odd note in his voice. He was pissed. He was pissed that I hadn’t taken care of what I’d said I would.Shit.

“Listen, Gray. I just wanted to say—”

“We decided not to go through with it.”

I froze, my mouth still gaping as I waited for Gray to say more. And I couldn’t believe what he said when he did.

“Look, I know you put a lot of work into compiling a case, and I feel like such a complete ass telling you this, but…Nessa wants to let it go, and I do, too. I thought going after this lawsuit would make me feel like I wasdoingsomething about what happened, but the reality is, it won’t change the past.”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. All I could see was my reflection in the window, intent on catching every word of Grayson’s.

“I realized it just isn’t where I want to put my priorities right now,” he continued. “It’s like we were talking—I don’t want to sacrifice the energy meant for my wife and kids to chase after this. And Nessa agrees. We’d rather focus all our energy on Gabe and Gracie.”

“Gracie?” I choked.

“It’s a girl,” he whispered. “We’re having a girl.”

“Fuck,” I breathed. “Congratulations, Gray. Gabriel’s going to be such a good big brother.”

“Yeah, although I don’t know much about being a good sibling.” Gray exhaled, sounding wistful. Like Juniper, he grew up as an only child. “I guess Gabe will have to rely on his godfather to teach him all about being the best older brother.”

My throat squeezed tight, and I wished to hell that Grayson and his family didn’t live on the other side of the country so I could see them all more.

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