His brothers exchanged looks.
“Yes, we want you to get your fourth of the money, the estate, and welcome you into this family.We don’t really know what that looks like.But it starts with family dinners, lots of texts, and the obligation to attend all family gatherings, formal or informal.But also, you’re welcome, if not expected, anytime you’re in town,” Levi said.
“Every day, every holiday, you can expect your family to be here,” Mrs.Hart said.
Renn looked from Dalton to Wes, Levi, and to Mrs.Hart.And the knot in his throat started to make his eyes water.“I think there’s something else I need to tell you,” Renn said, wiping his eyes.“If we’re going to be family.”
“We already know,” Dalton said.
“What?”Renn said.
“You do know I’m the sheriff in this town with some investigative background.We may have been a baseball family up until today, but it looks like we’ll need to get some Aces swag too,” Wes said.
Levi laughed.“You know the thing that gets me so mad, aside from not knowing I had a third brother for twenty-six years, is how much Dad would have enjoyed this.”
“Your dad’s two favorite teams and two youngest sons are professional players,” Mrs.Hart said, shaking her head.
Renn wasn’t sure how to take this information.
“You already knew I play football?”And they all nodded.
“Any other big announcements we should know about?”Wes asked.
“So, you’re all saying you want me to be one of you.Even though my mom was the other woman, and we didn’t grow up together?Just like that, you accept me?”
Dalton reached out to pat Renn’s back.“None of that was our fault, not yours or ours.Why shouldn’t we want you to be our brother?”
“You’re not worried I’ll embarrass your family?You’re not ashamed?”
Wes hit the table.“No.We’re not ashamed to say we have a younger brother.I won’t lie, I’m mad at Dad for being disloyal to our mom and not telling us about you.He should have tried to bring us all together.All those years we lost is a big wound.”
“But we can’t change it, and it doesn’t mean we can’t all start new now,” Dalton said.
Renn shook his head in disbelief.“Alright, then maybe I can get some brotherly advice on what to do this season with a new contract from the Aces.”
“Oh easy.I got a guy.You need my agent, Hal, and his sister runs all my PR.They’ll get you the best deal,” Levi said.
Renn hesitated.“The thing is I’m not sure I want to be the starting quarterback for the Aces.”
Three sets of blue eyes looked back at Renn.
“You probably got a lot of offers.You don’t have to stay in Georgia,” Wes offered.
“Not sure I want any.I was kind of content as second string—low pressure, good salary.”
“Oh, I know what’s happening here, you’re having imposture syndrome,” Levi said.“You’re afraid of your own success, getting everything you wanted but not believing you really deserved it,” Levi said.
“Is that a thing?”Mrs.Hart said.
“I don’t know about all that,” Renn said.
“Well, baby brother, you just came into a decent inheritance, and you have an estate to live on,” Dalton said.“We all planned to build a house on this land, so yours can be next.”
“And do what with my life?”
“Only you can answer that, but I don’t think you’re done with playing ball.I vote you sign with the Aces, see how it fits.Maybe you’re the next big star or maybe you’ll bomb.”
“Levi,” Wes said.
