Page 115 of Playing It Forward

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to intrude.”

“Intrude?” He snorts. “You’re my son-in-law. You can’t intrude.”

I wince. He doesn’t know. I thought the whole island was fueled by gossip. Shit. Now, I have to tell him.

“Um… you do know Terri ended things?”

He scowls. “You’re not letting her run away because she’s scared, are you?”

I blow out a breath. “I’m not giving up on her, but I don’t know what to do.”

He grins. “And you came to me for help?”

“Not exactly. Although, I could use your help. I actually have some deliveries arriving today.”

His brow wrinkles. “Here?”

My cheeks heat, but I power through. “You’re the little mermaid’s grandfather. She’s going to spend a lot of time with you. I want you to have everything you need.”

He motions me inside. “You better come in.”

We settle at the kitchen table across from each other with cups of coffee. “Now, tell me. What stuff do you have coming?”

“A crib, a changing table, a dresser, a rocking chair.”

He blinks. “That’s everything for a baby’s room.”

I shrug. “I want the baby to be comfortable here. You’re the only family she’ll have on the island.”

“Besides you.”

I don’t answer. I can’t. I don’t know whether I’ll be living on this island. I need to find a job. Figure out what to do with my life after football. I thought I’d live on the island and help Terri raise our little mermaid. But Terri doesn’t think I’ll stay. She doesn’t trust me.

Charlie sets down his coffee cup. “What’s going on in your head?”

I stall. “What do you mean?”

He chuckles. “I raised four kids who were all messed up from their pasts. I know when someone’s mulling over a situation.”

I sigh. “It’s Terri. She still doesn’t believe I’ll stay. After everything I’ve done for her.”

“She’s worried she’s ruining your life.”

I scowl. “Retiring is the right choice.”

He shakes his head. “Terri thinks she’s ruining your life the way pregnancy ruined her mother’s life. I have tried to tell her pregnancy didn’t ruin her mom’s life, but she doesn’t listen.”

“What do I do? How do I convince her I’ll stay? How do I convince her she’s not ruining my life? She’s the best thing to ever happen to me. Her and our little mermaid are my family. I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.”

He rubs a hand over his jaw. “You’re asking for a lot in a short time. Retiring the year the Seals are favored to win the Super Bowl? It’s a big leap for her to believe you’re not changing everything for her.”

“My shoulder is bad. I can play, but I’m afraid of the long-term damage. I want to be able to throw a football with my kid someday.”

My dad never threw a football with me. Hell, he barely paid attention to me until I made the varsity team in high school. Then, it was all about winning. Not playing. Not enjoying the sport. I will not be him.

Charlie nods. “Yeah, I saw how you were favoring it at practice the other day.”

My eyes widen. “You saw?”