Page 86 of Playing It Forward

“You sure? This is going to be a tough season. Beck is improving.”

I bristle. “Beck is a rookie.”

“Whose shoulder isn’t ripped to shreds.”

“Let me worry about my shoulder.”

“You have a lot to worry about. Your shoulder. The weight of the Super Bowl expectations. Having a baby with a woman who lives far away from Steel City.”

“I don’t need the reminder.”

“You sure? Because you’re acting like nothing’s changed. Planning to play the season with a hurt shoulder and a baby on the way.”

“I have it handled.”

He lifts up his hands. “Your choice. But let me say this. I would do anything – and I do mean anything – to change the past and watch my son grow up. And watching Jade grow my baby?” He shakes his head. “I missed it all.”

His words hit me like a Mack truck. Will I regret not being here with Terri? Will she resent me? Will I miss the birth of my child?

Chapter 28

Who can argue with a man who brings pickles?

Terri

I open the refrigerator, scan the contents, and scowl. The same as the previous five times I checked, there’s nothing I want to eat in here. And no new food has materialized.

Damn it. I want something salty. But not potato chips. I riffle through the jars of condiments and end up with a jar of pickles.

Yes! I open the jar and frown. It’s empty.

I debate drinking the pickle juice. Is that weird? The athletes do it. Before I can figure out what to do, my phone beeps with a message.

I check the time. It must be Nolan. It’s been at least an hour since the last time he checked on me. It must be time for another check-in. I swear he has a timer set.

How are you doing, sprite?

I’m fine except someone must have broken into my house and stolen the pickles in my jar.

Ha! Ha! Do you want pickles?

Doesn’t matter what I want. There are no pickles.

How are you otherwise?

Tired. Tired of bridezillas and their crazy requests.

What crazy requests did you get today?

Turn the wind down because it’s ruining the veil photos.

Wow. You control the wind. Cool.

And clouds! I was supposed to remove the clouds from the sky for drone footage.

I’m impressed. Nearly as impressed as when you trained Sammy to wave during the vows.

I scowl.