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Hank lurched to his feet. “We’re talking millions, Townsend.”
“You are. I’m done talking.” He headed for the door, already debating when he could get his dog and back on the road to Haven.
He was pretty sure he’d never been a hurry to get back there before, but hey, first time for everything. The double whammy was that he was heading back to a woman, too. If she would have him.
“Fine, you can go the wedding,” Hank called.
Bryan halted. Then he shook his head. “Nah. Too little, too late. I appreciate all your help over the years. Maybe Yorn needs a new agent.” He saluted Hank and shut the door behind him.
Halfway down the hall, his phone went off. He pulled it out, hoping as he always did that it might be Jill. Instead it was Vic.
“Yo, sis.”
A long pause. “Let me guess. You just signed for ten million and a pink pony.”
“Black.”
“A black pony? Can you even fit on a pony, you big lug?”
He laughed, relieved beyond measure that she sounded like the same ol’ Vic. They still had a lot to work out between them, but at least they could laugh with each other. “You brought up the pony, not me.”
“You sounded perky. You haven’t sounded perky all week. Last time I talked to you I thought you were about to curl up in the fetal position.”
“I did that before you called, smart ass.”
“So what’s with the change of attitude then? Has to be that you signed for mega bucks, to which I say congratulations, I’m happy for you, and guess what, your little sister’s having a baby, so you should plan on tricking out your niece or nephew.”
He stopped. Opened his mouth and closed it. “You’re pregnant?”
“Pickles and chocolate ice cream have been my staples for two days. You do the math.”
It felt good to laugh that hard. “God, I missed you, Vic.”
“I missed you, too. I’ve missed you for the entire time you’ve been in Maryland, and I miss you even more now knowing that I so colossally screwed up.” She made a sound that crept suspiciously close to a sob, and he fisted his hand. “Don’t mess up the best thing in your life because I don’t know how to mind my business and shut the hell up when I’m hormonal. You’re plenty good enough for her. You’re good enough for anyone.”
“Vic—”
“I’m serious. I know you think that because you re-upped with the team and you’re hours away that you can’t make a go of something long-distance with Jill. But you can. You just have to open up to her first. Trust that she loves you. Not just the football player. You. She wants you to be happy and do what you love. It’s not about stifling you, it’s about sharing who you are with someone else so you both become better.” She paused. “Hello? Did you hang up?”
“I was looking for the recording app on my phone. Pretty sure I’ll need some of this later when I get back home.”
“You—what?”
“I’m going to have a niece or nephew. You really think I’m going to waste the opportunity to spoil the shit out of them? Hell no. If it’s a boy, watch out. I’m creating an NFL-replica field in your backyard.”
“I don’t understand.”
“If I’m perky—which I’m not and never have been, thank you very much—it’s not because I signed for millions. It’s because I walked away and didn’t sign one damn thing. You’re talking to an official free agent, and man does it feel good.”
“Wait, what?”
He had to laugh. His sister usually talked until his brain threatened to revolt, so he loved when he caused her to do a full stop. A rare gift. “I’m not playing football anymore. The five million dollar payout is officially off the table.” He gripped the phone tighter, his smile growing. “I’m coming home.”
“You’re serious?”
“Completely serious.”
“You love her that much, huh?”
