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“So?”
He leans in. “You love that woman. Why are you denying the both of you a chance at a happy life with her?”
I stand from the couch, walk around the coffee table, and pace. “I look at how amazing Violet was with Theo, and I want her to be a part of his life. But then I feel guilty because Theo has a mother, and Hannah’s a wonderful mom to him. I’m not trying to replace her, but… I don’t know. It’s complicated.”
My dad watches me pace across his office. “There’s no downfall to Theo having an abundance of people who love and care for him in his life. You know that, son, so what’s this really about?”
I stop and stare at him. He always did know me best.
And so I voice my deepest, darkest fear for my son and myself. “What if things get hard and she bolts? She’s already dodging conversations. She has some wounds from past relationships, and I’m not sure they’ve healed fully.”
My dad’s shoulders fall, and he walks toward me. “Brady, just because your biological mom left you doesn’t mean Violet will.” He brings his hands to my shoulders and looks me straight in the eyes. “Jesus, I could kill that fucking woman for abandoning you the way she did. If we didn’t end up with your mom, who knows where the hell we’d be. But you know firsthand what an amazing addition a stepmother can be to a family. If Violet has issues, maybe she just needs some reassurance, maybe someone to fight for her.”
I swallow past the hard, painful lump in my throat. “I don’t think I could handle it, Dad. And the idea of watching Theo deal with the loss of someone he looks at as a mother figure…” I shake my head, unable to even finish that thought or put the feeling into words.
“I know, son. Believe me, I know. But if you love this woman, after all these years of you not having deep feelings for anyone, I trust that she’s the right one for you. You wouldn’t give your love away to just anyone. And I think your son would benefit from seeing you in a happy, committed relationship the same way you did with me.”
Everything he’s saying makes sense, I know it does when he explains it like this. Still, the fear of the unknown is there, looming like a dark cloud.
“Just imagine if I’d never given Lennon a chance. Where would you have gotten all your sex ed from growing up?” We both chuckle, and my dad brings his palm to my face, lightly tapping me there. “I love you, son. You deserve to be happy.”
“I know, Dad. Thanks for the talk.”
He pulls me in for a hug, and tears build in my eyes as I smack him on the back then pull away. I sure lucked out in the dad department.
My dad claps my shoulder and squeezes. “Give it some thought, all right?” He arches an eyebrow.
I nod. “I will.”
“Good. Now go home, clear your mind, and get some rest before the big game tomorrow. This is my first in-season game as owner and you guys have to win.” He winks at me.
“Yeah, yeah.” I shake my head as I make my way toward the door but turn around before I leave. “Thanks, Dad. For everything.”
Tears glisten in his eyes and he nods, then swallows hard before he answers. “Anything for you.”
I leave with a lot on my mind, but feeling as if I have a better chance than ever at sorting out my feelings.
The next morning, I wake with a clear head. I know what I have to do. I have to win Violet back.
My dad was right yesterday, and when he put it in the context of his relationship with Lennon, and I started thinking about it, I couldn’t believe I didn’t see it for myself. My life would be so much less without Lennon in it, and I wouldn’t give my love to a woman who would just up and abandon Theo and me. There’s no guarantee that things will work out between us, but even if they don’t, I know Violet would keep Theo’s best interests at heart.
And so I’m determined to win her back and start our lives together. Right after I win this football game today.
The guys and I are in the locker room before the game and I’ve clued them in on what I need to do. Just like how we did when Lee fucked up with Shayna, we’re all trying to figure out a plan for me to convince Violet to give us a chance, no matter how scared she is.
Miles tosses me the ball. “My mom and sister say you have to grovel. So you need to add that into your plan.”
“Grovel?” Chase asks, adjusting his jock.
Miles looks at him as though he’s an idiot. “You know, where you admit how you messed up and promise never to do it again and tell her how pretty and smart she is. I don’t know, I’ve never had to do it myself.”
“I want to see Chase grovel,” Darius, one of the team’s defensive ends, says as he walks past.
We all laugh because that would be a sight to see. Chase grumbles something under his breath.
I toss the ball to Lee. “I know what I want to say. I’ve got that part down. But how do I do it? I mean, do I just show up at her place with flowers or something?”
Lee shakes his head. “It needs to be bigger than that.”
