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“You guys are relationship goals.”
“I think it’s different when you find the one you’re meant to be with at an early age.”
“You could’ve gone to jail.”
“Nope, I waited until she was eighteen. What I could’ve done was destroy our families, but they all knew we were meant to be together.”
“How did you know?”
“She’s all I thought about. Hell, she’s all I think about, even when she’s next to me. Peyton’s my obsession and I’d give up everything for her.”
“When you say shit like that, it makes me feel like I don’t love hard enough or I’m still searching for the right person for me.”
Noah spins the football in his hands. “First off, don’t compare your relationships with what Peyton and I have. I’ve known her since the day she was born. We grew up together and have always had this bond. I’ve loved her my entire life. Secondly, everyone feels different. My dad loved my mom, but he left. He pursued a career. Sometimes people need a break to realize what they’re missing or what they want.”
“What if she doesn’t want me?”
“Peyton only wants me,” he says as he tosses the ball at me.
I frown and toss it into the bin. We’re not allowed to throw anything at Noah. “I’d never make a play for your wife. Ever. And you know I’m talking about Kelsey. What if I blew my chance with her?”
“Then wait. If she’s meant to be with you, it’ll happen. If not, you move on. You can’t stress yourself out over something you can’t change.”
“And Maggie?”
“DNA test. She told you herself that she was with someone else. You have every right to keep her at arm’s length until you know.”
“Let me ask you this—had Dessie’s baby been yours would you have married her?”
Noah thinks for a minute and nods. “Unfortunately, but I also think I would’ve cheated on her. Peyton’s accident changed my life. It opened my eyes to what was right in front of me and once I stopped caring about what people thought, I went for what I wanted. Our families be damned.”
We stop for the day and head into the locker room. I shower, dress and head out to my truck. My phone rings and Maggie’s name shows up on the screen. I’ve avoided her as much as I can.
“Hey,” I say as I answer and climb into my truck, instantly missing Kelsey. The cab still smells like her perfume, although it’s starting to fade.
“I’m organizing a fundraiser for the hospital and I’m thinking of doing the auction again. I am going to put you down on the list.”
“No,” I say before I realize it’s out of my mouth.
“What?”
I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I can’t be that person . . . your person anymore, Maggie.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I want the DNA test done, now. I don’t want to wait any longer. It’s not fair and this situation you’ve put me in is hurting Kelsey.”
“I thought you weren’t speaking to her anymore.”
“It doesn’t matter. Me and this other guy, we deserve to know now, not after the baby comes. If he’s the father, he has a right to bond with his newborn and all that shit.”
“Well, I need your support right now,” she says.
“And I need you to schedule this today. As far as your fundraiser, go through the proper channels. You can use the team or call my agent.”
“I can’t believe you’re being like this, Alex. After everything.”
“Yep, I know.” I hang up and bang my head against my steering wheel. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that what I said to her was terrible, but it’s the only way I can get through to her. If I continue to let her control my life, it’s never going to end.
