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Eventually, after we get kicked out of the kitchen for picking at food, we find ourselves set up on the couches, with football playing in the background.
“So, Cooper, I hear you’re running the fall ball clinic. How’s things going?” Foster asks once settled.
I’m filling them in on everything and my plans to bring Ace in to work directly with the kids when Lulu appears in the doorway.
“Dinner ready, sweetheart?” Foster goes to stand, but she waves him off, and he sits back down.
“In just a few moments. Actually—” She turns her gaze toward me. “—Cooper, I was hoping I could speak with you before we sit down.”
“Sure.” I press up on my thighs to stand and follow Lulu out to the back door. She grabs her shawl from the rack and wraps it around her shoulders. There is a brisk breeze that causes us both to shiver slightly as we make our way out to the backyard.
“Walk with me,” she says, looping her arm through mine. “Please, just let me get this out.”
I nod, feeling quite uneasy as to what she wants to talk about. I thought we were doing okay, but maybe she’s spent the last hour realizing that it was a mistake and is going to ask me to leave. I hold my breath, waiting for her to continue.
“I need to apologize. I’ve spent years regretting that I even need to do it at all, but it’s long overdue. What I said at Tanner’s funeral—” She closes her eyes and takes a steady breath. I place my hand over hers, letting her know she can take all the time she needs. I’m not going anywhere.
“What I said at Tanner’s funeral…I was under duress and wallowing in such grief. I know that it’s not your fault, that it was an accident, but I was looking for someone to blame for why my baby boy was no longer here, and you happened to just be the lucky winner.” She lets out an awkward laugh. “No one deserved that, especially you. And then word spread thatyouwere gone, and all I could do was spend years worried that what I had said that day led to your departure.”
I halt my steps and pull her into my arms. She clings to me, unleashing her years of pent-up grief and emotion. “No, no, no.”Fuck, I wasn’t prepared for this.“I was so deep in my own issues at that time.” I pause and decide I don’t want to lie to the woman I used to consider my second mom. “I’m still working on my issues, to be honest. I didn’t need your words because they were already playing on a loop in my brain. That is one hundred percent on me, not you.”
The tears fall from my eyes as I allow the overwhelming emotions to take over—the loss we endured and the pain we’ve been through. I’m not sure who is holding who up.
I hate she has spent all this time not only dealing with the loss of her son but that she had this weighing on her.
“We followed your career, you know. It was hard not to. But where did this Cooper the media sees come from? Tanner would be so disappointed to see you throw away your chance like that. He would punch you for letting his death affect you this way. For leaving the way you did and staying gone. Promise me you won’t do it again.”
When I don’t respond, she pulls back and brings her hands to my cheeks. “Promise me you’re planning to stay.” She uses her motherly tone, and I can’t help but smirk.
“Yes, ma’am.” I nod. “I promise, I’m here.”
Instead of responding, she pulls me back into a hug, and I collapse against her.
“Now, what do you say we head back in there? I’m sure by now, they all have kinks in their neck from trying to see out here.”
We turn to head back into the house. “And Cooper.” She places her hand over my forearm. “Don’t be a stranger. You were gone far too long.”
When we finally return inside, everyone is standing in the kitchen, watching with bated breath. Looks like Lulu was right. I help her hang her shawl back on the hook.
“Are y’all going to just stand there and let this food go to waste, or we going to sit down?” Lulu waves her hands in the air for everyone to get moving, and suddenly, the room fills with chatter.
“You good?” Riley steps up beside me and rubs small circles on my back in a soothing motion.
“Yeah, everything’s all good.” I kiss the top of her head.
We all help carry various dishes to the table and settle in our seats, with both Lulu and Foster sitting at opposite ends of the table. Mom and Dad are on one side and us kids on the other.
Foster stands and clears his throat, now holding up a wineglass. “I’ll keep this brief since everyone is starving. I just wanted to thank everyone for coming today. We have so much to be thankful for this year.” Riley places her hand on my thigh. “Let us bow our heads and pray.”
Riley flips her hand over, and I link our fingers together while the other stretches out to take Lulu’s hand.
“Dear Lord, thank you for allowing us to all be together today. Thank you for our good health and for the ability for forgiveness and love.” Riley squeezes my hand, and I give her a playful side-eye.
“In your name, Amen.”
“Amen,” we all respond in unison.
“I thought you said that you were going to keep it brief, Pops,” Austin jokes, bringing his wineglass to his mouth.
