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“No. Yes. I don’t know. I mean, you married?” She cocked her head to the side. “I’ve never considered it before.”
“You just said I haven’t met the right woman yet, so clearly it’s crossed your mind.”
“It has in the sense of me hoping you’d settle down with someone. I don’t want to see you end up alone.”
“I have no problem keeping my bed warm, Kinley.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “I’m aware of how often your bed is warm, but I’m talking about real intimacy. Someone to share your life with. The ups, the downs, the good times and the bad. Your own family maybe? You’ve always been great with children. You do that football summer camp with all those kids every year since you started your career, and they absolutely adore you.”
“I don’t have time for a wife or a family.” I folded my arms over my chest, leaning against the column between the porch and pool. “Football is my life.”
“Right…” She hesitated for a second. “For now. But you’re going to be thirty-five this year. Which means, what? You have four to five? Maybe six more years left in you before you retire? What are you going to do for the next half of your life when football isn’t—”
I subconsciously growled, pushing off the column.
“I know this is the last thing you want to talk about.”
“I don’t know a life without football, so let’s not add insult to injury, alright?”
“Your body can’t take those hits forever, Jax. How many concussions did you have last season?”
“I’m not here to talk about my health, Kinley.”
“I know. I’m just trying to help.”
“By discussing my worst fears? Doesn’t sound very helpful to me.”
“Jax, you know retirement will eventually come?”
“Are you purposely trying to piss me off?”
“I’m trying to state facts to give you some clarity on your future. Maybe a fake wife would help you decide one way or another on where your future lies.”
“You mean before or after we get a divorce at the end of the season?”
“You only have to be married one season?”
“According to Autumn’s timeline. I’m only getting married to take the heat off of my trade.”
“Then what’s the problem? Everyone loves weddings, and I think it would definitely help ease the betrayal people might be feeling by being part of your love story.”
“Then you think I should do it?”
“I think you should do what feels right for you.”
“That’s the issue, Kinley. I don’t know what the fuck does. This isn’t a scandal that involves a woman claiming I knocked her up or cheated on her, or whatever lies the press is printing this week. They’re claiming I’m a traitor when I live and breathe the field.”
“I know. I can’t imagine how you must feel right now.”
“Quite honestly, I’m ready to start swinging.”
“Well, it won’t be the first time you’ve lost your temper on a reporter. Just take it out on the field like you always do.”
“That doesn’t help rectify my situation and make it right.”
“If Autumn thinks getting married will make it go away, then I don’t think it’s the worst idea. It might even be good for you. At least you’d have a woman around for more than a night or two, and who knows, maybe a spark will go off between you two. Do you know who you’d ask?”
Before I could reply, Autumn interrupted us by stepping out from the slider and once again suggesting, “Sophie Hayes.”
