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“But it’s what you got, brother,” Joe said.
“I realize that, Joe,” I said. “My entire career has been built on helping teams. I’m the muscle. The force. The brute. I come in, raise hell and move on. I’m not meant to be a star. I’m not meant to hoist up championships and all that. I get paid to do a certain thing. And now there’s a chance for something for all of us. Boston wants me. They need me. They’re willing to pay me but also help out theSola Empire. You guys are locked in on contracts. This helps everyone.”
“What about her?” Henry asked, pointing to my daughter.
My jaw tightened again.
“What about Hazel?” Rome asked. “You can’t leave her behind. Not with me lurking around. Don’t make me go from Uncle Rome toStepdad Rome.”
Rome grinned and winked.
“If Hazel is up for grabs, I’m making my move too,” Jago said.
“She’s not up for grabs,” I growled.
“She seemed pretty pissed at you,” Joe said.
“I didn’t know what to do or say,” I said. “Hazel has me thinking crazy things. She has me speechless. You know, my first thought when the Boston thing was brought up? I told myself to just retire.”
“For good?” Sebastian asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “I can’t imagine not being near Hazel or my daughter. I can’t fly across the country over and over. Too much time without them. And I can’t ask Hazel to leave here. Her life is here. She’s still undecided about her grandmother’s house too.”
“You’re in love,” Henry said. “Like madly in love with her.”
“I am,” I said. “And I’m in love with her too.”
I pointed to Juniper Evelyn and felt like crying again.
Sebastian put an arm around me.
“This is so complicated,” Rome said. “This is why I don’t do any of this.”
“Nobody cares about your personal life,” Joe said. “So just shut it. We’re here to support Atlas and his daughter.”
“And Hazel,” Jago said.
“Would you really retire for her?” Sebastian asked.
“I would. I don’t want to. But I would for my family. That’s what a man does, right? Supports his family.”
“Sometimes this sports stuff just sucks,” Rome said. “You’re part of us, Atlas. You’re family. We can’t lose you. I can’t imagine not seeing you. You’re so happy all the time.”
I curled my lip at Rome.
“Look at that face,” Rome said. “I’m going to miss it so much.”
Rome got Joe to smile.
A rarity.
“Any word on when you can hold her?” Henry asked.
“Not yet,” I said. “Not for a while. It’s going to take some time.”
I swallowed hard.
“Then you just wait here for her,” Jago said. “She needs you. They both need you.”
