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“By the way,” I hesitated, “there were a few reporters in the surgery waiting room when Teagan and I came out, and um, they took some pictures and asked a few questions. When we were almost through them, one of the reporters asked Teagan if she was your wife.”
“Yeah, I know,” he nodded.
My eyes widened in surprise. “You do?”
“Pffft!” He dismissed with a wry snort. “It’s already all over social media and my I’ve already had a call from the network.”
“You don’t seem upset,” I observed.
“What good would it do? You handled it.”
“Yeah, but after the divorce, if Teagan and I get together— it could be a shit storm.”
Jensen interrupted me. “Yeah, yeah. They’ll have a field day. What are we gonna do to change the narrative? Not a damn thing. One thing I’ve learned from working in media is that sensationalism sells and the gossip hacks are the worst of the bunch. Most of them have no morals. Better that it all comes out now while Remi is young and not when she’s older and has to deal with it herself. The good news is, there’s always new blood in the water a week later. ”
My lower lip came out and I nodded as I deferred to his logic. He was one hundred percent right. It was better to confront it so we could all move past it. “Maybe I should do an exclusive interview with a certain ESPN commenter. You know, just to make sure the real truth gets told.”
Jensen’s eyebrows shot up and he grinned. “Maybe.”
“Seriously, I’m glad you’re handling this so well.”
“I’ve had years to get used to the idea that Teagan and I would split up, Chase. It’s not a shock. I’ll be fine as long as I get to see Remi grow up. I know that if she gets to grow up at all, it’s because of you. I’m thankful for that.”
There was no way I could hold on to my resentment when Jensen had taken such unselfish care of both Remi and Teagan? Yes, I would have rather have known the truth, even if it meant giving up Arsenal, but this was above and beyond what any friend could expect of another. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for them. I can pay you back for a lot of things, but without the insurance…” I let my words drop off. Without insurance, Remi wouldn’t have had the best doctors or the most advanced treatment. “No, I mean it. Remi might not be alive for the transplant if it weren’t for you. I’d say we’re even when it comes to saving her.”
He shook his head. “You don’t need to pay me back for anything, Chase. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”
I didn’t have words to express my gratitude and really none were necessary. I owed him much more than I could ever repay.
“Are you going back to England, soon?”
“My team needs me. The season is starting and I’ll have to play as much as I can, so I’ll commute back and forth for a while. I mean, you’re here and it’s in her best interest to see you.”
“You’re richer than God and there are several flights a day,” he stated. “What’s to figure out?”
“I guess you’re smarter than you look.”
“You’re not,” he returned with an easy smirk.
I was enjoying the light camaraderie that used to be so natural between us, but in all seriousness, it could be months before their divorce was final and though my heart wouldn’t let me be anything less than optimistic about Remi’s recovery, it wasn’t a given yet, either.
Still, I couldn’t think of leaving Teagan and Remi behind without having a plan in place. My leaving might dig up feelings of insecurity in Teagan, and I wanted to make sure she was reassured.
“I’m not sure what’s the right thing to do.”
“Well, what you would have done six years ago if Teagan would have told you the truth. Do that.” His eyebrow shot up in a smart-ass taunt. “Jesus. Do I have to think of everything? I guess we’re back.”
TEAGAN
The five of us were sitting around, munching on the deli sandwiches, chips and sodas that Frank and Roma had brought back for all of us.
The hard chairs around the wooden table were too much for Chase, so we were all scattered around on the upholstered furniture in front of the television. Chase was ravenous and silently accepted the half of my turkey and provolone on rye I pushed in front of him on the coffee table.
Roma and Frank asked if I would bring some of the photo albums of Remi since her birth to share with them. Normally, I’d love nothing more. She was my pride and joy and I loved showing her off, but I didn’t want to hurt Chase and he would be conspicuously missing from every one of them.
Jensen and I were answering Roma and Frank’s questions about Remi, and listening proved difficult for Chase. I could see hurt flash across his face for a brief moment before he managed to hide it, and it killed me. All I could hope for was getting Remi better so we could take new pictures and build new memories that he would be part of. I could think of no better way to heal the damage.
Chase forgave me for everything. I could feel it whenever he looked at me, and especially when he touched me, or kissed me… but I couldn’t lie to myself that he wasn’t in pain and it would take time and a lot of love to get him through it.
