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“Have I mentioned how impressed I am with your game today? You threw for six hundred and three yards. That’s a record. I bet you already have scouts watching.”
It wasn’t a record, but I appreciated the sentiment and his support. If I’d thrown for over seven hundred and thirty-four yards, a record both Connor Halliday and Patrick Mahomes held, I would have broken a record for most yards thrown in a single college game.
“Coach hasn’t brought it to my attention yet, but that would be great.”
“May I offer a suggestion?” He picked up his whiskey and took a small sip.
“Sure.” I grinned. We both knew he would, regardless of what I said.
“Finish college. You will take the NFL by storm, but anything can happen. Hopefully, you’ll have a long career, but if the unforeseeable happens…” He blinked hard. “I’m not even going to give that a voice because I don’t want to jinx anything. All I’m saying is you need to have a backup.”
“School is…” I hated how hard it was.
“You’re smart, Phoenix. Don’t think of anything else. If you need help, there are tutors. I know how hard it can be to fit all the studying and homework in when you’re putting a minimum of forty hours a week into football. Don’t be too proud to ask.”
I nodded. It wasn’t quite that simple, but I didn’t want to get into it.
“And there is always my company. I plan to turn it over to you and Shane someday.”
“I do. I’m just not sure business is my path.”
“Don’t you worry about anything. I just wanted to put it out there. Focus on the NFL, but keep a backup career in mind in case you need it one day. And the family business will be there waiting too.” He paused and gazed wistfully into the distance. “Nona and my time at Thane were completely different. There is no comparison. I made a name for myself that’s lived on in Thane’s football legacy, but the real one is in my family—in you boys. Let me tell you that I appreciate how you and Shane are making your own way and not using our family name to get by.”
He was talking about how the library had a plaque commemorating the generous donations from the Bennett family, which had allowed them to add to the impressive building a few years back.
I dug into my steak. There was no use in trying to interrupt. He could talk the entire time and would take offense if I tried. Old-school. Or something.
“I’m not getting any younger, and there will come a time when you’re expected to lead the family. I know you’re struggling with school. But you need to stay on the true path, the family path. There should be no distractions.”
I set my fork down.What is going on? Is he sick?“Are you all right?”
“Of course. Never better. I’m talking about your future.”
I sagged against my chair. “You had me worried for a second.” I guessed I shouldn’t have said that, as he looked offended. Grandad was a huge man. It was too bad he hadn’t gone pro. He’d always said he could have, but Shane and I had wondered whether he hadn’t been invited to the draft, if maybe he wasn’t quite good enough.
“As I was saying.” He paused for dramatic effect.
I missed Mom and Nona being there more than ever. They seemed to soften his sharp edges. They distracted him enough that Shane and I could escape whatever lecture he was determined to impart. Grandad expected us to do as we were told. It was how he’d been raised. He was stern and often hard-nosed. There was no escape.
“You have talent, Phoenix, enough that you’ll be a top pick in the NFL. There should be no distractions. If your grandmother had lived, if she were at my side today, I never would have found the drive to expand my business to its success. She was too captivating, too distracting.”
I had to stop my jaw from falling open. I respected Grandad, but sitting through his monologues was painful. What he’d just said spoke to me in ways that had me wondering if he knew about Aspen and the baby.
He kept talking, and my mind spun with the message he hammered home. He was correct. If I made it, it would be my responsibility to take care of the family, to finally make sure that Mom retired and never wanted for anything again. She worked herself to the bone to give Shane and me the life she thought we should have had, especially after our sperm donor of a father left us all high and dry, aside from the house.
We finished dinner, and Grandad dropped me back at my SUV, which was still parked at the stadium. I promised I would tell Shane he said goodbye and that we would be home soon for a family dinner.
He hadn’t mentioned anything about Aspen or the baby, but I got the distinct feeling he knew. Shane probably told him.
I hated how disconnected we were. I had to get him alone so we could hash it out with either words or fists. I didn’t care what or how or when… I just wanted things to go back to normal between us. We also needed to talk about what Grandad had said. There was his business to consider. I had zero desire to run it, but I wasn’t opposed to hiring someone qualified to oversee everything in my absence unless it interested Shane. It would have been nice to know what my brother was thinking.
I knew he could handle what needed to be done about the company and a career in the NFL. Unlike me, Shane was smart.
I resolved to focus harder than ever. If I didn’t get my grades up, I could lose everything and let Mom and Grandad down.
Grandad was right.There can’t be any distractions.
CHAPTER TEN
