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“I intend to have a relationship with the woman I love, who’s mom married my pop right before I turned eighteen.” I hear the edge in my voice warning him to drop it, but he doesn’t.
“I…Well that’s…We can’t have that.”
“We can’t have what?”
“You can’t date your stepsister. The press would have a field day with that.”
“My personal life doesn’t concern the press.” I don’t care that Christian is my boss, he’s out of line telling me who I can and can’t date.
“You’re a former NFL quarterback, you work for the Stallions. Your personal life became fair game the moment you entered the league.” He looks at me like he can't believe I’d be so naïve.
“I’ll say it another way.” I stare him down. “The press won’t dictate what I do in my personal life.”
“The press might not, but I will. You can’t subject the organization to the kind of publicity that would result from dating your stepsister,” he hisses, his face turning a brilliant shade of puce.
“Stepsister is a misleading label. I’m sure people will see through it once they know the facts.” The warning is back in my voice, telling him not to go there, but once again he ignores it.
“That’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”
“Are you saying I have to choose?” I lean back in my chair and cross my arms.
“I am, son. I’m sorry, but that’s the world we live in.”
Unbelievable.
“I guess there’s no choice, really.” I reach for my computer.
“I’m glad you agree…what are you doing?”
“Leaving.” I turn it off.
“You can’t leave. We have a contract.” He watches me pack my things in horror.
“You terminated that contract the moment you gave me an ultimatum that isn’t covered under the terms of my employment.” I take my diploma and my most recent team photos off the wall and stick them in my bag. “Have a great season.”
If anyone notices him sitting open-mouthed in my office as I walk out, they don’t let on, so I manage to leave without incident. When I get home, I take out my frustrations on the kitchen cabinets with a sledgehammer.
Sawyer
Thecontractorsaregonewhen I pull in the drive, but rather than feeling grateful I won’t have to dodge them I feel apprehensive, because I’m starting to believe I belong here.
It’s only been a few short days since I agreed to start over, and already the anger and hurt from the past eight years are starting to fade. That’s a good thing, but it’s happening so fast I don’t know how to trust it.
I believe Wes is sincere when he says he wants a future with me. That he regrets the way things played out all those years ago. But am I truly over what happened? Do I forgive him? I want to.
I’m wrestling with this thought as I step inside to find Wes swinging a sledgehammer at the fireplace.
“Isn’t that your dad’s job?” I tease from the doorway, admiring the lean muscles his t-shirt can’t hide.
“Not anymore.”
“You fired your dad?” I can’t hide the surprise in my voice.
“Of course not. I just put myself on the crew.” He takes another swing, knocking several bricks to the floor.
“I thought the whole point of having a crew to do the work is having them do what you don’t have time for?”
“It is. But that was before I had extra time on my hands.” He takes another swing, like he’s trying to hit a home run instead of simply knocking a few bricks off the wall. The hammer connects to the bricks with a satisfying crack.
