by Kristy Marie
I shake my head and attempt to ignore his last sentence. “But what if something happens?”
His eyebrows go up.
“I mean, what if we argue and I make her cry?” I try again.
He licks his finger. “Then I’d make you cry, Bennett. What’s the point in all of this?”
I sigh. “I can’t risk loving your daughter and destroying my father’s friendship with you.”
Like I’ve just told him I was a butterfly, Theo stands. “Newsflash, Pain in the Ass Number Two, nothing and no one will ever come between me and Cade. If you hurt my daughter, I know your father will kick your ass for me.”
“What if Aspen hurts me?” I smother a laugh.
He waves me off. “We’d fuss at her. Happy? Is that what you want to hear? Either way, nothing changes with our family.” He gives me a look. “Because we are a family. All of us.”
His words settle around me. Something I never considered.
“Don’t look at me like that, Bennett. Was I not the one who picked you up from school when you had strep throat in third grade?”
I nod. “And was it also me who ended up binge watching the entire Power Rangers series in your room while we were quarantined from the rest of the house?”
I smile ever so slightly. “Yes, sir. I remember I got you sick.”
“Damn right you did.” He picks a sashimi piece off my plate and shoves it in his mouth. “And was it not me who taught you how to drive a stick?”
I lift one shoulder. “Dad taught me too.”
“Psh.” He waves me off. “Your father can’t drive for shit. I couldn’t have you endangering Aspen’s life with those skills.”
I laugh.
“The point is, Bennett, thanks to my wife, our families will forever be intertwined. I—” He pretends to gag. “—love you just as much as I love your father. You’re my fucking demon too. Nothing you could ever say or do will change that. So please stop being a fucking martyr and go after what you want.”
I watch him for a minute, waiting for the inevitable but. It never comes.
“This is the time when you say, ‘yes, sir.’”
I grin. “Yes, sir.” I confirm. “I will go after what I want.”
He stands as headlights pull into the driveway. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a pack of passion fruit bubble gum and tosses it on the counter. “Take this and find some knee pads. The Von Bremen women will make you grovel. I suggest kneeling and taking it like a man.”
I nod, absorbing his words. “I will, sir. Thank you.”
The door opens and my brother and Fenn file through.
“What are you doing here?” Fenn asks. “Did someone from the school call you?”
Theo pushes past me, apparently done with our heart to heart. “Should they have? What did you do this time, boy?”
Fenn scrunches his face. “Nothing.”
Theo grabs him by the back of the neck, pulling him in like he’s going to hug him. “Oh, how I used to lie without blinking. I miss that trait.”
Drew laughs and shoves past them. “You all right?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
“Come on, ya’ll entertain Daddy Theo and show me all the tricks in Madden, so I can beat Jameson when he gets here.”
Fenn scoffs. “We don’t play Madden.”
“Don’t act like you’re disgusted that my old ass does. I will beat your—”
The door opens and my father barges in, looking around the living room.
“Oh thank God,” Theo says, heading to the front door. “I’m so glad you’re here to relieve me. An hour with these demons and they’re trying to convince me to snort hard candy and play Madden.”
Theo scrunches his face. “Kids are heathens.”
Like usual, Dad ignores him, finding my gaze. “You okay?”
I nod and my father visibly relaxes, clapping Theo on the shoulder. “Thanks for calling me.”
Theo looks back at me and tips his chin. “We agreed you couldn’t teach the grandkids to drive or pussy them up with those stupid hug things you like to give.”
My father’s eyes widen in horror. “What? What grandkids?”
Grown-ass men don’t sleep alone
Bennett
I wave off my father’s concern as the door closes behind Theo and Fenn. “He’s joking,” I tell him. “No grandkids are on the horizon.”
At least for several more years.
My father nods, but it seems forced. “Oh good.”
I chuckle. “I swear, Dad. No kids.”
“I’m uh…” Drew interrupts, walking backwards down the hall. “I’m gonna give you two some time to chat.”
And disappear just in case Dad wants to lay into him about something.
“I’ll stop in before I leave,” Dad calls, just as Drew clicks the door shut.
Inhaling, I wait for my father to turn, leveling me with a look. “You want to tell me about what happened today?”
The word no is on the tip of my tongue, but I hold back. All this started by me not talking to my father—feeling like I had to protect him. Even if Theo says nothing will destroy his friendship with my dad, it doesn’t mean my father won’t self-sabotage if things go wrong.
“Bennett,” he puts his hand on my shoulder. “Have a seat.”
I gaze out at the sofa like it’s my end. This conversation could go horribly wrong and ruin so many things for our family. “I’d rather stand, sir,” I answer carefully.
My father’s dark brows arch. “You must have thought I asked you a question.”
I groan and lumber over to the couch and plop down, my elbows on my knees. This is not how I wanted this to go.
“Now, shall we try again?” My father sits next to me. “What happened today, Bennett?”
I could admit saying goodbye to Aspen put me in a shitty mood, but my father already knows that. What he doesn’t know is why Theo called him here. “Uncle Theo exaggerated,” I say with a sigh.
“He does that.” My father’s voice is amused but still very much guarded. “But generally, he doesn’t text to tell me I had better get my ass up here and talk to my son.”
“How do you know it wasn’t Drew in need of a chat?”
He doesn’t smile. “Bennett. I won’t ask you again.”
My father doesn’t repeat himself. Not that I know what happens after the last straw breaks. I’ve never been fool enough to try my father’s patience. Burying my face in my hands, I sigh. “I love Aspen.”
The words simply spill out. It wasn’t as hard to admit to my father as I thought.
My father chuckles. “I see.”
I raise my head, confused at his reaction. “I don’t want to love her,” I admit sadly. “If things were to go bad and Theo—”
“What does Theo have to do with anything?” A shadow of a grin emerges.
“I never want to risk ruining our relationship with the Von Bremens,” I finally admit after a moment.
Dad’s jaw clenches, his eyes narrow and firm. “Nothing will ever ruin my relationship with Anniston and Theo. Not that you ever need to be concerned about me.”
This is going terrible. “You know that’s not true,” I argue.
I knew immediately when his cheek twitched and his forearm flexed, my words had an unintended effect.
“What exactly are you saying, Bennett? That somehow you became the parent and sole caretaker for this family?” Great, he’s being sarcastic now.
“No, sir. I—”
“Wanted to tiptoe around me like I’m some delicate child on the verge of a tantrum?”
I shake my head. “No. That’s not what I mean at all.” I rake a hand through my hair. “I know your relationship with Theo and Anniston is important to you—” I hesitate, “—to your mental health.”
My father laughs and I don’t miss that it’s void of humor. “You did this all for me then?”
My head drops to my chest. “Is it wrong that I wanted you to be happy?”
I nod. “They are the ones who changed your life.”
My father sighs, mimicking my habit of raking his hands through his hair. “It’s true, the Von Bremens and the foundation have been very good to me. They saved my life and helped me create a new one. But the happiness came when I met your mother—” He taps my shoulder, “—when I had you boys. Nothing in this world will ever bring me as much joy as my family.”
“But Theo—”
“—is a great friend,” my dad interrupts firmly. “But not the key to my happiness.” He sits back on the couch. “Bennett, did you know that your mother had never met me when she packed up her life in New York and moved to Georgia to find me?”
I shake my head.
“She was insanity wrapped in a petite package.”
I smile, watching as his face changes when he talks of my mother. “Like you, she worried about her brother’s commanding officer.” He sighs. “She had recognized me in the paper. I was homeless, resting in front of a building that was soon to be renovated. Your mother’s brother had died, under my watch. She still mourned, yet she was more worried about where my life was headed.” Inhaling, he levels me with a sad look. “I’m not perfect. I have demons I may never slay. I didn’t want to love your mother. Hell, I did everything I could to drive her away. But you know what?” He chuckles. “She was fucking relentless in her pursuit.”
Leaning back, I relax. “What made you change your mind about her?”
He shrugs. “I realized I was a miserable bastard without her.” His eyes drift further away before he blinks and finds my gaze. “Since I was thirty years old, people I love have been putting me first. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by selfless friends and family. However, my children will never put me first. That’s not your job. It’s mine. You, your brother, and mother are my priority. Your happiness matters to me.”
“But sir.” He’s not understanding. “If I could prevent causing you grief, then—”
“Bennett!” He snaps. “I am a grown ass man. I do not need you worrying. Nothing will ever come between what’s important to me. If you love Aspen, then love her, son. I’ll deal with Theo and his drama.”
“And what if it ends badly?” I worry.
He shrugs. “Then at least you went after what you wanted.”
“But—”
I can tell his patience is waning. “But nothing, Bennett. Nothing, not even you and Aspen fighting will drive me and Von Bremen apart.”
It’s basically the same thing Theo said.
“Son,” he claps a hand on my knee, “from the time you were born, I’ve known you would be the last string to tie our families together. Theo knew it; your mother knew it. We all watched you and Aspen love one another more and more with each passing day. The only one fighting this is you.”
I blink back at my father. “I’m not fighting it.”
“Aren’t you?”
I shake my head, at a loss.
“You’re scared, I get it,” he says. “But you’re more like your mother and her side of the family—stubborn, fearless, and full of heart. Your mother didn’t question her feelings for me. She merely acted on them with no back-up plan. Don’t let my demons be yours, Bennett. Live your life. Don’t worry what tomorrow holds or if you’ll piss Aspen off. You will because we aren’t perfect, but we are forgiving, and we are relentless. Don’t let fear impede your future, son.”
I work down the knot that’s formed in my throat. “Are you sure it’s okay?”
“What did Theo say?”
I roll my eyes. “That he’ll never be rid of you.”
“Exactly,” my father says with a wide smile. “Stop trying to take care of everyone else. Do what you want.”
I stand. “Thank you, sir.”
“Where are you going?”
“To get what I want.”
My father rolls his eyes and yanks me back down onto the cushion. “What else do you want, Bennett?”
“What?”
He knocks his leg into mine. “What is your plan? If you go to Boston, you’ll have no job, no football career, and an extra year of school that may or may not put you back on the field.”
I feel the muscles in my jaw go tight. “I thought you said to go after what I wanted.”
“I did, but you have to want more than just Aspen.” He cocks his head to the side, studying me. “Do you want to play pro football?”
I don’t hesitate. “More than anything.”
“So why transfer schools when you’re so close to declaring for the draft?”
Suddenly, this father-son heart to heart went down the proverbial toilet. “I can’t have both.”
“Why can’t you?”
He makes it sound so simple, like spending a year without Aspen is no big deal. “What if I get drafted to Texas?”
My dad nods. “Long distance is doable.”
I cut him a look. “Didn’t you just preach that mom packed up her entire life for you?”
“She wasn’t a few months from entering the NFL draft.” He stands, fishing a piece of paper out of his pocket. “Why don’t you talk it over with an agent? See what your options are first. Give yourself some time to think of a solid plan to get your girl back.” He squeezes me on the shoulder. “Rest tonight, and tomorrow get a game plan.”
The next morning, I’m up at four am. I’ve gone for a run, given myself insulin, and forced myself not to text Aspen. All in all, I’ve followed my father’s advice and not gotten on a plane without a job or a plan. Those things are today’s problem. One of which, I plan to solve as soon as this Atlanta sports agent’s office opens.
I’m drumming my fingers on the steering wheel impatiently as I watch the digital numbers change on the dash of my car. “Come on,” I mumble. “Can’t anyone ever be an early riser?” Granted, it’s only 7:30 and Atlanta morning traffic almost makes it impossible to get to work on time, but I’d hoped to get this sorted out sooner rather than later. Like any talented quarterback, I need a play, a Hail Mary, to get my girl back before anyone—especially Liam—comforts her in my absence.
My eyelids droop as I fight off fatigue from sleeping extra shitty without Asp by my side. I knew it would be rough but honestly, with all the alcohol I consumed, I thought passing out would be a given. It wasn’t. I literally laid in bed, my senses reaching out for any kind of memory. Her shampoo on my pillow. Her lotion on the bedside table. I was tortured with memories and cold sheets. So, when it was reasonably morning, I hopped out of bed and set out to remedy this nightmare. Except, now that I’m sitting still and not surrounded by memories of Aspen, exhaustion sets in.
Closing my eyes, I inhale, relaxing the tense muscles in my shoulders. The leather seats aren’t as comfortable as the bed but at least they don’t smell like Aspen.
“What did I tell you, Lexington?”
I groan. Even in a strange parking lot in downtown Atlanta, her voice haunts me.
“I told you we’d get the contract. I should charge you more for doubting me.”
Wait. That’s no memory. My eyes fly open and I spot Aspen Von Bremen, clad in a grey pantsuit, a cup of coffee in one hand and her phone in the other. She throws her head back and laughs, juggling her coffee and keys while attempting to open the door.
What the—
I grab my phone and fire off a text to my father, the secret keeper.
Me: An agent, huh?
It’s like I can envision the shit-eating grin on my father’s face as he responds.
Dad: I hear she’s one of the best.
Suddenly, I’m full of energy, watching as the door closes behind Aspen, the blinds to her office opening to reveal a desk and several boxes. I stare at my phone, my chest feeling lighter than it has in the last twenty-four hours.
Me: Thanks, Dad.
Dad: Theo says you’re welcome.
My face hurts with the amount of smiling I’m doin
g right now. She stayed. Somehow, by some miracle, Aspen stayed in Atlanta, forgoing Boston.
Me: What changed her mind?
My father, and probably Theo too, quickly respond.
Dad: Focus, Bennett. You need a game plan and one hell of a pitch to land this agent.
I nod, watching Aspen take a sip of her coffee. She looks tired, but perfect. My father is right; it doesn’t matter why she stayed. It only matters that she did. I don’t plan on wasting this second chance.
Four months later…
“You hanging out with us tonight?”
Bruce, my left tackle, is tying his shoe, his voice hopeful.
I pat his shoulder. “Not tonight. Next time.”
I mean it. In the past four months, I’ve been more social with my team. However, my nights are taken.
“Of course, see you tomorrow then?”
I tip my chin in agreement and head out to the parking lot where I get into the car, pulling out my phone and sending my daily text before heading home.
Me: I’ll cook on Wednesdays.
Starting up the car, I don’t wait for her to answer. She never does, and that’s okay. My texts are purposefully cryptic. Like any good quarterback, I’m waiting on my opening. Soon enough, Aspen will know my intentions with these texts.
“You stalking tonight?” My brother greets me at the door, a beer in his hand.
“Yep.”
I don’t bother explaining how it’s not stalking, more like protecting, but neither Fenn nor Drew really care what I call it. All they care about is that I haven’t been a royal dick these past few months.
Pushing past Drew, I head down the hallway to my bedroom for a few things.
Fenn clears his throat. “You should eat before you go.”