He interrupts me again. “I can’t.”
I want to ask him if that’s showing up or an excuse, but I also want to be sensitive to what he’s dealing with. I don’t throw those words at him. Maybe the way he sees it, he’s showing up for his teammates.
But I also know he’ll regret it if he doesn’t pay his final respects. I know from personal experience.
“Can I tell you a story?” I ask carefully.
He grunts some reply, so I dive right in.
“I didn’t go to my grandmother’s funeral. She was my dad’s mom, and we only saw her a few times a year, but we had a special bond. My parents needed someone to watch my youngersiblings, and rather than pay a babysitter, they asked me to do it. I was thirteen and felt like I didn’t have much choice. Because I helped them out, I missed saying goodbye. It’s a moment I’ll never get back, Dex. I could talk to her up in heaven, sure, but it’s not the same as those final respects. It’s not the same as being with the other people who loved her so much and sharing in both grief and memories.”
He sighs. “You’re telling me to step up and do the right thing without saying those words.”
“I’m telling you that you don’t want to live with regrets, Dex.”
“The funeral is Friday morning in Chicago.”
“I can get you there on the latest flight Thursday and an afternoon flight back to California on Friday,” I say.
He’s quiet a minute as he contemplates it, and then he says, “Meet me there. With Jack.”
“Of course,” I whisper, and tears fill my eyes that he’d want me there for it.
“I’ll see if we can stay the night at Madden’s place. He plays for San Diego now, but he kept his place in the city,” he says. “He won’t have a crib or anything, though.”
“We’ll make it work,” I say. I can pack a travel bassinet and everything we need.
Truth be told, I’ve never traveled with a baby before.
“His birth certificate is in the safe in my office. The key is in the middle desk drawer,” he says, and it feels heavy that he’s trusting me with this sort of thing.
“I promise I’ll take care of everything,” I say.
“Thanks, Birdie,” he says quietly, and his little use of his special nickname for me gives me butterflies.
“Of course.” We end the call, and I set to work.
CHAPTER 30: Dex Bradley
Wife and Kid
Coach Nash gave me clearance to leave for twenty-four hours to attend the funeral, but I won’t be gone that long. Actually, he told me my place on the team is secure and I could take an extra day or two if I need it.
“I need to show up for my team.” Those were my words to him, and he looked…proudof me.
It’s rare to have anyone look at me with pride. Sure, I make killer sacks and great plays, and fans cheer me on. But my parents have never looked at me with pride. I was always the troublemaker, the one causing them early onset gray hairs—according to my mother, anyway.
My mother, who I’ll probably have to see in the next twenty-four hours. It’s only a small part of why I told Ainsley to meet me there.
Ford is coming in, too, and more than likely my parents will attend the funeral. Any chance to put in an appearance, I suppose—especially with an elite crowd of football players and coaches, both pro and college, in attendance. My father will see it as an opportunity for business, and my mother will see it as an opportunity to socialize.
I just see it for what it is: a funeral celebrating the life of one of the greatest men I know.
I need to call Madden to ask if I can stay at his place, but something seems to stop me short.
It takes me a while to piece together what it is, and it’s once the day is quiet as I lie down to fall asleep that it hits me.
My father’s words about my older brother.
