“I’m starting to think maybe someone just changed mine.”
He nods once, like he somehow understands.
The cab merges into traffic, horns blaring, the city waking up around us.
Bruised head. Unsteady emotions… heart. And a destination I didn’t plan to go to until five seconds ago.
Change of plans, indeed.
“I never asked,” I say quietly. “What’s your name?”
“Marco,” he answers, still smiling like his face doesn’t remember how to do anything else.
“Marco,” I repeat. “Give me your number. I’d love to get you and your boys tickets to a game.”
He lets out a breath like he’s been punched in the hope-gland. “For real?”
“For real.”
He hesitates, then smirks. “Give me one good reason.”
I arch a brow. “I just offered you NHL seats.”
“No,” he says, shaking his head like he’s testing me. “You once told us never to take anything without giving a reason to deserve it. Earn the world you want.”
Damn. I did say that. Sixteen-year-old him heard every fucking syllable.
I nod. “So, what’s the goal now, Marco?”
He lifts his chin. Voice steady. Confident.
“Graduate sober. Walk across that stage and not in the ground. That’s my goal.”
It hits me hard. Like a clean check to the ribs.
He continues, “So if you really want to motivate me, here’s my incentive: I hit my two-year degree milestone in December and prove it? Then you hand me those tickets.”
I blink. Twice. No bullshit. Because that’s the kind of goal that matters. “That’s a hell of a plan.”
“It’s the only one,” he replies.
“Hand me your phone.” He does and I punch my number into his phone and send myself a text. “You earn it, you remind me. I’ll take care of the seats.”
He grins, hits the gas, “Deacon Moretti just gave me his number.”
“Yeah,” I chuckle.
“What’s your lawyer gonna say about that?” He laughs.
“She’s gonna tell me you earned it. Proud of you, Marco.”
“Fuck, Moretti, don’t make me cry like a bitch in front of you.”
Then I see her through the windshield. Dark hair. Stroller. Claudia. Walking a block from Waverly.
“Stop here,” I say abruptly.
Marco brakes. “Everything good?”
