“Sure, but Mom left because of him.”
“She didn’t have to leave Hearts Bend and move all the way to Charlotte.”
He shrugged. “True.”
“I think you should talk to your dad. If not about the past, then about your career. Mom says he’s a smart businessman. He’ll have good words for you.”
13
Saturday morning, Sam drove through the Tennessee spring morning, back to Hearts Bend. He’d had a short night after dropping off Chloe and returning to Nashville. He’d awakened early, thinking about his career choices. If he had any. Could he afford to sit out a season? Did he have to leave Nashville? The thought of a move when he finally felt connected to Hearts Bend again didn’t sit right. Move when he had a business here. Move when he and Chloe were starting…something. Did he really have any choice, though? If the Titans traded him to the Raiders, he’d have to go. His Titans contract gave them the right to send him wherever they wanted. He was lucky—blessed?—that Bruno was on top of it.
He parked in front of Haven’s. Coffee before his therapy at Dr. Morgan’s—he’d pleaded for an extra Saturday session—was all he had time for. And maybe a stolen kiss from Chloe. She was right about one thing. He and Frank needed to talk. Maybe about the past, definitely about his career. And he would, soon. He got out of his SUV and made his way to the sidewalk.
“Sam? Is that you?”
He turned and was enveloped in a bear hug. “Gabe?” He could only mumble into a crush of navy blue velour. Sam hadn’t given Gabe much thought since the Rock Mill High linebacker had decided against attending UT in favor of a smaller school where he’d see more playing time. Sam had heard that after college graduation, Gabe returned home to marry his high school sweetheart.
“Good to see you.” Gabe slapped Sam on the back. “It’s been too long.”
“Yeah, you too. How are you?”
“Great!” Gabe pointed across the street to a minivan where a dark-haired young woman wrangled a toddler and had a baby strapped to her chest with an elaborate-looking scarf-thing. “Coaching at Rock Mill High. Who’d’ve thought? You remember Elena? And those are our two-year-old and baby. Hey, hon,” he called. “I’ll catch up with you at the fountain.” She nodded and waved and directed the kid toward the pathway into the park.
“I heard you were back in town,” Gabe said.
“Not really. Just helping out with Haven’s. My partner and I bought it.”
“You should come to my men’s prayer group sometime.”
Prayer group? Where did that come from? Sam didn’t remember Gabe being especially religious. “I’m not a prayer group kind of guy.”
Gabe searched Sam’s face. “Well, you’re a man. That’s pretty much the only requirement. And a willingness to talk to God.”
“Yeah, that’s where I’m stalled, Gabe,” Sam said. “I’m not much of an example of a stand-up guy. There’s no legacy of honor or faithfulness in my family.”
Gabe put a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “So, start fresh. That’s the whole point of the Gospel. Old things go. New things come. Why don’t you try my group?”
Was it that simple? Talk to God and old things went away and new things came in? Good things?
“Maybe,” Sam said. “But, Gabe, can I ask you a question?”
Gabe pushed his sunglasses to his forehead. “Sure. What’s up?”
“When you graduated from Middle Tennessee and decided to come back to Hearts Bend, not go for the draft. Have you ever…” He trailed off, not sure how to ask his question.
“Have I ever regretted giving up the chance at a pro career and potentially millions of dollars for a job teaching and coaching in my hometown? Marrying my high school girlfriend?”
“Something like that.”
Gabe folded his arms over his barrel chest. “I wasn’t going to be drafted, Sam, at least not high and not for big bucks. San Francisco was interested, but I would’ve been on the practice squad. Nice money but not for the abuse my body was taking.” He pointed to Sam’s healing knee. “Football from the time I was a ten-year-old Junior Pee Wee to four years in college. After twelve years of that, the body just wants a break.”
“I’m healing. My body is ready to get back in the game. But, Gabe, no regrets? Not one?”
He looked toward the park, where his wife and children had disappeared behind the rose bushes, and his expression softened. “Not one.”
“Huh.”
“How about you?” Gabe pointed at Sam and raised his brows.
