My friend laughs as he tries to catch me. “I’ve picked up a few things over the years.”
The three of us take turns kicking the ball, and thirty minutes later when we’re breathing hard and sweating through our clothes that were not designed for exercise, we call it.
“I can’t wait for the rest of the team to see this place.” I smile. “That was fun.”
Raf opens the door back into the main entry area. “Yeah, well,” he says, “I did promise my wife I’d take you for a run tonight. You know, get all your energy out before bed.”
I shove him and chuckle. “Thanks.”
“Did she get the job?” Joaquín asks.
I look between them. “What job?”
“She has two offers actually,” Raf smiles. “She’s waiting to see if we make the Premier League. If we do,” he explains, “then I’m going to step down from my role as CFO at Define.”
My mouth drops. “What? But... you like your job.”
“I do, but when am I ever going to get the opportunity to play semi-professional rugby? I’m not gonna move away to do it. My life is here. I’m also in my mid-thirties, so how much longer can I realistically play at this level?”
I suppose he has a point. I wouldn’t want to move away either. Not like Isaiah did playing professional rugby in England all those years ago. I love the sport deep in my bones, but part of that love is being able to play alongside my brothers.
“So,” Raf continues, “Ang is gonna take a job in the private mental health field. She’ll make a lot more money than working in public schools.”
“But I gave you guys two million each.”
“Yeah,” he smiles. “And we took a sick tropical vacation and invested the rest of it. Jonah, there’s nothing to worry about. She’s happy to make the change, I’m happy about playing rugby.”
“And he’s not leaving Jimenez Brothers Properties,” Joaquín tacks on. “He’s still the money guy for our company.” He cocks his head andtsks. “Some people can't handle all that pressure.”
Rafael laughs before pushing his brother. “You jackass.Sorry I don’t want to juggletwoCFO positions, a semi-professional rugby career, marriage, and three kids.”
“It’s like I don’t even know who you are anymore,” his younger brother grimaces, trying to keep a serious tone but loses it once they start tussling like children.
I know Joaquín is only teasing him. The Jimenez brothers are a couple of the smartest, hardest working people I know. The pair of them always know what to do, and they’re always two steps ahead. That’s how I know Raf’s decision to leave his executive position at the architecture firm wasn’t made lightly. He and Angie both are rearranging their careers to make Raf’s dream come true—and if I know my rugby super-fan sister the way I do—this is probably her dream too.
They’re so... confident in their careers, and I’m... not. I mean, no one needs a career when you have the kind of money I have, but I can’t help this disconnected feeling I have. It’s like I’m standing on the outside watching real people live their lives, jealous over their shop talk.
Of course, I still want to play rugby and I’m doing everything in my power to level us up. But what Raf said about not knowing how much longer he can play has me thinking, what if I got injured and couldn’t play anymore? What would I do to fill my time? That feeling of disconnection would grow.
But then something one of the parents said to me at Delta’s birthday party pops in. “What if I opened an animal sanctuary?” I ask the guys.
Joaquín’s dark eyebrows shoot up. “Like, at your house?”
I consider that. “Well, my barn might be better for most of the animals.”
“Is that what you wanna do?” Rafael asks.
“I don’t know. Maybe. One of the moms at the birthday party suggested it. I think it could be kinda cool. Now that Dane trusts me, he keeps sending me old or abandonedanimals he can’t rehome. And I loved seeing all those kids light up around them—the parents too. It felt good.”
Raf smiles. “Then I think that's a great idea.”
“Me too.” Joaquín nods. “Do you think you could acquire a cow? Because I’ve always wanted to snuggle one.”
I laugh. “I’ll put in a request to Dr. Brother, DVM. I’m sure Delta and Lo would love for me to get a cow, too.”
“Speaking of,” Joaquín drawls, “have you told her about your lottery win?”
I raise an eyebrow. “No. I’m not allowed to tell anyone.”
