“That’s the one. But before you ask, that’s not why I was traded here.”
“I wasn’t gonna ask. Not my business. But James knows, right?”
“He does now.” I look at him, my brows raised.
“Oh shit. Like, recently?”
“Yeah, but that’s not really the problem.” I sigh. “I only found out that I had a daughter when I got here. And it wasn’t a planned meet. I walked into Alie’s office, and there she was.”
“Oh shit.”
“Yeah, turns out, my old college teammate Aaron Muldoon told her I didn’t want the baby when she found out she was pregnant. But he didn’t. When I asked him for her number, he blew me off, saying she didn’t want to have anything to do with me, that I was just a fling.”
“Okay, I gotta stop you. This is soap-opera bullshit right here. Aaron Muldoon is a piece of shit. I’m so glad he’s not playing with us anymore. Sucks, just seeing him around the building. But go on …” He gestures for me to continue.
“Right? I tolerated him, at best, in college.” I suck in a breath and exhale slowly. “Anyway, Alie and I are in a really good place,and Sera … she’s just perfect. She has me wrapped around her little finger.”
“She is a really cute kid. And now that I know she’s yours, I can see the resemblance. It’s the eyes.” He nods.
“Yeah, that’s what I noticed the first time I saw her too. So, Aaron showed up today and started telling her lies. And I think she’s confused, like she doesn’t know if she believes him or not. And it sucks because they’ve been friends for, like, their whole lives, and I’m just coming in and trying to build a life with my daughter and hopefully with her.” I run my hand through my hair.
“That’s heavy. And you’re stuck here for another few weeks, while he’s there in her ear.” He shakes his head. “That really sucks.”
“I know. And it’s not like I can do something stupid, like storm into Coach’s office and demand to leave like I’m not some grown man, a team leader, with obligations and a career that impacts more than just me.”
My words hang in the silence as we walk, looping back around to the dorm. Because what can he really say?
“Do you want my advice?” he finally says, as we approach the building.
I sigh. “Yeah, go ahead.”
“I’ve known the Grant family for quite a few years now, and Alie’s a good egg. She’s smart, and she seems to have a level head about her. She’ll figure it out.” He pauses. “She’ll realize Muldoon is an asshole. And if she doesn’t, that’s on her, but I don’t think that’ll happen. You’ll work this out. You have a kid together. So, whatever happens with the two of you, you’re tied for the rest of your lives.”
I know he’s right, but I want it all.
One restless night of sleep later, I’m on the field again, and everything feels off. We had meetings this morning in ourgroups, watched film, had lunch, all normal. Practice starts like always—warm-up, stretching, footwork, loosening up my arm, running routes.
Aston cracks jokes that everyone laughs at. Brody is hyper-focused on drills. Saint calls out defensive adjustments like he’s creating the game plans himself. And I … go through the motions that a team leader should. I’m here physically, but mentally? I’m in New York, picturing Alie when she said she didn’t know what to believe.
I feel like a man being tested. Like a man on the edge of losing something he just found. The most important piece of my life could be gone, as quickly as it came to me.
Coach blows the whistle, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Pitz! Eyes up.”
I snap back. “Yes, Coach.”
My focus slips again. Because I can’t stop hearing the words she said.
“He says you’re lying.”
My hands tighten into fists. I did not lie. I didn’t fucking know. I would have been there for every second if I had. I would have been at all the appointments. I would have been at the hospital, holding her hand. I would have gotten to hold Sera when she was tiny. I would’ve done the late nights, the diaper changes, and the exhausted mornings. I would’ve done it all. Because Sera is mine. And I’m already attached to this tiny human in a way I never thought possible. I’m attached in a way that makes me want to burn the world down if anyone tries to take her from me. Again.
Practice wraps for the day, and it wasn’t my best performance. They’re probably wondering why they traded for me. And I should be concerned about it, but I’m not.
After a quick shower, I make my way to the dining hall for dinner, but stop and take a seat on a bench to call Alie.
It rings once. Twice. Voicemail. Then I try again. Voicemail.
I lean forward and put my head in my hands.
