“And he’s my husband.”
“In name only.We all know you’ve been in the States…doing your thing.”
“And now I’m back.”He wasn’t having this discussion with Mike.This was between him and Ian.
“For real, man?”Mike searched his eyes, something like hope in them.“I mean, if Florida calls you back up?Then what?”
“Are you kidding me?You were there at my last check-up.I’m never going to play professionally again.My career is gone.You get that?Gone.”
“That’s enough.”Ian glared at them, eyebrow arching.“Seriously.If JP goes back to work, then JP and I will figure things out together.If he never goes back to playing pro?Then JP and I will figure things out.Together.”
JP threw Ian a grateful glance, happy for the support.
“I’m just looking out for you, Ian.I was the one who was here when he left.I know how it affected you.I don’t want him making new promises he won’t keep.”
“And you are an amazing brother.”Ian gave Mike a hard hug.“You saved me over and over during the last few years.Thank you.But I need to try to make this work.For JP, for the kids, and for me.”
“You are the luckiest son of a bitch on the earth, man.And if you hurt him again I will come find you and kill you.”Mike poked his finger in JP’s chest.
“Noted,” he growled.
“Good boys.Can you two be friends now?”
“He used to be my best friend,” JP said.
“That’s before you crushed Ian’s heart.”
“I get it.I don’t plan on hurting him again.”He was done with this conversation.He grabbed his walker and hauled himself up, heading for the bathroom.
“Guys, please.”Ian put one hand on JP’s arm.“Please, can’t you two have a beer and chill?”
“I don’t know – you’ll have to ask Mike.”
“Michael?”
Mike stared at JP, then nodded.“I missed you, man.We could have a beer.”
He felt something ease in his shoulders and neck, and he nodded.“I still need to use the head, but this time I hope you’re still here when I get back.”
“I’ll grab the beers.You want one, Ian?”
“Not while the babies are awake, but I will order pizza here in a bit, fair?”
“I won’t have a beer until later, then,” JP said before he left the room.He was used to the walker now and could maneuver pretty well with it.He supposed he had to celebrate these little victories because there wasn’t going to be the big one that he really wanted.
Five minutes later he was back in the living room, sitting back down on the couch and raising his leg up onto the ottoman.
“Dad!Dad, Uncle Mike is here!”Tori came to sit next to him.“He’s holding Petey.”
She pointed, like he couldn’t see them.
“I know.He’s going to stay for pizza.Isn’t that fun?”He reminded himself that Mike had been an asshole because he was just looking out for Ian.That let him muster up a genuine smile.
“Uh-huh.I loves pizza.I loves pizza, and Uncle Mike and Daddy and DA-A-A-A-AD!”The last was sung at the top of her lungs.
“But are yousureyou do?”he teased.
“I am SO SUUUUUUURE!”She threw herself back on the sofa, so happy.
