Page 97 of Filthy Player
“Okay.” I swallowed a thick mass in my throat and squeezed his hand. “Hit me with it.”
“Melanie found me a place at Crossroads Townhomes.”
“What?” I knew the development. It was a fifty-five and older community on a golf course. He was barely eligible. “Why? You’ve always said those places were for old people.”
“I know what I said, but I’ve changed my mind. It’ll be good for me,” he said. “Lots of people around and things to do in the clubhouse. The places are all one-level and only two bedrooms. It’ll be easier for me to manage.”
Nothing was computing. I shook my head. “But you’re doing better.”
“Yeah, and I don’t need Melanie hovering over me at home, and I don’t need you pausing your life to take care of me.”
“I wasn’t—”
“You were. But now you got a man who loves you and a life to lead with him, and you, doing whatever you want. I’ve already talked to Mike. I’m handing over the garage to both of you. He can lead the mechanics and you can handle the garage.” He waved a hand in the air. “Or figure it out for yourselves or walk away. That’s your choice.”
“I like the garage.” I didn’t necessarily want to own it, but it was my family’s. For that reason alone, I didn’t want to let it go. He’d talked before about leaving it to Mike and me, but I had still thought that was years down the road, decades, even.
Emotion gripped me, lodging in my throat. My chin trembled as I stared at my dad. “Everything’s changing so quickly.”
“And it’s about damn time it does. All of this needed to happen. It’s time we move forward.”
“What about when you’re better?”
His brown eyes softened, and he held my hand to his mouth, kissing it. “I ain’t ever gonna get one hundred percent better, Paige, sweetie. And even if I do, I’m still getting old. I’m tired of being alone. I don’t want to be a burden to you, and I need to live my life the best I can. It’s not living in that house, unable to take care of it, unable to take care of myself. This development gives me that freedom, plus, they have an on-site medical facility so I can continue getting help if I need it.”
“So it’s all decided, then.” This was a lot of information thrown at me at once, and Beaux had promised he’d talk to me about these decisions.
Yet, for once, I couldn’t summon the energy to become angry.
Everything my dad said was right, as much I despised change and thinking of him getting older. And Beaux had already proven all he wanted to do was be there for me, to help make my life better.
“Where will I live?” I asked, trying to follow everything my dad was saying.
“In the house, but to be honest, I think you got yourself a man who for a long time, isn’t going to let you out of his sight again, honey. Worried I wouldn’t see the day you found a man who would love you and take care of you the way you needed it, but Beaux’s got that for you in spades.”
Before I could say anything, the door opened and the doctor walked in, Beaux right behind him carrying my water.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
PAIGE
“You have to go,” I whispered to Beaux. Even though I’d told him I wanted to go to his house when I left the hospital, I’d then remembered it was Saturday.
He was supposed to be getting on a plane for an away game.
He scowled at me. “I’m not going. And I’m not playing. You’re nuts if you think I’m leaving you right now.”
I scanned the room. Jaxon had followed us home from the hospital. Melanie and my dad were there. Mike and two other mechanics, Lance and Killian, had come over to welcome me home.
People who cared about me and would protect me, surrounded me.
Nothing would happen, especially with Hannah not being alive, which was still something I was trying not to think about.
“You have to,” I said, my voice firmer. “I’m not having you miss a game when it’s not necessary.” He opened his mouth but I held up my hand. “Please. Do this for me. I’ll be here resting all weekend, just like the doctor ordered, and when you get back tomorrow, I’ll be waiting for you at your place.”
He lost his scowl and grinned mischievously. “Our place.”
“What?”
