“To New York?”
“Yeah.”
I tilt my head. “Bay, why do you think I came home?”
She puts Leo on the bed and tucks pillows around him so he doesn’t roll off. “At first I thought you’d heard about Leo and came to help. It finally dawned on me that was impossible.” Turning to face me, she shrugs. “But then I figured you were here to rehab some more.”
I’m about to respond when she places her hand on mine. “Wait. Before you say anything, I need to apologize for breaking up with you. I’ve been sick about it all week. If we have to do long distance, I’ll give it my best shot. I’m sorry I gave up so easily. I know I can be stubborn, but I’ll never forgive myself if I lose you.”
Knowing she would’ve met me halfway only confirms I’ve made the right choice. “Thank you, baby. That means the world to me. But I’m not home to rehab. And just to be clear, had I heard Leo was missing, I would’ve jumped on a plane in a heartbeat. No matter what else was going on.”
Her eyes go glassy, and she hugs me. “Thank you.”
I kiss the top of her head. “I don’t need thanks for doing what’s right.”
Leaning back, she glances up at me, a furrow to her brow. “Then why are you home?”
I smile. “I flagged my physical. I’m officially retired. Surprise.”
That furrow deepens. “Why do you look happy about this? I thought you wanted to play for a few more years.”
“When I got back to New York I realized what you were saying, that I needed to figure this out on my own. So I made mychoice for myself. I would’ve been home sooner, but I had a mountain of paperwork to sign and meetings all week. And I needed time to wrap my head around this decision.”
She swallows. “I just don’t want you to regret this.”
I rest my finger over her lips. “There’s no regret. I’m at peace with everything. If my options are to play a game that might paralyze me or kill me because I’ll never be healed enough, or live a life with my best friend? I’ll take option two. All I did was see the first neurosurgeon, who stood by his earlier statement that I shouldn’t play. While I’m feeling better, he’s still concerned the right hit could do some serious damage, and given the position I play, I wasn’t crazy about those odds.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Babe, I’ve done a lot of soul searching this week. Do you know why I started playing?”
“Because you love the game?”
“That’s one reason. But the other one was to get away from Gus. And here’s the thing, I’m not running from my father anymore.”
She laces our fingers together. “I’m so sorry he was an asshole to you.”
“It was tough at the time, but I got through it because of you, my brothers, and football. And Bay, when I got injured, I thought that was the worst thing that could happen to me. Turns out, losing you was. I love you, peach. I came home to build a life with you. I wanna see my brothers and our families grow old together.”
The smile she gives me makes my heart beat faster. “I love you too, Mav. So much.”
We kiss, and I’m ready to forget anything exists outside of this camper.
Except my phone buzzes on the counter for the millionth time. Vance.
“How did your agent take the news?” she asks after she sees his name flash on my screen.
“He’s pissed. But I suspect he’s just upset about his salary cut getting diminished because I can’t return.”
She rests her head against my chest. “I’m so sorry. I know how badly you wanted this.”
“I’ll get over it. Besides, I have plans.” I wrap my arms around her and breathe in her peachy scent. “Football was my dream, but so are you and Leo.”
She runs her hands through my hair. “This doesn’t feel real. You’re really back to stay?”
I kiss her. “For as long as you’ll have me.”
She laughs. “Then you’d better get comfortable.”
