Page 129 of Just Say Yes

Red slid me a mug of coffee without a word, and the warmth seeped into my hands as I sipped it.

“You two are going to be the death of me,” I said, but there was no heat behind it.

“Us?” Arthur said, feigning innocence. “You’ve got enough spirit to handle us just fine, MJ.”

“Barely,” I muttered, shaking my head.

Despite my swirling feelings about Logan, we fell into an easy rhythm, their voices filling the quiet corners of my mind. They debated pies, shared a few football and rugby stories, and even teased me about my sour mood. I let their laughter wash over me, the heaviness in my chest easing—just a little.

Arthur was smart, and he wasn’t about to let me off the hook. His gaze narrowed as he leaned back in his chair, a muffin balanced in his hand. “You’re quieter than usual. What’s got you stewing, MJ? Never seen a good stew that didn’t need stirring.”

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the thermos. “It’s nothing,” I said quickly, but the words sounded hollow even to me.

Red snorted. “Girl, you’re a terrible liar. Spill it.”

My gaze drifted to the shelf in the corner of the room, where an old football sat next to a box filled with knickknacks. The sight of it brought back a memory I’d been trying to bury—the box I’d handed over to my father’s family, filled with ashes and expectations I hadn’t been able to name.

“I met my dad’s other family. I thought I’d feel relief after meeting them,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. The admission slipped out before I could stop it. “But I just felt... hollow. Like the man they described wasn’t the same one I grew up with.”

Arthur set his coffee down, the mug clinking softly against the table. “Let me guess—they painted a picture that didn’t match the one you lived with every day.”

I nodded, my throat tightening. “They said he was loving, patient. Warm. Like we’re talking about two completely different people.”

Red leaned forward, his weathered hand resting over mine. “People can be many things, MJ. Sometimes the good parts only come out for certain people, and the bad parts ...” He trailed off, shaking his head. “Well, the bad parts can cast a hell of a shadow.”

Red knew. He had known my father for a long time, and Red’s late wife, June, was a catalyst in revealing the truth about what he’d done.

Arthur nodded in agreement. “Doesn’t mean their experience wasn’t real. And it doesn’t mean yours wasn’t either.”

I swallowed hard, my chest pinching with the weight of their words. “I guess I thought meeting them would ... fix something. But it didn’t. It just made me realize how much I don’t want to carry him with me anymore. I gave them his ashes, thinking that would be enough, but...” I exhaled sharply, my voice trembling. “I don’t know how to let the rest go.”

Red’s grip on my hand tightened gently, grounding me. “You let it go by living your life, girl. By loving the people who matter and not letting the ghosts of the past tell you what you’re worth.”

Arthur added with a soft chuckle, “And by realizing that letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. It means making space for better things.”

I blinked back tears, the ache in my chest loosening, if only slightly. Their words were like sunlight breaking through a storm. I wasn’t sure I had all the answers, but maybe I didn’t need them. Maybe letting go wasn’t about fixing the past, but about making peace with it.

Arthur sighed. “I just hope my grandson is smarter than he looks.” He looked at his friend and shook his head. “I don’t know how you survived all your kids getting wound up by love. It’s hell on the old heart.” He tapped his chest, and I couldn’t help but smile.

Red’s brow furrowed, his eyes growing glassy with uncertainty. “Did something happen?”

A sheepish smile spread across my face. “I’ve sort of been seeing Arthur’s grandson.” I swallowed hard. “He’s actually gotten called back up to the Sevens, so now ...”

Arthur’s sharp gaze softened, his head tilting slightly. “Love’s tricky. It’ll knock you down and leave you wondering if you can get back up. But when it’s the real thing, it’s worth every bruise. Give the boy a chance to speak his heart. He may surprise you.”

Red leaned forward, his hand patting my knee. “Don’t be afraid to fight for what you want, young lady. Even if it means getting a little dirt under your nails.”

I swallowed hard, their words wrapping around my heart.

“I don’t even know if he feels the same,” I admitted quietly. “What if I’m fighting for something that’s already gone?”

“Did he tell you he was leaving?” Arthur asked, his brows lifting with a mischievous glint in his eye.

My brows tipped down. “Well...no. I didn’t exactly give him the chance to say it.” I huffed. “But come on. Why wouldn’t he go? It’s the opportunity he’s been waiting for.”

Red shook his head, his voice steady. “The best things in life are messy, MJ. You just have to figure out if they’re worth the cleanup.”

Arthur’s laugh rumbled low and warm. “And if they’re not, there’s always pie.”

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