Page 46 of Maximum Dare
“Um…not sure what you mean?”
She whispered, “I feel changed…somehow braver.”
“Braver?”
“Yes, facing off with—” She glanced toward the edge of the roof.
No,it wasn’t the same experience for me. I wasn’t questioning the status of my relationships. I wasn’t questioning my career choice. Or doubting my father’s wishes. Or being the good son. Wasn’t going to see my life going any other way.
This was how it had always been…
Second guessing myself had never been an issue for me. Though with Daisy, that trait felt threatened.
If I stayed and we became more than friends, she became mine, what kind of life would she have? Married to a man like my father, Daisy would be as miserable as my mother had been. At some point, she’d see no reason to stay. The pattern would be repeated. I’d be left as heartbroken and alone as my father had been.
She seemed to sense my reticence. “I’m not going to see you ever again, am I?”
“No, Daisy, I’m afraid not.”
“Max…”
I was already walking away, trying to suppress feelings of regret for leaving her. Whatever this was, staying and marking out a future with her would be as reckless as stepping off that ledge.
I wasn’t that kind of man.
Iwas a third generation Marquis.
Now and again, a talent comes along who astounds a nation. A person who has the potential to excel beyond the ordinary. Nick was that man. Football was in his DNA. His father had him playing as soon as he could walk. Major league coaches had kept him in their sights.
He was not only my brother, he was my hero, too. I loved this sport as only a Brazilian could—it ran through my blood.
During my visits, there was nothing I liked better than sitting in the stadium seats and watching Nick train.
Leaning forward with my elbows on my knees, I was riveted by his ability to run in different directions with the ball in full control. His balance and coordination were enviable. This would always be the highlight of our time together…the hours dissolving as we talked football, forgetting all too easily everything else in life.
After practice, Nick joined me up in the first row. We sat side by side watching a little league team playing on the field while we spent quality time together. The referee shouted instructions to the young players and they fell into line.
Ten minutes ago, Nick had been surrounded by those kids while he signed autographs. To them, he’d already made it. He was a poster on their walls and a player they could aspire to be like. The fact he was watching them play would leave an indelible mark. This side of Nick made up for his foibles.
“Manchester United will be lucky to have you,” I told him. “You’re not only a good player, you’ll be kind to your fans.”
Nick wiped sweat from his brow with a towel. “I just need to focus on the game.”
I gave him a nudge. “You remind me of your dad.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “I wish.”
“You focus on what’s important.”
He sat up. “You always didseeme.”
“I’m your brother.”
“You know what Dad was like. The bar was set so fucking high.”
“That’s what made him an icon.” I shook my head. “But don’t let all of that go to your head.”
“Like he did?”
