Page 89 of Hello Quarterback

I swiped it, answering, and said, “Hey, Dad.”

“I just wanted to see how you were doing, son.” I could hear the wind in the background, like he was outside working and had thought of me.

“It was a rough night,” I confessed, my voice breaking. I sat down on my bed, feeling useless and weak. “Krew and Milo brought me home.”

“I’m glad,” Dad said. “Have you heard from Mia?”

Just her name wrenched my heart. “No. I haven’t.”

“Have you reached out to her?”

He knew me too well. I rubbed my brow with my thumb and pointer finger. “No.”

In the background, I heard a cowmoo. The sound made me wonder what life would be like if I had stayed on the farm, worked the land, been a helper to Dad. It would have been a nice life. But deep down, I knew it wouldn't feel like enough. Maybe that was the cross I would have to bear in my life—always coming up short. In football, in romance.

Shaking my head, I remembered what my dad had said. Madigans didn’t act like this.

“Everything good with you?” I asked him.

He heaved a long breath. “You know, when you have kids, it feels like a piece of your heart goes where they do. Grandkids too. And right now, a piece of my heart is hurting. So am I good? Not one hundred percent. But I’m here for you, kid, and I know it will get better.”

My lips twitched up. “I’m not sure how.”

“You know, son, you have an entire charity that works to get people mental health support. Maybe it’s time you took your own advice.”

I closed my eyes, hanging my head. Dad was right. My thoughts were a jumble, and I knew I had no chance at figuring out this tangle on my own. Of becoming the man Mia deserved without a little help.

50

MIA

“And that iswhy I believe acquiring Andersen Avenue is not only a smart financial decision but one that will improve public perception of Griffen Industries for years to come,” I finished, changing to the next slide. “Any questions?”

The table lined with men and women in suits looked back at me, soaking in the information. Gage sat at one corner, and I could see it in his eyes—he was proud of me. But Thomas? He lookedpissed.

He’d presented a run-of-the-mill e-commerce business with decent returns and no soul.

Me? I’dkilledthat presentation, even with little warning on the time change and no sleep the night before. All I needed was the chance to bring it home with some solid questions and answers.

Tallie raised her hand first, asking the question we’d prepared as soon as she got to the office. “Have you considered the additional PR resources that will be required to receive the goodwill you’re hoping this will bring?”

I nodded. “First off, I’d like to say, it’s not ahopeof gaining goodwill. Texans have a strong history of looking out for each other, and by partnering with a philanthropic business likeAndersen Avenue, we will be signaling with concrete action that we are an organization committed to those values. Secondly, you’ll find the cost for additional PR and marketing staff has been included in the budget presented on page seventeen of your handouts.”

Several papers rustled, and Tallie gave me a subtle smile.

Shantel, our head of HR, asked the next question. “What training will be required of the Andersen Avenue team on Griffen Industries’ corporate culture?”

“Great question,” I said. “During the transition, there will be an orientation process just like with other businesses we have acquired in the past.”

Then Thomas spoke up. “And you will be overseeing this transition?”

“Of course,” I replied, straightening my shoulders like I was a soldier going into battle. It was an odd question, but if I knew him, he had an angle in asking it.

“Are you sure you have the capacity to take on such a large venture, especially with such a high-profile relationship that has you traveling the country for... games?”

The room fell silent. It was a slight, and everyone knew it.

But it was also a gift. Without realizing it, Thomas had given me my chance to address everyone’s unspoken doubts without looking desperate or pleading.

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