Page 20 of Undeniable
I faltered where I stood, shock vibrating through me. “You said you didn’t know who he was.”
“In part that’s true. I only knew his first name when we slept together. After I found out I was pregnant, I couldn’t find him. Then life got in the way. I had you girls to support.”
“Did you tell him about Kaylee?” I asked.
“I did. His name is Nick Grafton, and he wants a DNA test done. I don’t blame him either.” She continued to shed tears. “Anyway, he’s in the military and had to deploy overseas. He should be back for the holidays.”
I was stoked that we were uncovering who Kaylee’s father could be, but until the DNA results were in, I didn’t want to get Kaylee’s hopes up or even mine.
“I’m sorry for being a poor mother, Mazzie,” she cried. “I really am. I want to do better.”
I squeezed her hand. “I believe you, Mom. But you need to shape up. You have two daughters who need you. And I’m tired of trying to be a parent to you and Kaylee.”
Her body shook as she sobbed. “I know, honey. I’ve leaned on you too much. You shouldn’t have to carry that.” She took a shaky breath. “I’m scared. I really am.”
I was too. Of what came next. Of losing Kaylee. Of failing her. And no one, not even Lucas, could save me from that.
7
Lucas
Sweat poured down my entire body as I ran cone drills, my cleats cutting across the turf like I could outrun the crap in my head. We didn’t waste stadium turf on practice. Coach Chapman wanted that pristine for game day. Out here, there was nowhere to hide. Just a wide-open field, burning sun, and drills that felt like they would never end. My old man’s release from prison had wrecked my focus for sure. But now? I couldn’t shake Mazzie from my brain. Erik had found out that her mom and sister were fine, but that the mom could be in deep trouble. He didn’t know much more than that.
“Lucas!” Coach Chapman shouted. “Get your ass over here.”
Mumbling swear words, I tore off my helmet and jogged over to Coach on the sidelines. I’d been playing like crap this season, and if I didn’t shape up, Coach would bench me.
He removed his hat, wiped the sweat from his brow, and gave me that usual pissed-off practice face. “You’ve lost your mojo. Do you want to get benched?”
I swallowed down the panic. “No, sir.” I could give him every excuse in the book, but when we were on the field, nothing mattered but football. “Please, Coach,” I begged, “I’ll do better.” I needed football. This game was my future.
He stuck his hands on his hips. “I know you’re worried about your father, but he doesn’t belong on the field. You have two days to shape up. Are we clear?”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me just yet,” he said. “Get your head out of your ass.” Then he blew his whistle. “That’s it for today!” he shouted to the team then stalked off and met the assistant coaches who were packing up the equipment.
I set my helmet on the bench as Ryker came over, wiping sweat from his face. “I’m going to run some laps. Want to join me?”
Ryker’s routine was always running laps after practice. The man was a machine when it came to staying in shape, especially for game day.
I shrugged but nodded. I was ready to stand beneath a shower of cold water. But I could use his advice.
“What did Coach have to say?” Ryker asked as we started around the field along the narrow track.
“He might bench me.” I gritted my teeth at the thought that I might not play. “I’m sorry that I’m playing like crap.”
“Don’t apologize to me,” he said, not even huffing and puffing. “Do something about it, man. Look, you know better than anyone I had a hard time after the funeral. But what got me out of my funk was football. The field was the only place I was happy. My problems didn’t exist when the ball was in my hands.”
My feet pounded hard on the track. “But you’re good at compartmentalizing things.”
He pulled me over to the side. “All of us have problems. I know your father’s release is messing with you. You’re scared for your mom. I get it. But she needs to see you succeeding. So channel that fear into fuel. Hit harder, run faster, play like her well-being depends on your success on the field. Because in the end you want to see her happy. You want to be able to financially help her, right?”
I was nodding as he was talking.
Over the years, Ryker and I had discussed all the things we would do if our dreams of playing in the NFL came true, and one of my top priorities was to help my mom live comfortably. Hell, he’d turned down a free ride to a California powerhouse at a Division 1 school so he could stay close to family and me. Everyone knew he would make it to the pros, no matter the jersey. Me? I had to fight twice as hard to prove I belonged. Winning last season’s bowl game finally gave me that chance.
As we stood eye to eye, he ran his fingers through his black sweaty hair. “Don’t allow your father to have power over you. And I’ll be straight with you. Your weakness in the last game and even in practice is you’re slow on the snap.” He gripped my shoulder. “I need you to be quicker. I need the old hellion back if we’re going to win games.”
