Page 131 of Spotlight
He chuckles. “It doesn’t matter what I would do, or anyone else. What do you want?”
“I’ve dreamt of New York all my life, but I don’t hate playing with the Mustangs like I thought I would. They’re a good group of guys.”
Knox nods. “That counts for something.”
“And I have enjoyed seeing you guys more.”
“The group chat is less annoying when we don’t have to track you down.” His mouth pulls into a smirk.
“You know, I spent a lot of my life thinking I needed to get out on my own and prove I could take care of myself. I always had you four looking out for me. I was grateful, don’t get me wrong, but I also just wanted to know that I could stand on my own.”
“You stood on your own a long time. We may have been looking out for you, but you didn’t really need it. You’ve always been a good kid.”
“Kid,” I grumble with a small laugh.
“Good man,” he amends.
“I am the man I am because of all of you. Good or bad. You’re with me everywhere. That won’t change in New York.”
“I know. And whatever decision you make, I’m behind you. So are they.” A look that I can only describe as pride is etched into his features. That’s one thing I’ve never second-guessed. I know without a doubt that Knox has my back. Always. It’s why I’ve always been free to chase my dreams.
I take a drink of my beer. “I’m going to go to New York. This is my chance. And I promise I’ll visit and check in more on the group chat. Brogan is fucking chatty though.”
“You’re not wrong about that.” Knox tries a small smile. I can’t tell if he thinks it’s the right decision or not, but I know what he said is true—they’ll all support me no matter what.
“I should get going. I want to spend as much time with Olivia as I can before I leave.” I need to see her, need to make plans, need to figure out how to hang on to her amidst all this. And I need to figure out how to tell Greer. My stomach is in knots thinking about how hard that is going to be. “Any tips on how to tell a six-year-old that you’re following your dream across the country?”
I think of Dad popping in and out and how many times Knox had to break it to me that he was gone.
“You’re not Dad,” he says as if reading my thoughts. “Be honest and don’t promise anything you aren’t prepared to follow through on.”
Sounds easy enough, but it’s going to break my heart to leave her. I blow out a breath and stand. “See you at the game tomorrow?”
“Yep. I wouldn’t miss it.”
I punch him on the shoulder and start to go, then pause and turn back.
“Hey, Knox.”
“Yeah?” He turns to face me, brows lifted.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Keeping us all together, raising me, protecting me as best you could, putting your dreams on hold…pick your poison.”
He stands, giving me a look of bewilderment. “It wasn’t poison. I love you. You’re my baby bro. I’d do anything for you. Even visit you in New York if I have to.”
“It wasn’t anything. It was everything.”
He grabs me by the neck and then ruffles my hair. Neither of us says anything, but my throat is tight as he pulls me into a hug.
“Go see your girls. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
* * *
As soon as I walk in the door at Olivia’s apartment, Greer races up to me. There’s nothing else quite like the excitement and adoration in her face when she sees me. So pure and uninhibited.
