Page 65 of Protecting the Boundary
After my conversation with Meredith, I decide it’s time to finally tell the guys my plans for next season, especially since we’re nearing the end of the season already.
So after practice the next day, when most of the locker room is cleared out, I ask them to hang back for a second.
“What’s up?” Ty asks as he straddles the bench I’m sitting on. Gabe leans against the lockers next to me and Dom stands on the other side of the bench.
“I need to tell you guys something. Something big.”
“Okay, what is it?” Dom asks.
“I’m going to retire at the end of the season. I’ll announce it soon since the Wolves already sent a contract extension to my agent.”
Dom sits on the other bench across from me, his face the picture of shock. “For real?”
I nod.
The guys are somber as they absorb the bomb I just dropped on them. Ty looks between all of us. “So this is it? Our last season as the Fierce Four?”
We all know the name might stick around with whoever takes over my position, but it won’t be the same.
Dom breaks the tension. “I don’t know why we’re getting all mopey about it. It’s not like we won’t still see him all the damn time. Unless you’re trying to break up with us, you’re stuck with us for life, man. Plus, we always need a fourth for our game nights.”
Gabe, Ty, and I smile. Leave it to Dom to lighten the mood and remind us that we’re family. We might not play on the field together after this season, but we’ll always be brothers. We’re family by choice, and nothing will break that bond we created on the field.
“Not to be sappy or anything, but I love you guys,” I say, relief filling me that they’re handling this news so well. Part of me was worried they’d be upset with me, but I should’ve known better.
When I get home, Meredith looks up from where she’s sitting on the floor with Kaylee—an ABC puzzle laid out with all the pieces. She looks at me expectantly.
“How’d it go?”
I smile, a weight off my shoulders. “They took it well.”
Her shoulders sag like her relief matches mine, and my stomach and chest fill with warmth. This woman has become my partner in every way, and I can’t imagine life without her anymore. I should know better than most how quickly life can flip on a dime, but I’d been living in such a dark place for so long that I forgot.
I forgot it was possible to feel this light, this happy.
I forgot what it was like to share the weight of life with someone else.
And it’s made an announcement I was dreading into something easy and freeing. I’m no longer carrying the weight of this secret. The people closest to me all know, and soon my coaches will know too.
It’s time to move into the next phase of my life, and I hope, more than anything, that Meredith will be in that phase with me.
FORTY-TWO
My dad has met every boyfriend I’ve ever had, but I’ve never been more nervous than I am right now. I already have a good idea of how my dad feels about Romel, given what I’ve told him and his caution about our relationship. But this will be his first time meeting Romel and Kaylee.
These two have become my whole world, but I’ll always care about what my dad thinks. He’s been my best friend my whole life. I’m on pins and needles hoping that tonight goes well and the three most important people in my life all like each other.
We pull up to the house, and I wipe my palms on my jeans to try to ease the clammy feeling. Romel covers my hand with one of his, and when I face him, he’s smiling at me.
“It’s going to be fine. Parents love me, and if your dad likes football, I’m a shoo-in.”
I nibble my lip, having my doubts. I glance back at Kaylee in her car seat. “Would you like a boyfriend of Kay’s just because he was a football player?”
His smile drops and his eyes turn stormy. “Kay’s never dating.”
Laughter bubbles out of me. That’s just what I needed him to say to ease some of my nerves. “So now you understand where my dad is coming from.”
His gaze moves from me to the front porch of my dad’s house that we can see through the car window.
