Page 80 of The Comeback

“I would do anything for your daughter, and you already know I can financially support a family.”

“Yes. That’s clearly not going to be a problem. But what if things get tough? Are you going to run away?”

“That’s a fair question.” Thunder rumbles outside the windows. I straighten my shoulders. “I love Charlotte, and if she had gotten pregnant while we were separated, I would’ve accepted the baby as my own because I can’t live without her. She’s my heart and soul.”

He presses his lips and nods. “So far, so good.”

“It’s not a line. I fully intend to marry her and have a big family.”

Charlotte steps into the living room. Her eyebrows arch as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “How big are we talking about?”

One corner of my mouth raises. We haven’t discussed more children, but I’ve always wanted a big family. “Well, I’ll be out of football in five years, so I’ll need something to keep me occupied.” I shrug. “Three? Four?”

“How about five?” She lays her hand on my bicep. “You know I love kids and sports, so maybe a basketball team? You know I love basketball.” She winks. “And a football team is out of the question.”

“Perfect.” I kiss her forehead as her dad cringes and her mom claps her hands.

“Oh, five would be great. We had four, and I wanted one more. Not to mention twins run in the family. Brett, aren’t you excited?”

“Thrilled.” He rolls his eyes and plops down onto the recliner.

The front door snaps open, and Knox barges inside with water dripping down his face and his white T-shirt splotched from the rain. He grins as Saylor shuts the door behind them. “Guess what?”

“What?” Ruth cocks her head like they’re prepping to play their favorite game.

“Do you give up?” His eyes twinkle with excitement.

“Yes, I give up.”

He looks from her to his mother and then to his father. “Does everyone give up?”

“Yes, we all give up,” Coach Tillman sighs.

Ruth clutches her chest and walks over to Saylor. “You’re pregnant?”

“Yes, she is.” Knox braces his hands on his hips like he’s proud of his accomplishment.

“We’re having a baby.” Saylor beams as her face lights up like a Christmas tree.

“That is the best news ever.” Their mom claps her hands and practically bounces up and down before dragging Saylor into her arms. “I’m so happy. Two grandbabies in one day. This is the best day ever.”

“Baby sister?” Knox eyes Charlotte up and down. When she nods, he wraps his arms around her and lifts her feet off the ground. “Congratulations.”

As they chatter about all things baby, I glance back at Coach Tillman. He’s reclining in his chair with a half-smile on his face.

When he catches me looking, he shakes his head, slaps on a frown, and grabs the remote. “Son, come on in, and let’s watch the Chicago game. I noticed something, and I want your opinion.”

“Sure thing, Coach Tillman.” I settle onto the sofa as the 70-inch screen television fills with the game he’d been watching before we arrived.

“Seriously, you’ve got to stop calling me that when we’re at home.” He clicks the play button. “It’s Brett.” One corner of his mouth raises upward. “Or grandpa.”

“Brett.” I nod as I resign myself to the change. The baby won’t want to call his grandpa, Coach Tillman.

“Move over.” Knox flops down beside me and kicks up his feet onto the coffee table. “Welcome to the family. It’s a good thing you live and breathe football because this is what every visit will either begin or end with.”

I glance over at Charlotte. No. I live and breathe her. The love of my life.

Chapter Forty-Four

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