Chapter 43

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Drake

It only takes one phone call for everything to change.

My father .

I was sitting beside Mom and my sister Anna when the police department called with the news of Dad's crash. The guilt washed over me instantly, a heavy weight settling in my chest. But there was no time to feel sorry for myself. I had to console Mom, who crumbled beside me, and take care of Anna until Mia arrived.

My sister.

I had just finished baseball practice when I got the call from Mia. Her voice was frantic, telling me that Anna had taken a turn for the worse. I drove like a madman, but I was five minutes too late. She passed away before I could say goodbye.

My mom.

Well, it's easy to guess how that went, considering it was early morning, and I was passed out drunk on Roy's floor. The shame was a constant companion, reminding me of my failures.

One phone call changes lives.

This is another one.

I took a deep breath, feeling the air tremble in my lungs, and steeled myself for what he was about to say. My hand felt heavy as I lifted the phone to my ear and answered.

"Who's your favorite person?" My agent's voice rings through the phone, far too cheerful for the moment.

My gut churns at his near giddiness. Lila stiffens beside me, her body tense with apprehension. Even though I'm not the best at reading body language, it's clear as day—she's nervous. And I'd bet my last dollar she knows what I suspect—he came through with the deal.

"Yeah? Dare I ask the terms?" I run a hand along my face, my palm slick with sweat, but my gaze never strays from Lila's.

"One hundred and thirty million for ten years. You're locked onto the West Coast, baby. You can thank me later. I accept kisses and a blowjob as rewards."

Lila stands there shell-shocked, her bright blue eyes widening. For a moment, she seems lost for words. Then she blinks and steps back, her breath hitching as if trying to make sense of the news.

My grip tightens around the phone, barely able to believe what I've just heard. A ten-year contract? With the Dodgers? A hundred and thirty million? It's everything I ever wanted, everything I fought for, but it feels like a punch to the gut. Because getting what you wish for also means losing something else.

"That's a lot of bank." My jaw clenches, and the room suddenly feels stifling, the air thick and heavy.

"You're damn right it is. They want to be contenders for the next decade. Want me to wait a day or call them back now?"

I hesitate, memories flooding back. When I was younger, I always dreamed of playing for the Boston team. Lila and I had talked about moving here and starting a family. But everything changed after we broke up. My dreams shifted toward the West Coast, where my sister lives.

But is that still my goal?

The answer is obvious now—no. I want to stay in Boston with Lila and Jake.

Her chin juts upward as if trying to appear strong. I'm taken back to the forest when we were kids. She was fucking beautiful back then and has only grown more so. My tiger cub. Always strong.

What should I do?

Is securing our financial future and riding out the ten years worth it? I fell back in love with her. It's so easy to do. I want this. But am I willing to hold off on having kids so that I can watch them grow? Am I willing to miss Jake's life for financial security?

A pang of reality hits my chest and almost knocks me to the floor. This situation parallels my father's. Of course, the payout is drastically different, but I know his chosen path.

One hundred and thirty million is a lot of reasons to say yes. But as I stare into those aquamarine eyes that held me captive the first time she gave me hell, I realize no amount of money is worth leaving her for.

We don't need an excessive number of possessions. I just need Lila and that little boy in the next room.

"You're making me nervous here." My agent's voice cuts through my thoughts, anchoring me to the present. "I can call them back now and confirm."

Staring at Lila, I slowly shake my head. "No. See what Boston can do."

I don't hear the curse words flying from my agent's mouth. I only hear the surprised gasp from the only person in the room who matters.

"You can't be fucking serious. That's our balls on the line," he seethes.

"I don't care. I want to stay in Boston." The moment the words leave my mouth, a huge relief lifts from my shoulders. I know this is the right path. I don't need a vast payout to feel complete. I just need to be there for my family. They complete me and make my life whole, not some hefty bank account.

"If you don't take this offer, you can find new representation."

"We're under contract, asshole. And don't threaten me. You wouldn't like the fallout."

"You're fucking serious. You're turning down one hundred and thirty mil?"

"Yeah." I erase the distance between us and gently wipe the tears streaming down her face. "Make it happen."

I'm not fucking up for once.

"Don't you want to take some time to think this over? I worked my ass off to get you top money."

"Nope, my mind is made up. Accept whatever the Bears offer."

"But … but…" he sputters, "Gunner, this is the deal players dream about! This is the opportunity of a lifetime! It's too much money to leave on the table."

"Money means shit if I can't be with the ones I love," I say, still holding Lila's gaze. Her eyes are glassy, and I can see her struggling to control her emotions. "I've got everything I need right here."

"So this is your dick talking?"

You best believe it.

"Watch it. I'm more attached to him than you."

By the string of expletives that follow, I don't think he liked my joke.

"You're making a mistake."

"It's mine to make."

There is a long silence from the other end of the line and then a deep sigh. "Fine," he grumbles at last. "I'll call Boston tomorrow."

He hangs up abruptly, still seething, but I don't care. I toss the phone aside and wrap my arms around her.

"But … Drake…" she stammers, her voice shaky. "That's so much money. You can't just … can't just turn that down. Not for me."

She sounds uncertain, conflicted. But beneath that, there is a glimmer of hope in her eyes—hope that I choose them over the money.

"I can," I say simply. "And I did."

She blinks up at me, seemingly at a loss for words. Slowly, a soft smile tugs at the corners of her lips. "Are you sure?"

I nod. "I've never been more certain about anything in my life."

"You're staying," she says, more as a statement than a question.

"I'm staying," I draw her closer to me. Her hands come up to twine around my neck. This right here is all I need. I lean down and capture her lips with mine. It's a kiss filled with promises. A promise of a future together, a promise to never leave her side, and above all else, the promise that she is infinitely more important to me than any career or money.

We break apart, but I don't let her go. "You're my home, Lila. You and Jake."

Tears well up in those bright blue orbs again and spill over, but this time, they are accompanied by laughter. She throws her head back and lets out a small laugh that echoes through the room. It's like music to my ears.

"Drake," she whispers as if she's still trying to make sense of it all. "You really mean it."

"Yes," I tell her honestly, entwining our fingers together. "I want a life with you and Jake."

I can see the moment she realizes I'm serious. The walls surrounding her heart crumble swiftly, and I'm greeted with a sight that leaves me breathless.

In all her radiance, Lila smiles at me with tears streaming down her face.

"I love you," she admits softly as if it's a secret just meant for us. "I never stopped loving you."

My heart swells at her words. I pull her closer to me, and she melts against my chest. I bury my head against hers and whisper, "Marry me."