Chapter Twenty-Eight

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Renn

I reread her text.

Blakely: I’m confused and scared. That’s honesty. My hand hurts. My pride is bruised, too. I’m sorry for whatever happened after I left. I know I’m not responsible, but my heart hurts for you, anyway. Maybe I am responsible for leaving. I’m just trying to do the right thing. We haven’t been alone since we got married. Maybe we should think about this. In the words of the great Ella St. James, there’s a difference between a fling, feelings, and forever. I’m just not sure where we fall. Good night, Renn. Xo

I’ve read it so many times that I can recite it from memory. I’m confused and scared . I close my eyes. Me too .

“Here you go,” Gannon says, shoving a cup of coffee before me. “You look like you need it.”

“Thanks.”

I sit up and breathe in the aroma as Mom and Bianca enter. They settle around my dining room table.

We’re somber. I don’t think we slept much—all for individual reasons. Bianca stayed with Mom. Gannon went to the office at Mom’s bequest. I was up all night worrying about Blakely.

I called her twice this morning, forgetting the time difference. She didn’t answer anyway.

“Where are Tate and Ripley?” Bianca asks.

“They flew to Miami this morning. Tate has a meeting this afternoon, and Ripley tagged along. They should be back tonight,” Jason says.

Our sister nods.

Mom slips on her glasses. They do nothing to hide the circles under her eyes. She picks up a legal pad. “Okay, let’s get to it. I have a locksmith headed to my house this morning, as well as the security company. All keys and codes will be changed by lunchtime.”

“Good,” Gannon says.

“I have a meeting with my attorneys at noon,” she says. “Your father will try to maintain some stake in this company, but I assure you, he has no leg to stand on. Gannon, would you be able to attend with me? And do you have the financial reports from the last quarter?”

“I can, and I do.”

“Excellent.” Mom turns the page. “Bianca, you’re the interim president. Everyone will report to you. That’s a lot, I know, and I’ll get you help. You won’t have you as backup.”

She smiles. “Take a look at Daniel Blue. He might be a good candidate.”

“I’ll note that.” Mom scribbles on the page in front of her. “Jason, is there anything outstanding with Brewer Air? How are things on that front?”

“We’re fine. Dad had little involvement with our operation. We’re good to go.”

“Love that for us,” Mom says. “What am I missing?”

Gannon leans back in his seat. “We bought the Arrows yesterday.”

“Shit.” Mom takes off her glasses and pinches her nose. “Who is the lead on that?”

“Dad had Bobby Downing working on it with him. Let me see what I can dig up today,” Gannon says.

“We aren’t keeping Downing around,” Mom says. “Let’s meet about this first thing in the morning. That’ll give you time to get the paperwork over to me, Gannon.”

“Sounds good.”

Mom looks at me and smiles. “Do you want to manage a baseball team, Renn?”

“No, I do not.”

She rolls her eyes. “Fine. Don’t contribute.”

“Look at Mom, turning into a CEO on day one,” I joke.

She laughs, wagging a finger at me.

“What about Lincoln Landry?” Gannon says. “He used to play for them. I have no idea if he’d be interested, but I know his brother Graham. I could give him a call.”

“Call them and see if there’s any interest,” Mom says. “That’s a good start. We need to get a name behind it as soon as possible.”

“I’m just going to cut in here really quick,” I say, sitting up. “I’m retiring today.”

“ What ?” Bianca asks.

My family exchanges a bewildered look. All I can do is shrug.

It was my late-night epiphany— I need to retire . It’s the only solution that makes sense.

I can’t play for the Royals. Not after my last interaction with Galecki. Fuck that guy . And after having a hard conversation with Brock last night about the Royals stance and the events at dinner, he agreed. Fuck. That. Guy.

As I lay in bed and thought about Blakely and our marriage, my job, my dad—and the war that broke out with him—Brock and his health, and his and Ella’s baby … and my future and what it looks like, it all became crystal clear.

The only thing that matters are my relationships with the people I love.

I don’t need my job—not the money, the stress, or the potential to hurt myself. I have no use for my father. I don’t want to be away from Blakely for long periods.

I want to travel with my wife. I want her to be proud of me and feel loved and wanted every minute of her life. Hang out at home and learn to garden. Nurture my relationships with my siblings and support my mother in her badass return to business. She’s gonna kill it . I want to be around to spoil Brock’s kid rotten … and have as many children as Blakely and God will allow us to have.

I want those things so badly that it takes my breath away.

“I’m retiring,” I say again. “I have my team working out the details this morning.”

“Why?” Gannon asks.

“I’m done. That’s really it. I’m done.”

Jason lifts his chin. “How is Blakely? Have you talked to her?”

My spirits sink.

“Actually, no. I haven’t. She flew to Vegas last night. She texted once but that’s all I’ve heard from her.”

“What are you going to do, Renn?” Mom asks.

All eyes are on me.

I get up from the table and grip the back of my chair. “I don’t know, Mom. I don’t want to pressure her or worsen it, but I’m not walking away. It’s not over.”

Bianca smiles. “I didn’t have you pegged to be the romantic, but I’m here for it.”

“Who did you think it was?” Gannon asks.

“Tate.”

“Makes sense,” Gannon says, sighing.

“I love her, guys. Somehow, I must convince her we’re the real deal—the forever kind.”

Bianca makes a face. “Why would she doubt it?”

“Because we were kinda drunk when we accidentally got married.”

“Oh, Renn,” Mom says, groaning.

Gannon chuckles.

“Look, Mother ,” I say, pointing at her. “You could be a doll and say something sweet like it’s kismet. Or that the universe knew what it was doing, forcing us together. You’re not even trying.”

Bianca laughs.

“I’m sorry,” Mom says, holding out a hand. “You’re right. Clearly, this was meant to be.”

“See? That didn’t even hurt, did it?”

Mom shakes her head. “Oh, my child …”

Gannon sits back and crosses his arms over his chest. “I hate that I’m even getting involved in this, but let me get this straight—you want to prove to her that your accidental marriage was real?”

“Or that he wants it to be real,” Bianca counters.

“I want Blakely to know I might’ve married her while inebriated, but I meant my vows. I’d marry her all over again sober. How do I convince her of that?”

Bianca grins. “I have an idea …”