44. Hudson

44

HUDSON

“ H ow was your time with Ember’s family?” Coach asks, as we retreat to the locker room from the field.

“I gotta be honest. They are total shit people, Coach. I’m shocked that someone as amazing as Ember could come from the family that I visited this weekend,” I tell Coach as I remove my hat and run my fingers through my hair.

As of yesterday, her brothers still haven’t reached out, and neither have her so-called friends. The rage I feel about how all of that went down has been weighing on me since the moment we left.

I didn’t do enough damage to Robert Riley when I had the chance. A fleeting thought that I haven’t been able to get over, causing moments of regret. Although I know there is nothing I can do physically to hurt him enough to do the sort of destruction I dream about.

So, instead, I have Seamus digging into him. Because what are best friends with Top Secret security clearance for?

“Well, if it’s any consolation, I hope she’s found a family in us. We sure have found one in you guys.” My eyebrows hit my hairline as my neck jerks back with the sincerity behind his comment.

“She has, sir. We both have.” A lie and a truth. I have. I have found a home in her and with my team. I can’t, with certainty, say she feels the same. My chest tightens at the thought.

If I’ve learned anything about her, it’s that she strives for something I don’t know that I can ever give her. She’s been dying to prove herself to her parents for so many years. After last weekend, I can only imagine now she feels like she has completely lost her identity. Knowing she doesn’t have to impress anyone but herself. She finally has full control of her life and doesn’t need to let anyone’s approval allow her to make her decisions.

But she’s never had that kind of freedom, and who knows how she’ll respond to it.

“It’s not official yet, so I shouldn’t say anything…” Coach’s statement rips me away from my thoughts. He looks to the left and right to check our surroundings.

My breath stalls as I wait for him to continue. His hands are on his hips, which leaves me with no clue, since that’s his semi-permanent stance whenever he shares any kind of news. In fact, if they build a monument for him, it would be this exact stance.

“Sir?” I encourage him to say freaking something.

“We’re working up a contract for you, Byrnes. I’m telling you now because I don’t want you to get any ideas about talking to other teams. Technically, you’re free to go anywhere when the season is over, but we want you to stay with us.” I’m taken aback.

I force out a breath, and I stifle a smile. I wasn’t expecting that at all.

“Wow, Coach. Thank you,” spills out from me, and I have to urge to hug him, but he’s the furthest thing from a hugger .

“I’m pushing for a five-year contract. We probably have to build in a trade option after three, but that’s my goal.”

I nod, smiling, but my smile drops instantly when he mentions the next topic.

“About your brother?—”

My gaze snaps to him. Jesus, don’t say it. If they are signing him, too, that would potentially be five long, dreadful years with my jackass brother. Him taunting me, making my life miserable. I swear he thrives on it.

“We are considering offering him a contract. He’s expensive, but we’re losing Callahan next year and he’s exactly what we need. I have to know if that can work. Having the Byrnes brothers back together could make us unstoppable. Whatever troubled history you guys have, you gotta squash it, son.” He places his hand on my shoulder. His brows are pinched together, like it hurts him to ask. Because he knows. He might not know all the details of everything that happened, but he knows I would have to climb Mount Everest to get over the trauma he’s caused me in the past.

“I told you before that wild pitch could have been an accident, and I think it was. But he ruined my career and had no remorse whatsoever. He stole my fiancé, then left her after a couple months. He’s just not a good man. I have no idea how long it’ll take me to forgive him.”

I place my hands on my hips, mocking his stance, because I don’t know what else to do with them. Looking down, I gently kick nothing on the floor.

I chipmunk my cheeks and exhale.

“You gave me an opportunity, and I’m grateful for that. I don’t want to go anywhere else.” Especially knowing that Ember is here, and she’s making a name for herself at Ford. “I’ll stay with you… with or without my brother.” I hate saying it. I fucking hate it.

He grants me a look of sympathy, but he’s proud, too. He stays silent, only granting me a stiff nod before pressing his lips in a tight line, then slaps my shoulder and heads down the hall to his office.

I can do this. I just have to find it in my heart to resolve the past with my brother. Maybe Ember is right, maybe he’s been trying so hard these past few months to rekindle our relationship and make up for his mistakes.

She said, “ Forgiveness does not change the past, but it can enhance your future.”

Maybe there is some truth to that. I hope so.