Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Me: 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 drop the phone and fall back asleep.
CHAPTER 28
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.