“Have you discussed this with Caroline?” There’s a pleading edge to his voice as I watch his eyes grow wide with hope.
“There’s nothing to discuss. If I was on the fence, I’d talk to Charlie. My mind is made up, Aiden. You either support me as my agent—more importantly, as my best friend—or I go to the meeting alone. Your choice.” I check my watch that matches Charlie’s. “I’m leaving in five.”
His body deflates as all the fight leaves him. Aiden has known me long enough to know that when I’m like this, there’s no reasoning with me. It’s part of the reason that I’ve been so successful in my career. I don’t doubt myself—well, at least not professionally.
“You realize that no one has ever done this before. Healthy players don’t walk away from the game. I mean, sure, you have the leg injury, but it’s not keeping you from playing ball.” Aiden rubs his hands on his khaki slacks while his face twists in angst. “Look, man, no one is going to understand this decision. Players play until they can’t any longer. No one just walks away at the top of his or her career. Are you hearing me?”
“Add what the rest of the world does to my ‘I don’t give a fuck’ list.” My lips curl up in a smirk. “Decision. Is. Final.”
“Can you at least explain why?” Aiden asks finally sounding resolved in my decision. He flops back dramatically in the chair across from my desk.
I settle back in my plush leather chair getting comfortable. He wants a reason? I’ll give him a reason. “On my wedding night, my wife told me a story, and I’m going to share it with you.” I don’t bother letting him respond before I continue. “Prince Edward was heir to the British throne. He began dating an American woman who was also twice divorced. When his father died, he became the King of England.” I pause and look at Aiden, whose face is clearly reflecting his thoughts. He thinks I’ve lost my mind.
“I’m answering your question, ass wipe. Follow along,” I instruct.
He salutes me, and I continue. “Parliament went ape-shit. The king couldn’t be associating with a commoner and an American. Instead of his reign being marred in controversy, he abdicated the throne to his little brother, choosing the girl over the kingdom. They ran away to France to avoid the hounding press, and lived the rest of their lives together.”
“And,” Aiden says, motioning for me to continue.
“After listening to that story on our wedding night, I told Charlie that I understood why King Edward gave up everything: his birthright. I couldn’t live without her. None of this would mean shit,” I reply, motioning to all my sports memorabilia in my office. “What I’ve come to realize is this. All the gold rings and titles in the world don’t mean anything if I don’t have my wedding ring.” I pick up my hand, pointing to the ring that Charlie made for me after she proposed. “And the title of husband and father are my everything. And for me to keep those I have to bid my mistress farewell.”
“But Charlie’s not going back to Houston. She’s on bed-rest, growing your twin spawn. You can play one more year. Maybe even two or three more. You’re only thirty-four. You could play until you’re forty.” Aiden tries reasoning with me. “She’s now a full-time stay-at-home mom.”
I don’t miss a beat. “That might be true. I might physically keep Charlie in Dallas, but my mistress demands too much of me. I have so many regrets about the first year of Ainsley’s life. I wasn’t there when Charlie went into labor. I didn’t see my daughter crawl or take her first steps. Hell, she called another man Da Da. I’m done beating myself over the things that I wish I’d done and said. These twins will know their father. I won’t miss a second of their lives. Not one single second.”
My best friend stands and I walk around my desk, joining him. He pulls me into tight hug. “Thanks for letting me take this ride with you. Who knew when I punched you in your face in fourth grade that it would lead us to this point? I love you.”
I give him much more than a bro-hug back. “You’re the brother that I always wanted.”
It’s just Bertha and I on my drive to meet with the team executives. Aiden insisted on taking his rental car. I’m sure he’s hoping that this alone time will give me some sort of clarity that he thinks I need. I don’t. Since I was around thirteen years’ old and showed a talent for playing football, my life has been owned by others. Sure, my parents were great and supported me by nurturing my talent. I never chose to play ball though. It was just expected of me. God gives you a gift; you use it. Universities started recruiting me heavily during my sophomore year in high school. Not once did anyone ask me if I wanted to play college football. Once again, it was expected that of course, I would take the scholarship to Texas A&M.