Page 63 of Breakaway
“Okay.” Sam’s gruff expression never wavered.
This was harder than Travis had thought it would be, and Sam wasn’t going to give him any slack. “And I want you to know how much I care about your niece. I know I have some groveling to do with her yet, and I have been trying. She isn’t making that easy, of course.”
“That’s my girl!” Sam cheered for a moment.
“I need you to know that Morgan has my heart.” Ugh that was a hard thing to say to another guy, much less Sam, and particularly while Sam was staring at him with the death stare. “I never knew I could feel the way I do about her.”
“You hurt my niece, rookie.” Sam growled.
“I know. And I know my word means nothing to you, but I didn’t do what the pictures make it look like I did.”
“Excuse me if I don’t take your word for it. I saw the social media posts.” Sam grimaced. “She’s my niece, and I’m tired of seeing her get her heart broken.”
“I know. I don’t know what I can do to make you trust me?”
Sam ignored his question. “If you weren’t partying with the team like the posts show, then what exactly were you doing?”
“Morris, you’ve been in my shoes. If you’re not with the guys, then you’re against them. Showing up to outings is just a way to show team spirit.” He leaned forward, wanting to make sure Sam understood. “The Falcons aren’t like the Renegades. I’m not the only guy on the team who doesn’t party hard and doesn’t try to hook up with every girl there, but we’re in the minority. There are always photos being taken and posted on social media, and the only solution is to not be there in the first place. But if you don’t at least go to occasional social outings with the guys?”
“You’re branded as too good for them,” Sam finished his thought.
“Right. I learned that early on. Being raised by my grandmother, well, she had a very strict set of rules that were to be followed, and I do believe that I am a better person for it. She truly made me the man that I am. But when you’re the only kid going directly home from practice to do chores instead of hanging out with your teammates, it doesn’t make you very popular.”
“I get it.” Sam nodded. “Have you told Morgan any of this?”
“I’ve tried.”
“Well, the way she sees it, she has no reason to make any of this easy on you. The photos made you look like every other young player, out to get laid and get drunk, not necessarily in that order.” Sam sat back and was silent for a very long moment. Finally, he sighed. “Look, I understand how easy it is for a young guy to get wrapped up in the party scene. But it took guts to come and explain yourself to me, and for what it’s worth, I think I believe you. She, on the other hand, may not. Tell me what you learned when you were up here.”
“I learned a lot, actually. I really liked that the young guys on the Renegades didn’t put much stock into partying. They were all about the game and improving their skills. It wasn’t about how many beers you could shotgun or how many girls you had on your arm; it was about your gym routine and how you performed at practice. I crave that kind of structure, and this is everything I wanted.”
“Yeah, well this team is also a family. None of the guys are going to easily take you back after hurting Morgan.”
Travis sat up straighter and pushed his chest out confidently. “And I wouldn’t expect them to, if I had done what Morgan thinks I did. I still need to talk to her and explain my side of things.” He shook his head. “But if I have to make it up to them as well, to prove to everyone what kind of man I am, then I will.”
“So you’d do the extra laps, and collect the pucks, and do whatever other crappy job they find suitable for you?” Sam grinned sadistically.
Travis couldn’t tell whether Sam was serious or not, so he nodded matter-of-factly. “I’ll take whatever bumps come my way. I want to be a Renegade, and I want to prove to Morgan how sorry I am. And that she is the only one for me.”
He held his breath, because that last sentence could get him a punch in the gut from Sam. But it had to be said.
“I knew from the moment that I met her that she was special,” he continued. “And I fell for her, right then and there.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “You fell for her?”
“Sam, I love her.”
Morris coiled back like he had been hit in the face. Blinking a few times, he asked, “Have you told her this?”
“Not in so many words. But that’s what I’m here to do. As long as it is okay with you.” It was strange asking for Sam’s approval. It wasn’t like he was a teenager asking if he could take Morgan to homecoming. And he wasn’t asking for her hand in marriage?yet. But it felt right to lay it all out to Sam. “I got the call yesterday. They want me here in Pittsburgh. Still in a hotel, but I have a good feeling about this time around.”
Sam narrowed his eyes at the news. “What exactly are your intentions with my niece?”
“I love her. I would like us to continue to get to know one another. I can’t see into the future, but I don’t plan on going anywhere. I want to put down roots as a Renegade and would like to make this my home. And I’ll work my ass off to accomplish that. And I’d like Morgan to be a part of my life, a big part.”
Sam remained stern. “You’re sure you’re ready for that commitment? Being with her means no puck bunnies.”
Travis scoffed with a smile. “That life isn’t for me; it never was. I have no use for puck bunnies or groupies.” He grinned now. “Like I said, I knew Morgan was it for me the moment we met.”