Page 104 of A Little Secret
My chin dips in a grudging nod.
“When did you talk with them?” he prods.
“I met with them for lunch before the Bulldogs’ game. They wanted to meet before then, but I was…unavailable.”
“Unavailable?”
“I was on a road trip with Fin,” I clarify.
“Finley, huh?” A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Should’ve known that hellraiser would be involved if it meant skipping something important. That girl’s giving Mack and Kate a run for their money.”
He has no idea.
“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “Guess you could say that. But about the contract…”
“It’s quite the opportunity.” He pauses, considering the Tornadoes’ proposition. “Risky, though. You do have leverage on your side.” He shifts from Uncle Henry to theinfamous business shark, Henry Buchanan, in the blink of an eye. “Have you negotiated a bonus at least?”
“There’s no need. I turned them down.”
His eyes widen. “And why would you do that?”
“Because I’m needed here.”
“Which is why you want me to extend you an offer to play for the Lions,” he concludes.
“Yes.” I clear my throat. Again. “And I know Everett makes a good case with his personal situation, and I know family’s important. Family’s everything,” I clarify. “But Finley’s circumstances are a little more precarious than Raine’s family and her internship at her dad’s tattoo shop.”
Concern flashes across his features, and his head tilts. “What’s wrong with Finley?”
Fuck. I didn’t want to play this card. Didn’t mean to. It just slipped but…fuck. I don’t want to betray Finley’s trust. But I don’t have the month Finley requested until we tell the family about the baby. Things are moving too fast. And if I want my career without sacrificing my relationship with Fin, then I need to make my move. Now.
“What’s wrong with Finley, Griffin?” my uncle demands.
“She’s uh…” I tug at the knot at my throat and rest my forearms against my knees. “You need to give me your word that this stays between us.”
His eyes narrow. “I’m not sure I can until you tell me what this is about.”
“Uncle Henry,” I push.
His sigh is forced, and so are his next words. “Is it life-threatening?”
I hesitate. “Not at the moment, no.”
“Not exactly painting me a pretty picture, Griff.”
“I need your word,” I repeat, well aware I’m pushing myluck but too stubborn to give a shit. Not now. Not when Finley’s trust in me is on the line.
Scratching his jaw, he finally murmurs, “Fine.”
“She’s, uh, she’s pregnant.”
If I wasn’t raised with Uncle Henry, I would think he’s unaffected by my declaration. But Iwasraised with the guy, and I know him well. Well enough to see the tension in his jaw. The slight shift of his muscles. The minor twitch of his right eye. Yeah, this is the last thing he would’ve guessed, I’d say. Jokes on both of us, though.
“And who’s the father, Griffin?” he demands. “I heard you two are dating.”
“I need you to trade me to the Lions,” I repeat, dodging his question. “She needs to be close to her neurologist and her obstetrician and her family. She’ll need support with the new baby while I’m at away games. I won’t be able to leave either of them without knowing she has her family around while I’m gone.”
The same twitch hits at the corner of his right eye. “And what makes you assume I can do this for you?”