Page 106 of Payoff Pitch

He chuckles. “I got an earful from Doris about it. Even no-personality Joel chimed in.”

“It’s really no one’s business, with the possible exception of Fallon, and only because of its impact on our daughter. Honestly, Fallon has been pretty cool about it. She likes Bailey.”

“As do you, son.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “A little too much.”

“Cut it out. We’re simply having fun together. It’s casual.”

He holds up his hands in surrender. “No judgment from me. I’m happy for you. Her sister is a pistol.”

“She’s nuts. They’re complete opposites.”

“Speaking of opposites, your brother called me this week.”

I roll my eyes. “Did he want money or money?”

“Both. A lot of it. Said he’s indire need.”

I roll my eyes at Lincoln’s dramatics. “You didn’t give it to him, did you?”

“Hell no. I told him if he held a respectable job for a year, I’d match the salary. He wouldn’t even consider it. Can you imagine that?”

“It’s a generous offer.”

“I only did so to make a point. I knew he’d never do it. He’s never held a job for more than a few months. It’s amazing how different my two sons turned out. He’s such a disappointment on every level.”

I slowly nod. “Are you disappointed that I never made itto the big leagues? You were so happy when I was in my pitching glory. I feel like I let you down.”

He jerks his head in surprise. “Where did that come from after all these years?”

“Bailey thinks I bottle things up inside and avoid deeper conversations with people. She got me to open up about that time in my life and how it shaped me. It’s had me thinking about it.”

“Opening up to yourcasualparamour, are you?”

He gives me a playful look, and I roll my eyes.

He continues, “It’s good to talk about things that weigh on you. To be clear, I was never disappointedinyou; I was disappointedforyou. It was your dream, not mine. Nothing is more fulfilling as a parent than seeing your child achieve their dreams. Nothing is as horrible as seeing that dream slip away. But dreams change. Do you know how many little boys dream of being professional baseball players? A lot more than achieve it. You’ve succeeded where most don’t.”

“But I didn’t succeed.”

“The hell you didn’t. You’re forty-three, almost forty-four. If you had played, your career would be long over. You love baseball and sports in general. You get to advocate for the best athletes in the world every single day. You run a business that’s afforded you a beautiful home, good food on your table, and your daughter will never want for anything a day in her life. Speaking of your daughter, she’s smart, stunning, kind, and so damn special. It all sounds like success to me. Disappointed in you? Not for one single minute of your life. You’re my pride and joy. The best thing I’ve ever done. The only thing left for me to wish for you is happiness.”

“You don’t think I’m happy?”

“I think you’re unfulfilled in certain parts of life.”

I’m about to ask what he means by that, but I’m pretty sure I know the answer. I stand and stretch. With a bit of ayawn I say, “I’m getting tired. I think I’m going to head up to bed.”

He chuckles. “I guess that Bailey is pretty smart.”

I pinch my eyes together in confusion.

“About avoiding deeper conversations.”

I twist my lips and mumble, “Baby steps.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

BAILEY