Page 161 of Payoff Pitch
“Listen, I want to tell you how much I appreciate what you’ve done for my sister. This environment was so much better for her than a rehab hospital would have been. I know that’s why she’s doing so well.”
“I’d do anything for her too.”
“I’m glad you feel that way because I think it’s time for her and me to move back to our apartment.”
My face falls, and she notices.
“I assumed you’d be happy to get rid of me.”
“You? Yes. Her? No.”
She blows out a breath. “Again, I’m appreciative of what you’ve done for her. Don’t take what I’m about to say as any lack of gratitude for everything. The rekindling of your relationship has been good for her mental health during this difficult time, but it’s not good for her long-term mental health. I’m asking you as someone who just said he’d do anything for her to please let her go. It’s time.”
My jaw tightens. “I can’t do that.” I nervously scratch through my beard. “I was planning to call your father soon, but I bought a ring. In fact, I bought it before the accident. I want to marry her.”
Her eyebrows pinch together. “What happened to you never getting married again?”
“Bailey happened.”
“What about kids? She loves Harper like her own, but she’s meant to mother a gaggle of kids, not just one.”
“Can I ask you to keep something between us for one more week?”
“I can try. I’m not very good at secrets.”
“Fair enough. Also, before the accident, I had my vasectomy reversed.”
She’s got a look of pure shock on her face. “What?”
“When you guys were in the playoffs, a few weeks before the night of the accident, I had a procedure done toreconnect things in hopes that I could give her the children she should have.”
“Why doesn’t she know this?”
“I was supposed to go back a month after the surgery for them to test me to see if…the pipes are reconnected properly. At first, I didn’t go because of everything going on with her. Then I just wimped out. If the answer isn’t what I want, I know I need to let her go. But the appointment is set for next week. I’m going to find out one way or the other. If it’s what I hope for, I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
She sits down. I think she’s in shock. “Wow. I didn’t see this coming.”
“I love her, Kamryn. I want to be with her. Whatever it takes.”
She’s quiet for a few long beats before she stands, seemingly eager to get away from me. “I…umm…have a few errands to run. Tell her I’ll be home for dinner.”
She walks out the front door, but the doorbell rings less than five minutes later. Maybe she forgot her key.
I open it and nearly fall over in shock. “Linc?”
He smiles and opens his arms. “No hug for your baby brother?”
BAILEY
I’ve had the best afternoon shooting hoops. I can’t do everything I once could, but my shot isn’t bad. For some reason, it makes me happy to know that I haven’t completely lost it.
It was Sulley and Harper against me and Fallon. Fallon is great, and Harper isn’t bad. She’s such a natural athlete. I smile ather as we walk back toward the house. “You got your mom’s basketball skills. You should play on a team.”
She shakes her head emphatically. “I love softball. I’m a softball player.”
“You’re young. You can play both. In fact, at your age, youshouldplay both.”
She turns to Fallon. “Do you think I’m dexterous, Mommy?”