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“Em, yeah you did, bro. You don’t do girlfriends. Ever.”
“Football is my priority,” I reply simply. I’ve been asked about the subject so many times during interviews, the reply is automatic.
“Exactly, so what changed? I mean, she seems cool and all. I just want the play-by-play.”
“There’s your answer. She’s cool, kind, funny. Different from the other girls,” I say, because that would be the truth. If I did ever date someone, it’d be for those reasons.
“Well, I’m stoked.” He bumps his fist on my shoulder. “Wait a while before you tell Pipe, though. Otherwise, your news will outshine mine. After all, it’s not the first time I’ve come back from active duty unexpectedly.”
“Ha-ha. Very funny. How do you know I haven’t already told her?”
He bursts into laughter. “If she knew, she would have told me. No way she could have kept a secret like that.”
I roll my eyes. He’s right. Piper has been on my case about finding a woman for years. She introduced me to countless friends until she finally gave up. But Drew has a point; I don’t want to steal the spotlight. I’ll hold on to the news for a while. Between that and her husband coming back, she might have a heart attack.
I ring the bell at Piper and Andrew’s front door. Drew already crept around back so we could put our plan in motion.
“Wade,” Piper says as she opens the door. “So glad to see you.” She draws me into a hug.
“Hey, Pipe.” We break apart, and I step into the house behind her. I called her a few days ago to ask if I could spend the afternoon with the boys, pretending to have a little free time.
“Boys,” she calls. “Uncle Wade’s here.”
We stroll through the living area, and I follow her to the kitchen. Piper always bakes something when I come by. She’s my favourite in-law. Okay, she’s my only in-law, but if she did have competition, those chocolate chip cookies piled on the plate would earn her the prize. Even if I do dial down on sugar during the season, one cookie never hurt anyone.
“How are you?” I ask, helping myself to a cookie as she’s brewing us some tea.
“Good. I found this new book club, and I love it. We meet every week. There’s a bunch of other mums there. It’s exactly what I needed to help me unwind. Going there tonight, actually.”
“Uncle Wade!” Jackson and Everett come tramping down the stairs and straight into my arms. They’re two of the best things in my life, and I love them to the stars and back. Jackson is seven and Everett three. I grab Everett’s hands and spin him around me in a circular motion like I always do. I’m rewarded with fits of loud giggles.
“You might want to cancel your plans for tonight, Pipe,” I say, putting Everett down.
She places two cups of tea on the counter, frowning. “Why’s that?”
I shrug casually and wrap my hand around the mug. “I don’t know. Maybe have a look outside?”
Her eyes widen slightly, and they start to fill with tears. “No,” she whispers, running to the sliding door. She throws it open and steps outside, her gaze flitting left and right. Then, she lets out a little shriek and bends down, one hand covering her face.
Drew comes out of hiding and wraps his arms around her. The boys quickly notice him, Jackson shooting me a look of excitement before scrambling over to his dad.
Pipe and Drew are covering each other with hugs and kisses while Jackson and Everett jump around their dad, embracing him. A tear pricks at the corner of my eye. Their reunion is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, and a small part of me envies my brother. I know it’s dumb. Being a pro footballer was my dream—is my dream—and I’m living it every single day. But it’s also my entire life. It’s such a demanding job, physically and mentally, that there isn’t much space left for anything else. I know I’ll have a shot at the wife and kids later in life, but sometimes, I wish I could have it all right now.
We’re about to eat dinner—Piper and Drew insisted I stay even though I wanted to give them some family time—when my phone rings. It’s Ashley, my publicist. I wrinkle my forehead, a twinge of worry in my gut. She doesn’t call me often, and when she does, it’s never good news.
I excuse myself from the table and walk outside to take the call. It’s a little chilly out, but the pergola blocks most of the wind.
“Ashley, what’s up?”
“Hey, Wade. Hope I’m not disturbing you. Do you have a moment?”
“Shoot.”
“We have a problem.”
Here we go. Ashley’s favourite sentence.
She continues in a low voice, “Ivory is putting the contract on hold. Because of the fight last week, they need some time to consider whether they really want you as a brand ambassador.”
