Chapter 37
Preston
“Medium rare,” I called when Shaw asked me how I wanted my steak through the patio door.
“That’s practically bleeding.” Wesley made a face as he brought his beer to his lips.
I shot him an unimpressed look before I moved my gaze to the TV. Hazel sat cross-legged on the living room floor, her eyes glued to the screen.
A smile tugged at my lips as I watched Liv effortlessly repeat everything they were saying with her hands.
“You miss her?” Wes asked.
I nodded before taking a swig of my own beer. “Like crazy. I wish she’d move closer.”
He stared at the television for a moment before he pulled his eyes away. “You know why she left?”
I shrugged. “The job. It was a good opportunity. I know she misses Ray, but she calls him weekly and visits when she can.”
Pride swelled inside my chest. Olivia had it harder than I did growing up.
Not only did her own mother try to end her life, but she had a hard time making friends.
Liv was wicked smart. She didn’t conform to the typical teenage girl who was just interested in clothes and boys.
She loved to read. She loved science and facts.
Anything that wasn’t swayed by indecision.
She loved structure and spreadsheets. She didn’t want any part of being in the popular crowd in high school and spent her time working on her education. That was where she found her passion.
“Who am I to dictate her life?” I said as I pushed to my feet. “But she’s coming for Thanksgiving. Bringing some guy with her too.”
Wesley nearly choked on his beer.
He sputtered out a cough. “What guy?”
“Her new boyfriend.” I stretched my back, peering out the window to see Rodney talking with Theo as Kyndall did flips on the trampoline.
“Boyfriend?” He scoffed. “I can already tell you he’s not good enough for her.”
I chuckled. Poor Liv. Not only did she have me to keep the assholes away, but she had Wes too. I appreciated my friend for it. He had grown up right alongside both of us, and it helped me rest a little easier knowing she had someone else who held her best interest.
“He’s probably not.” I walked to the trash and dropped my empty bottle inside. “I’m going to check on Shaw.”
As I stepped out into the yard, Rodney caught my attention, motioning for me to talk near the gate. Kyndall had called Theo’s name, and he was heading in her direction while I made my way across the yard. Rodney shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Anything from Julia?” he asked.
“Possible mild tear in his rotator cuff. She wants him to rest it this week. Not that I want him out, but the timing is perfect since it’s our bye week.”
He nodded. “All right. Whatever we need to do to keep him healthy. We’re going to need him against the Stallions.”
“Agreed. Ross can step in this week,” I added with a sour taste in my mouth.
Trinity was freaked out after Saturday night. I did my best to take away her anxiety, three times, but I wasn’t exactly sure the little prick didn’t sense something.
Rodney glanced out across the yard. “How’s Trinity doing?”
“What do you mean?” His question caught me off guard.
“I mean at home. She okay over there?”
“Far as I know.” I cleared my throat. “I helped her one night with a tripped breaker, but other than that, she’s been fine.”
I didn’t mention the scuffle and the fact I still had the frozen vegetables she gave me to ice my dick in my freezer.
He shifted. “Any overnight visitors?”
I whipped my eyes to his. “Not that I’ve seen.”
He blew out a breath. “I worry about her. I feel like we’ve made progress.” He paused. “I messed up. I know that. I just want a relationship with her. One that’s not forced.”
His honesty was real. I could read it on his face that he loved her.
“Maybe you should start with telling her about the cancer. She deserves to know.”
He lifted his hand, scratching his five o’clock shadow. “I know. I just…things are finally starting to look brighter. I don’t want my illness to change it.”
I understood. The fact he was even trying said everything. My parents never had a second thought to me or Liv once they tossed us aside.
“The longer you keep it from her, the worse it will be,” I offered.
Hell, look what a hypocrite I am.
“I just want to wait until I find out if the chemo is working.” He laid a palm on my shoulder.
“I appreciate you stepping in for me. I asked you because I trust you. These men look up to you. You have the leadership skills that not only the team looks to, but the other coaches do. I wouldn’t have asked you to take my place if I didn’t think you were the right person for the job. ”
I dipped my chin. “I appreciate it, Rodney.”
What else was there to say? He was asking for my help, and I guess part of me thought if I was helping him, in turn, I was helping Trinity.
But that meant stepping down would be off the table.
Something I’d thought about in the last month since I met her.
I may have even scoured the Canyon University handbook, looking for any possible loopholes to our situation.
I loved this job. Football had always been my first love.
I just wasn’t prepared for something to come along and challenge its place.
I wasn’t prepared for Trinity Maxwell.