Chapter 37
It turns out retirement looks a lot like staying.
Nolan
I knock on Charlie’s door. I hope he opens. But I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. His daughter dumped me. He probably doesn’t want to have anything to do with me.
“Nolan,” he says when he opens the door. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to intrude.”
“Intrude?” He snorts. “You’re my son-in-law. You can’t intrude.”
I wince. He doesn’t know. I thought the whole island was fueled by gossip. Shit. Now, I have to tell him.
“Um… you do know Terri ended things?”
He scowls. “You’re not letting her run away because she’s scared, are you?”
I blow out a breath. “I’m not giving up on her, but I don’t know what to do.”
He grins. “And you came to me for help?”
“Not exactly. Although, I could use your help. I actually have some deliveries arriving today.”
His brow wrinkles. “Here?”
My cheeks heat, but I power through. “You’re the little mermaid’s grandfather. She’s going to spend a lot of time with you. I want you to have everything you need.”
He motions me inside. “You better come in.”
We settle at the kitchen table across from each other with cups of coffee. “Now, tell me. What stuff do you have coming?”
“A crib, a changing table, a dresser, a rocking chair.”
He blinks. “That’s everything for a baby’s room.”
I shrug. “I want the baby to be comfortable here. You’re the only family she’ll have on the island.”
“Besides you.”
I don’t answer. I can’t. I don’t know whether I’ll be living on this island. I need to find a job. Figure out what to do with my life after football. I thought I’d live on the island and help Terri raise our little mermaid. But Terri doesn’t think I’ll stay. She doesn’t trust me.
Charlie sets down his coffee cup. “What’s going on in your head?”
I stall. “What do you mean?”
He chuckles. “I raised four kids who were all messed up from their pasts. I know when someone’s mulling over a situation.”
I sigh. “It’s Terri. She still doesn’t believe I’ll stay. After everything I’ve done for her.”
“She’s worried she’s ruining your life.”
I scowl. “Retiring is the right choice.”
He shakes his head. “Terri thinks she’s ruining your life the way pregnancy ruined her mother’s life. I have tried to tell her pregnancy didn’t ruin her mom’s life, but she doesn’t listen.”
“What do I do? How do I convince her I’ll stay? How do I convince her she’s not ruining my life? She’s the best thing to ever happen to me. Her and our little mermaid are my family. I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.”
He rubs a hand over his jaw. “You’re asking for a lot in a short time. Retiring the year the Seals are favored to win the Super Bowl? It’s a big leap for her to believe you’re not changing everything for her.”
“My shoulder is bad. I can play, but I’m afraid of the long-term damage. I want to be able to throw a football with my kid someday.”
My dad never threw a football with me. Hell, he barely paid attention to me until I made the varsity team in high school. Then, it was all about winning. Not playing. Not enjoying the sport. I will not be him.
Charlie nods. “Yeah, I saw how you were favoring it at practice the other day.”
My eyes widen. “You saw?”
“Kiddo, it wasn’t hard to see.”
“Then, you understand. I can’t play. It’s time to retire.”
My phone rings but I ignore it.
“I understand, but Terri doesn’t.” He stands. “Answer your phone. I’ll be outside waiting for the deliveries.”
I dig my phone out. Knox is calling.
“Coach Knox,” I answer.
“Allen, we need to talk.”
“I can’t come in. I’m waiting for a delivery.”
“This is fine.” He pauses. “I noticed you helping Beck out the other day.”
“Beck’s going to be a good quarterback. He just needed to get out of his head.”
“Did you enjoy helping him?”
I consider his question. “Actually, I did. It felt good.”
“Excellent. I have a proposition for you.”
“Which is?” I ask when he doesn’t continue.
“I assume you know I’m leaving the Seals and will be coaching college football at Coastal State University?”
Of course, I know. Everyone knows. You can’t keep a secret in a football team any easier than on Smuggler’s Hideaway.
“Yep. I know.”
“How would you feel about being my assistant coach? My quarterback coach?”
I open my mouth to say I’m a player, not a coach, but pause when I realize I’m not a player anymore. I’m retired. Or, at least, I will be in a month or two when the second-string quarterback is ready to take over. Or the team decides to contract a free agent. Or move the rookie up to first string.
But maybe the Super Bowl isn’t the only legacy that matters. Maybe playing it forward means teaching the next generation instead.
“The pay is significantly less than you’re currently earning, but you’d be able to live on Smuggler’s Hideaway.”
Live on Smuggler’s Hideaway? He said the magical words. This is the perfect solution. If I’m here, I can convince Terri I’m staying. I can show her she isn’t ruining my life. She’s improving it. Without her, there is no life.
“Yes. I’m in.”
He laughs. “I figured you might be. Can’t win a woman back if you’re in Steel City.”
I groan. “You know Terri dumped me.”
“My woman is a local. By the way, Jade’s a real estate agent if you need one.”
I didn’t think I’d buy a house on the island. I thought I’d live with Terri in her adorable little bungalow with a view of the ocean. But maybe buying her a house will show her I’m here to stay?
Maybe I can do a grand gesture. Wrap a ribbon around the house. Get down on one knee…
Damn. Here I am thinking about proposing to her, and she dumped me. She ended our relationship as if it was an easy feat.
Too bad for her, I’m not going anywhere. I broke through Terri’s fears once. I can do it again.
“Set up a meeting and let me know when.”
There’s a scream in the background.
Knox grunts. “That’s Jade. She’s excited.”
At least someone is.
“Nolan!” Charlie peeks inside the house. “The delivery truck is here.”
“I’ve gotta go.”
“We’ll set up a meeting to discuss the position. Happy to have you on the team, Nolan. You’ll make a great addition.”
He hangs up and I sit with his words for a while. He’s not offering me this position because he feels bad for me. He seriously thinks I’ll do a good job. It feels good.
I stand and make my way to Charlie.
“You accept the job?”
I bark out a laugh. “Were you listening to my conversation?”
He shrugs. “You’re the first man to break through my daughter’s barriers. I need to trust you. I need to know you won’t break her heart.”
“I won’t,” I vow. “She’s the most precious thing in the world to me.”
“That’s all I need to know.” He slaps me on the back. “I hope your shoulder isn’t hurting today because you’re in charge of carrying shit.”
I shake my head as I follow him outside to where the delivery truck is waiting.
My heart is much lighter than when I arrived. Charlie is on my side. I have a new job. I’m buying a house on the island.
I don’t know how I’ll convince Terri I’m staying. That I won’t run away. But I will.
Because I am not letting the woman I love go. I want a family with our little mermaid.