Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Renn
Play Ball
Renn spent the day arguing with his team’s assistant manager and wondering if he was really cut out for the business of being a pro football player, because talking about social media, brand, and contract negotiations was daunting.
When he arrived at the Hart house for family dinner, he didn’t expect to see the family attorney, but he should have known.
Declan Shaw was not only a huge man, but his sister was engaged to Levi.
He was definitely going to look out for their best interests.
“Is this where you all tell me I’m not really Michael Ripley Hart’s son?”
Declan looked to Wesley who cleared his throat. “We’re not disputing that, Renn.”
“The Harts asked me to adjust some of the family estate documents,” Declan said, sliding several papers across the dining room table toward Renn. There were at least a dozen in the stack with several tabs that said sign here.
“I’ll need a copy of your driver’s license, and then once you sign, we can notarize the documents.
Now let’s review the forms,” Declan said, opening a large folder.
“The family estate is owned by the four of you. If something should happen to any one of you, the estate is automatically recalculated to the remaining living brothers. No spouse can lay claim to a portion—only children can inherit. No one person can decide to sell any of the assets linked to the family estate, and a majority vote is needed for any sales or additions.” Declan looked up and scanned the group to see if there were any questions before he went on.
“There were some liquid assets when your father passed but most were used for taxes, upkeep, land and pier maintenance, and your brother’s education,” he said to Renn.
“Why are you telling me all of this?” Renn asked.
“Because you inherited part of the estate,” Dalton said.
“I’m not here for money or land,” Renn said.
“Your brothers have determined they would like to repay you the amount you should have inherited when your father died. And once you sign, you’re one fourth owner of the Hart estate,” Declan said.
“It’s all accounted for, with interest,” Wesley said. “It’s what Dad would have wanted, but even more importantly it’s what we want.”
Renn looked down at the number and couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Wes asked.
“Well, I could have used some of those zeros along the way. But I really don’t need it now. And I’d feel really weird about taking money from you all.”
“Your brothers,” Dalton said.
“Look, Renn, we owe you. And ya, maybe Wes is a public servant and Dalton’s just a small-town doctor, but we’re good for that cash. Dad would have wanted you to have it,” Levi said via the video chat they had him on.
“I appreciate that, but I’m still not comfortable taking it.”
“Just like your mama, proud and hardworking,” Mrs. Hart said, patting his hand. “That’s alright—we can just set it in a trust. Then the boys will feel better and if you ever need it, it’s there.”
Renn nodded. “Fine. So, was that it? You wanted to give me my fourth?”
His brothers exchanged looks.
“Yes, we want you to get your fourth of the money, the estate, and welcome you into this family. We don’t really know what that looks like.
But it starts with family dinners, lots of texts, and the obligation to attend all family gatherings, formal or informal.
But also, you’re welcome, if not expected, anytime you’re in town,” Levi said.
“Every day, every holiday, you can expect your family to be here,” Mrs. Hart said.
Renn looked from Dalton to Wes, Levi, and to Mrs. Hart. And the knot in his throat started to make his eyes water. “I think there’s something else I need to tell you,” Renn said, wiping his eyes. “If we’re going to be family.”
“We already know,” Dalton said.
“What?” Renn said.
“You do know I’m the sheriff in this town with some investigative background. We may have been a baseball family up until today, but it looks like we’ll need to get some Aces swag too,” Wes said.
Levi laughed. “You know the thing that gets me so mad, aside from not knowing I had a third brother for twenty-six years, is how much Dad would have enjoyed this.”
“Your dad’s two favorite teams and two youngest sons are professional players,” Mrs. Hart said, shaking her head.
Renn wasn’t sure how to take this information.
“You already knew I play football?” And they all nodded.
“Any other big announcements we should know about?” Wes asked.
“So, you’re all saying you want me to be one of you. Even though my mom was the other woman, and we didn’t grow up together? Just like that, you accept me?”
Dalton reached out to pat Renn’s back. “None of that was our fault, not yours or ours. Why shouldn’t we want you to be our brother?”
“You’re not worried I’ll embarrass your family? You’re not ashamed?”
Wes hit the table. “No. We’re not ashamed to say we have a younger brother. I won’t lie, I’m mad at Dad for being disloyal to our mom and not telling us about you. He should have tried to bring us all together. All those years we lost is a big wound.”
“But we can’t change it, and it doesn’t mean we can’t all start new now,” Dalton said.
Renn shook his head in disbelief. “Alright, then maybe I can get some brotherly advice on what to do this season with a new contract from the Aces.”
“Oh easy. I got a guy. You need my agent, Hal, and his sister runs all my PR. They’ll get you the best deal,” Levi said.
Renn hesitated. “The thing is I’m not sure I want to be the starting quarterback for the Aces.”
Three sets of blue eyes looked back at Renn.
“You probably got a lot of offers. You don’t have to stay in Georgia,” Wes offered.
“Not sure I want any. I was kind of content as second string—low pressure, good salary.”
“Oh, I know what’s happening here, you’re having imposture syndrome,” Levi said. “You’re afraid of your own success, getting everything you wanted but not believing you really deserved it,” Levi said.
“Is that a thing?” Mrs. Hart said.
“I don’t know about all that,” Renn said.
“Well, baby brother, you just came into a decent inheritance, and you have an estate to live on,” Dalton said. “We all planned to build a house on this land, so yours can be next.”
“And do what with my life?”
“Only you can answer that, but I don’t think you’re done with playing ball. I vote you sign with the Aces, see how it fits. Maybe you’re the next big star or maybe you’ll bomb.”
“Levi,” Wes said.
“So, you go back to warming the bench but at least you’ll know.”
“Know what?”
“Who you are and what you want. What you’re made of,” Levi said.
“When do you need to decide?” Dalton said.
“By next week. I guess I better talk to that agent,” Renn said.
“Good—and you’ll move in here or you can stay out at my Silver Bullet,” Levi said. “It’s amazing.”
Wes rolled his eyes. “Levi will build you a house when his baseball season is over,” Wes offered.
“Y’all are sure about all this?”
“I told you on the first day we met: Gran won’t ever let you go now. It doesn’t matter what you do, you’re our fourth. Accept it,” Levi said.
They spent the rest of the evening breaking bread and talking about sports.
It was the first time since his mom died that he felt mostly whole again.
There would always be an ache in his heart for her, but knowing he wasn’t alone anymore was the kind of comfort only a family could provide. And he had one again.