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CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Evan

Once we’re home and Nolan is occupied with his toys in his room, I lean against the kitchen counter, wrap my hands around her waist, and pull her into me. “Are you okay?”

She nods, but I don’t believe her.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

She sighs. “I promise you, I didn’t know who he was or that he was married.”

I pull her a little closer to me. “I told you … You don’t have to keep repeating yourself. I believe you.”

She places her hand on my chest. “I don’t want you to think I’m a gold digger. I’m not. I don’t care how much money you make as a baseball player. That’s not why I’m dating you.”

“I know that, Christy. I know you had no idea who I was when we met. Your face alone told me that when you saw me on the field that day.”

She chuckles. “It was that obvious?”

I grin and nod. “Yeah. It was cute. And don’t forget, I pursued you. Not the other way around. No one thinks you’re a gold digger.”

She drops her head to her chest. “His wife hates me.”

“His wife should hate him , not you.”

“I couldn’t believe she was standing up for him. Saying I trapped him and got pregnant on purpose.”

I pull her into me. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”

She lays her head on my chest. “They offered to buy me this townhouse if I walked away and signed a nondisclosure agreement.” She wipes the tears off her face, then lies back on me. “I didn’t want to take it, but my sister convinced me to do so. Not having to pay rent was a huge help in raising Nolan financially. Plus, she said I could make a clean break from him and not have to collect money from him monthly or have a battle, running everything through the courts—which I couldn’t afford, especially with the lawyers that I’m sure he would have brought to the table.”

“So, you signed the papers …”

She nods. “I did. He gave up all parental rights.”

“Then fuck him. If he didn’t want to be in Nolan’s life, then he shouldn’t be. You’re better off without him.”

She inhales and nods again. “Yeah, that’s what I thought too.” She wipes her eyes, this time standing back up straight, but still pressed against me. “I can’t believe she recognized me after all these years.”

That’s when it hits me.

“They knew we were dating.” I sigh and purse my lips together. “That’s why he was so nasty to me about bringing Nolan down on the field that day. He knew who Nolan really was. I bet he saw Nolan on TV when they interviewed my family. Then I’m sure his wife saw the picture that was posted online …”

She covers her mouth in horror. “I look like such a gold-digging slut!”

“No, you don’t! She can think all she wants. I—we know the truth. That’s all that matters.”

She closes her eyes and takes a deep inhale. When she opens them, my heart melts at how beautiful she is.

I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. “Charles—Eddie’s dad—had no clue he had a grandson until today.” Her eyes open a little wider, but she doesn’t say anything, so I continue, “He said, once you’re ready, he’d like to get to know Nolan. Said he wants to make it right.”

She inhales slowly, then lets it out. “I don’t know …”

“And you have every right to not know. Eddie signed away his rights. You don’t have to do a damn thing. I just wanted to make sure you knew that when you’re ready, Charles will be waiting.”

The next day, I walk into our locker room, only to be stopped by Coach Declan. “Charles wants to see you. He’s in the team office, waiting for you.”

I stare at him, and he holds up his hands.

“I get it. I heard about it all, believe me. I even told him to not mess with you, as I need your head to be in the game today. Eddie is not here, and Charles promised it would be quick.”

I shake my head as I let out a breath. “Fine. Let me put my stuff down, and I’ll head up there.”

I feel a few of my teammates watching me walk to my locker, so I don’t dare look their way. I’m sure they’ve all heard what happened and why. I don’t want to talk about Christy’s business, so I ignore them all, drop my stuff, and head to the team office.

Before I enter, I take a deep breath, knock, then open the door to see Charles sitting behind a large desk.

“Evan.” He stands to greet me. “Thank you for coming.”

“Mr. Stone, as I said before”—I get right to the point—“I don’t want to get in the middle of this. Your son signed over his rights. Christy doesn’t?—”

“I know. I found out about everything last night. I’ve never been so disappointed in my son in all of his life. I did not raise him to be this way. I’m embarrassed for him and for our family. I won’t drag you into this. I just wanted to give you my personal number to give to Christy.” He hands me a card. “When she is ready, my door will be wide open. Eddie lost his chance, but my wife and I would like to have ours—if Christy will let us, of course. Eddie’s wife never wanted kids. This is our only grandchild. We just want to know who he is, and if she’ll allow, we’d like to be a part of his life.”

I flip the card in my hand. “I’ll give it to her. That’s all I can do. If she doesn’t contact you, then I’m sorry. And if we need to talk about me being traded, please let me know now.”

“Absolutely not.” He stops me, holding out his hand to me, palm up. “As of today, my son has nothing to do with this team. I’ve completely removed him from any part of ownership. Please let Christy know she is welcome here anytime to come watch you play. I promise I will keep my distance, until, hopefully, she’ll allow us all to watch a game together.”

I nod and turn to leave. I have nothing else to say. This is not my decision, but I’m glad it’s not going to affect me playing for this team.