Code for speak to Georgie. I swallowed and said, “Thanks, Phil.”
I hung up and stared at her. She finished pouring the batter into the machine and then straightened as she asked, “What’s going on?”
I widened my stance. This was it. No more waiting. I met her gaze and said, “New York offered thirty million for ten years.”
Her chin fell as she asked, “New York?”
This wasn’t her ideal. I got that. I came closer and held my palms out as I said, “I read an article last night that only one third of the players actually live in Manhattan, and it’s usually the single ones. There are homes farther out, with space not that far and we can house hunt, together.”
Her eyes misted and she turned to watch the steam out of the waffle maker as she said, “So you want New York.”
I patted her back. Before we married, we’d discussed Pittsburgh and how open I was as long as I got the money. Money proved I was one of the best players in the league and I needed that evidence in my paycheck. I’d wished the Sooners got that, but money meant I was valued. I kept my voice low as I said, “I want the money to secure our future, ensure Jeremy has the best school money can buy, a car when he’s old enough…”
She stopped trembling and opened the machine to take out the first waffle and add more batter as she said, “Let me think about it.”
“Think fast. The offer has a time limit,” I said and made the coffee.
We heard Jeremy moving around upstairs as we set the plates, juice, and coffee on the table, and she finished the last waffle. She didn’t look at me as she said, “I am okay with most of the country. I always get overwhelmed in New York, and I want to research schools, make a spreadsheet.”
Research wasn’t a full no, and she’d mentioned her process in the past. I hoped she’d agree to the changes so we could be together more, as I asked, “Yeah?”
Her face had a bit of a blush when she said, “I need to figure out what’s best for Jeremy. That will always be my priority.”
The best education was important. I playfully pressed our shoulders together and said, “I understand. Maybe we can figure out a way for schools to transition and get a private tutor/nanny to ensure a seamless transition?”
Her face went white as she asked, “You’d subject our son to losing an entire class of his peers and being all by himself, with a tutor, for ten years?”
That was the wrong answer. I needed to figure out how to be a better parent. “I’m just spit balling suggestions on how we can make it work.”
She nodded like she accepted my answer and then pressed her hand on my back. “Let’s have breakfast and you can drive us to the airport.”
Jeremy was still upstairs, but it sounded like he was on the stairs now. I wrapped my arms around her and said, “Okay, Georgie. Kiss me first.”
“Kisses don’t make everything better,” she said but her face came up to meet mine.
Her warm breath on my skin sent my body into overdrive. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I lowered my lashes, “No, but they can open up softer communication, so we don’t argue.”
And then I kissed her. This was perfect. She was my everything. She let out a small sigh as I let her go and she patted my shoulder alerting me that Jeremy was behind me. “We’ll talk. I promise.”
I waved at my son to join us at the table and said, “Good because I want the money.”
I needed the validation. Her lips pressed together but she brought the waffles and sat down with us. We didn’t talk about it as we ate.
We didn’t need to, I guess. I was owed in cash and the Sooners hadn’t put the money up to prove they’d wanted me. So, we were going.
Jeremy and Georgie just needed time, and I could give them 72 hours or more if Phil pulled that off. And then I was signing on the dotted line.
Chapter 15
Georgie
Michael’s house here was amazing. We’d have room to breathe.
Texas had sounded amazing because his family would join us, and we’d have space. But New York?
The streets were always crammed with people. The hotel rooms were tiny. Everything was jam-packed.
Even Central Park had no corners to hide in. Strangers had sat next to me when I'd tried to rest on a park bench. I’d left my job interview on Wall Street with a huge headache that no meditation technique quite worked out of my system.
I’d sworn to never ever go back and now Michael expected me to move to a place I might hate.
How in the world would I be a good parent if I was stressed out all the time?
No amount of money was worth my health.
I needed to live for my son.
Michael parked near the entrance of the airport and took our bags out. “Jeremy, I’ll see you in a week in Pittsburgh.”
Jeremy hugged him and said, “That will be good, Michael.”
And that was another thing. My son wasn’t comfortable calling his own father "Dad". That was probably a sign I pushed for some impossible dream, and I needed to not push.
My heart raced as Michael handed me my bag and said, “We might need to make some calls about New York’s offer.”
“New York?” Jeremy switched his bag to his other arm and stared at us.
Michael knelt down and told our son, “Yeah, they came back with the perfect contract.”
Jeremy didn’t even blink. “Do I get a brand-new car when I’m old enough then?”
Michael laughed, nodded, and hugged him as he stood. “Whatever one you want.”
Jeremy held out his thumb and said, “I’m good then.”
I blinked. My skin
