“You could solve the money concerns by offering them some kind of stipend for their trouble.” Harris always worked the angles on any problem.
“Yeah, if the only problem was greed, it’d be simple. I’d donate to their church, which is as good as putting money in their pockets since the uncle is the pastor. I’m sure they’d like to send the kid packing, but how would they justify it as a selfless act? Especially to such an inappropriate choice as me? After all, and I quote, my ‘life is not stable.’”
“Marriage shows stability.” All heads turned toward Zach.
Marriage-phobic Harris had the same horrified expression Bruiser suspected was on his own face.
Zach shrugged. “Well, I would know.”
“You think I should get a wife just so I can get custody of Elliot?” Bruiser rubbed his temples as his brain beat itself against his skull, giving a new meaning to the word headache.
“Yeah, if Elliot means that much to you. Marriages have been made over less than that,” Zach said.
Bruiser shrugged, conceding that point. Hell, for him love didn’t work the first time around, why should it be a valid reason for marriage this time? Not that there’d be a this time.
“I’m a great believer in marry first, and she’ll fall in love with you later.”
Derek and Harris gaped at Zach like he’d just suggested they join a knitting circle at the senior citizen center.
“Ignore him; he’s a moron,” Harris snorted. “Marriage is just a piece of paper, doesn’t mean a fucking thing.”
Derek rolled his eyes and gave his cousin a disgusted look. “Yeah, really? How’s that working for you? Rachel tells me Lavender’s getting restless. You might just find an arrow in your heart one morning or an empty bed.”
“Or both.” Zach grinned, as if the thought conjured up some interesting possibilities. “You could try living with a decent woman, but I’m guessing this aunt would consider that a sin. So it’s marriage or take your chances.”
Brett, who’d been quiet during this entire crazy conversation, finally spoke. “I could see you and Mac together. I think you might have staying power.”
Bruiser turned to look at his friend like he’d just proclaimed all football be a noncontact sport. “I’ve been down the aisle once. No way am I going down that devil’s path again, even with Mac. Especially with Mac. There has to be another way.”
He looked to each one of his teammates. Every single asshole wore a stupefied expression on his face, except Harris, and he was nodding. This was not good to be on the same side as Harris. What did that say for Bruiser and his judgment? The only place Harris displayed good judgment was on the football field and by picking Lavender.
“Mac’s had a crush on you for the last couple years. Everyone knows it. Plus, she’d make a great mother.” Derek warmed to Zach’s crazy-assed idea.
Bruiser rubbed the back of his neck and stared hard at nothing. Mac? A crush on him? He’d suspected it the past few months, but for a few years? The thought seemed outrageous.
“Yeah, and she’d be devoted. She’d never cheat. She’s not that type,” Brett added.
Bruiser wanted to pound his head against the wall, but it already hurt like hell. “Sure, she’d be a great mother if she didn’t spend every spare minute looking for a brother she will probably never find.”
“That’s her father playing on her guilt. It’s tragic how good people do dumb-shit things and are completely oblivious as to how much they’re screwing up their kids,” Brett said.
Not one to keep his mouth shut, Zach offered more uninvited advice. “You could ask her. The worst she can do is spit in your face.”
If they thought that was the worst thing Mac could do, they didn’t know Mac very well. Bruiser liked to keep his privates intact and functioning, not to mention his heart, though it’d already taken a beating because of one little blonde groundskeeper.
* * * * *
Almost a month had passed since Mac and Bruiser did their version of breaking up, which essentially meant they didn’t sleep together anymore. Their affair had been short, sweet, and hot, but Mac took some comfort in knowing she lasted longer than any of Bruiser’s other relationships in the past three or four years.
Mac still hung out on Monday nights at O’Malley’s with the team, along with Bruiser, both of them playing the part of friends without benefits. She missed him more than she’d ever admit, and not just the sex. She missed those blue-gray eyes that could light up the darkest world and make her believe, if only for a short while, everything would be fine. She missed his quick wit and his storytelling abilities. She missed the gentle, generous soul who worked with burn victims and made their lives that much better. She just flat out missed him, but she doubted she was even a blip on his radar.
After all, a new football season lurked just around the corner, and Bruiser loved his football.
The team was deep into training camp after winning its first two preseason games, led mostly by Brett and the defense. Tyler never played much in preseason; his arm was too valuable to risk. Brett lived for preseason and actual playing time in a game situation. Bruiser—as usual—immersed himself in football to the exclusion of all else.
Like Mac didn’t know that story. Her father became more rabid than ever to find her brother, spending money he didn’t have on private detectives, going places he couldn’t afford to go, and looking so rough he’d been mistaken for a homeless person
