Brett gave her a crooked grin even as she pulled him to her, kissing his lips softly. “I love you, Madi,” he said when she pulled back.
“I love you, Cap. Now you get out there and show Quillan Layton that cannon of yours. You are Zeus, thrower of thunderbolts, and as your queen I demand to see your power in all its glory.”
Brett’s eyes sparkled, he nodded, and they both stood. Brett took her hand and they made their way out to the practice field.
The ride was silent on the way to Brett’s parents’ house that night. He was reeling from his poor performance. It hadn’t improved with Madison’s speech, or her presence, of which he’d been certain would help get his mind in the game. By the tenth toss, he’d called it and he could see Quil was disappointed too. It made the humiliation so much worse. Brett had never had an ED problem but assumed this would be what it felt like for a man who did. It fucking sucked.
Madi was gracious enough not to follow him into the locker room and make excuses for him, apologize to him, or give him some BS encouragement that would only make him feel like more of a sorry excuse for a quarterback than he already did. That was yet another thing he loved about the woman who’d always been his best friend; she knew when he needed advice and when he needed her silence—tonight was that night.
She’d simply taken his hand and they’d left the complex around five. His parents were expecting them for dinner, and despite his foul mood, he was eager to see them. It’d been weeks.
When they came up to the door, Brett’s mom, Sophia, answered it. She gave her son a bright smile and opened her arms for a hug. It didn’t matter how old he got, he would always feel home in this woman’s loving arms.
“Hey, Momma,” he stated as he pulled her against his chest, cradling her head.
She squeezed him tightly. “Oh, there’s my boy. It’s good to see you.”
“You too.” He pulled back to look at her lovely face with its distant Italian roots, her hazel eyes and deep brown hair pulled up in its usual bun.
“Madison, child, you get more beautiful every time I see you. How are you, my sweet girl?” His mom moved to Madi and grabbed her, kissing her forehead and embracing her tightly.
“I’m good. Really good. Thanks to your son.”
She patted Brett’s bicep as Sophia released her. Sophia’s eyebrow rose, and she gave Brett a knowing look. “Something you two wanna share?”
Brett couldn’t help the blush that came to his cheeks. “Well, uh… we…”
“We’re taking things slow but,” Madi looked up into his eyes and he literally swooned, “we’re...well, we’re together now.”
Sophia laughed and jumped up and down. “Oh, thank God. It’s about freaking time.”
“Mom,” Brett scolded but laughed as she patted his cheek, tears coming to her hazel eyes.
“You two were meant for one another, if I can be so bold.” His mom pulled them all together in a group hug. “We mothers know what makes our children’s hearts complete. Madi always completed you, Brett. And it looks like you’ve finally let her in on that secret.”
When his mom pulled away, she was wiping tears from her eyes.
“I’m sorry I’m emotional about it, it’s just… I’m so glad something good can come from this tragedy. We start to see what really matters in life when we lose those closest to us.” Sophia had lost her sister when they were just teenagers. Bianca had been in a car accident right before she graduated high school; his mom had always revered her big sister. She’d see Bianca in every butterfly that flew by, thus why her kitchen was literally overflowing with them—well not real ones, figurines, wallpaper and depictions. Bianca had always been obsessed with butterflies, so Sophia surrounded her life with them, even released them at her and Drew’s wedding in commemoration of her sister.
Madi leaned in, kissed his mother’s cheek, and the two women hugged again. Brett’s heart swelled to bursting. He’d always loved how close Madi and his mother were.
“How’s my two favorite kiddos?” Brett’s father, Drew asked as he walked up at that time.
Brett smirked, even as he pulled his old man in for a hug. “I’ll be sure and tell Brock and Bridger that, Dad.”
“Nah, it’s our little secret,” his dad joshed. Brett knew his father didn’t actually have a “favorite” despite that Brett was the only one who’d followed in his dad’s footsteps as far as football was concerned. Brock was an engineer and Bridger was in finance.
Brett was the oldest of three boys and man, they’d been all boy. All out, all the time. Wild, reckless… broken limbs, cuts, skinned knees constantly. Brett wasn’t sure how his soft-spoken petite mother had done it; she’d always been patient and never raised her voice to any of them. God bless her little heart, literally.
“Drew,” Madi said and pulled Brett’s dad in for a hug.
“Madi, honey, you look great. My son have anything to do with that smile?” Drew winked, and Brett was certain he’d overheard their conversation in the foyer.
Madi just grinned back and they all moved into the living room. Before she could even sit down on the couch next to him, Brett’s mom was playing hostess, of which Madi politely joined her in the kitchen to assist.
Drew took his usual recliner and muted the television; it was set to ESPN, like always.
Brett was grateful for the moment alone with his dad when he said, “So, you being with Madi the reason you’re feeling so guilty?”
How could he possibly know that…unless…?
“Jerry tell you about my shitty-ass practice?” Brett blushed.
“Nope. You’ve always worn your heart on your sleeve, son. I can see something’s bothering you bad. The chip on your shoulder is mighty heavy.”
Brett’s father had always had
