Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
“Okay,” Max says with a nod. “I can accept not wanting to have kids—which would be a huge point of contention in your marriage—but why a divorce? Y’all could have put the subject of kids on the back burner or—”
“I told him I would stay with him even if we didn’t have kids,” I pipe in.
Max points at me. “There… that’s how you handle things by compromising or waiting for things to clear, so why ask you for a divorce?”
“He’s got someone on the side,” Lucas snarls. “I bet—”
“No, he doesn’t,” I say with a glare that has him snapping his mouth shut. “Van loves me, but in his mind, I deserve to have children. He thinks by letting me go, he’s giving me my best shot at happiness. That I’ll have a more fulfilled life without him.”
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” Malik mutters.
“It’s not,” I say sadly. “He and I talked the other day and I really listened to him. He’s not taking this lightly. He’s thought this out and he feels this is for the best. While I disagree with him, I can’t diminish his feelings.”
“I still say it’s stupid,” Malik says.
Lucas nods. “So stupid.”
I glance at Max. “What’s your take?”
“Stupid,” he concurs. “But I honestly think things will work out. I think Van is jammed up with emotions and can’t reason through this. I think you should leave him alone and go home. Let him figure this out because if you goad him into anything, you’ll never know if he wants a life with you.”
That gives me pause. I had an ace in the hole. I’d been considering telling Van I’m pregnant and I know that would force him back into a marriage with me. He’d do the honorable thing ultimately. But Max is right… would that really be enough? If he was forced to do it?
I can’t do that to him. I can’t do that to myself. I’m going to keep the pregnancy a secret for a while and I’ll just have to see what Van decides to do.
I’m suddenly more than exhausted. I stretch my legs and scoot off the couch. “I’m really going to bed now.”
When I stand, I walk around the room and give each of my brother’s a hug, telling them I love them. They reciprocate, as they always do. We Fourniers love each other fiercely.
When I reach the staircase, I look back to find them all staring at me with tender expressions. My gaze stays on Max. “You think Van will come through on this?”
“I do,” he says.
For the first time since I arrived in Pittsburgh, a tiny flicker of hope burns in the center of my chest. I’m not going to fan it to flame just yet, but it’s enough to tide me over for a while.
CHAPTER 16
Van
I’m not sure if this is a good idea, but I’m committed now. I follow Boone and Drake into the UPMC Children’s Hospital, a photographer and two Titans’ staff members right behind us. We’re here to visit the inpatient kids to dole out jerseys and signed sticks in an effort to brighten their day.
Boone set this up and I was surprised to learn that he visits the hospital a lot in his free time. He approached Brienne about having the Titans sponsor visits and publicize it to help raise money to offset the cost of medical expenses some families can’t afford.
It’s a fucking brilliant idea but not something I would’ve necessarily done on my own had he not invited me. It’s better than sitting in my hotel room today, moping about my broken marriage and my serial killer father.
Boone is arranging for all of our teammates to take turns with him but I got the first invite and Drake pulled rank, being the fiancé of the team owner, and got in on today’s visit.
We’re greeted by some hospital executive whose name I didn’t catch and we pose for pictures in the lobby. Then Boone leads us to the elevator and stops on the fourth floor. Today’s agenda includes the oncology ward and honestly, I’m a bit terrified to see kids with cancer. I’m sensitive to the idea of children, anyway, but visiting those in pain or potentially dying has got my stomach tight with anxiety.
Boone seems at ease, though, waving to nurses and doctors we pass, and then he’s entering the first room.
“Aiden, my man.” Boone’s voice is affectionate and as I follow him in, I see a boy sitting up cross-legged in his bed. He’s bald and thin except for his face, which looks slightly swollen. He’s hooked up to an IV and is extremely pale with dark circles under his eyes.
His face lights up when he sees Boone though. Drake and I hang back near the door as Boone offers his hand to the kid and they do a half handshake, half hug as Boone bends over the bed. When he pulls back, he turns and points at us. “Brought some friends.”