Dare to Desire (Dare to Love 2)

Alex shrugged. “Even if I lived here full time, she’s got other issues that need to be worked out. As for east or west…”

He shrugged. “Testing in New York this week. I’ll find out more then. I don’t think the move is something she’s even considering as the problem. I’d assume it’s a part-time gig anyway. Just during the season. At the very least, I could commute. Hell, if it meant full time, I don’t think I’d take it. Believe it or not, I like being nearby the family.”

“I suppose they all can grow on you,” Ian conceded.

Alex shook his head at his brother’s attitude. This was Ian softening, he thought wryly, and spun his drink between his palms. “Look, I don’t want you to think I’m taking my current job lightly. I wouldn’t bail on you or leave you and Madison in a lurch.”

“I know that,” Ian said, surprising Alex.

“You do?”

Ian leveled him with a long stare that reminded Alex of their father at his sternest. “Do you really think I hired you just because Riley begged me to?” The edge of his mouth curled up in a smirk.

“That’s a trick question. On the one hand, yeah. She’s got you wrapped.” He raised his middle finger and wiggled it around.

“Nice,” Ian muttered.

“On the other hand, no. You’re a shrewd businessman. You do what you think is best for the company.”

Ian lifted his drink in agreement.

“However, you do like to keep your woman happy.”

“I hired you because I knew your work ethic from watching you with the Breakers. I know if you leave, you’ll make sure things here are smooth first.”

“So you wouldn’t hold it against me?” He leaned against the polished wood counter.

Ian shook his head. “I wouldn’t begrudge you an opportunity. I’m not that big of an ass. But I did want to discuss the PR campaign you shot down so quickly.”

Alex’s cheeks burned at the mention of the embarrassing photograph and billboard. “Tell me you’d let them plaster you all over at your lowest, weakest point?”

Ian drummed his fingers on the counter. “I think I’d look at it from a different angle. Or maybe I’d need someone to tell me to do it.”

Alex gestured for another drink. “I’m listening.”

“You’re a known name. People liked watching you play. They recognize your talent.”

Alex stared, having a hard time reconciling the man shooting him compliments with the one who couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge him a short while ago.

“Anyone with half a brain knows it took guts to walk away before you became a vegetable or paraplegic from another hit to the head or the wrong vertebra.”

A wave of nausea overtook him with the blunt description of the choice he’d faced.

“My point is,” Ian went on, unaware, “parents and kids look up to you.”

Alex’s mind immediately went to Jake in the wheelchair.

“I believe you can change lives by allowing people to see you then and now. So what if you were knocked down? You got back up, right?” Ian shrugged and slugged down the end of his drink.

“I get it but—”

“I heard how you charmed the kid in the hotel,” Ian said. “Madison told Riley you called your publicist and had them send you a picture and a jersey with your number on it so you could personally sign and send them to a teenager in a wheelchair.”

Alex swallowed hard and looked away. He didn’t do those things for acknowledgment.

“Imagine the good you can do for other players and injured kids whose coaches are pressuring them to play or to sign pro before they graduate college. You’re a role model, if you want to be.” Ian slammed his glass on the table. “By the way, nobody said it’s full time or nothing on our end. Let me know if you want to take the TV gig, and we can make this work too.”

“I don’t know what to say.” This wasn’t the Ian Dare that Alex hadn’t gotten to know for all those years. This was a different man. One who was treating him with respect. Almost like a family member.