“Just protecting him,” Sullivan said, knowing he wouldn’t need to say more. John knew every aspect of Sullivan’s life, more than anyone else since he had worked his case. He’d seen every bruise, every stitch.
Once John swallowed his toast, he wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Listen, Sullivan, you know I’ve never been good at beating around the bush, so let’s get to it.” He leaned forward, setting his arms beside his plate. “You’re a damn good ballplayer. Your mother would be immensely proud of all that you’ve accomplished, but there is more to life than playing ball. It looks like you’re finally seeing that. You’ve got far more of your mother’s loving nature in you than your father’s hot temper, and you’ll make an incredible father to Mason. Just have to get out of your head and believe it, is all.”
Sullivan snorted a laugh. “That simple, huh?”
“Life typically is that simple when you are your worst enemy,” John said.
“I suppose that’s true,” Sullivan agreed. John had been the solid ground in Sullivan’s life when he needed that. He’d been the shoulder to lean on and the listener when he needed that too. “You know, I never thanked you for what you did for me.”
John set the fork he’d picked up back down. “You never needed to thank me, Sullivan. Nothing makes me happier than seeing you doing well.” And obviously done with getting the thank you he deserved, he said, “Now let’s talk sports.”
By the time they parted ways, Sullivan’s head swarmed with thoughts. The plan had always been to come home, face the shit he’d been running from, and get his head together. But he was more confused than ever. Because what he’d been running from, now looked perfect, and he didn’t want to leave. He had friends in River Rock, chosen family. He had Clara and Mason. So, when Sullivan arrived for his therapy appointment, he suspected the doctor would see right through him.
Elizabeth looked as buttoned-up as always. She sat across from him, light spilling in from the window off to her right. “Let’s talk about your suspension. Has this happened before?”
He shook his head. “The press follows me more now. It’s not an ideal situation since my actions are caught on camera. That’s all this was. A few too many drinks met with an arrogant prick who pushed his girlfriend and deserved a shot in the face.”
Elizabeth made a note then raised her brows at him. “It doesn’t sound like you deserved a suspension for that.”
He leaned back in the comfortable couch, crossing his ankle over his knee. “Sometimes, it’s easier to take the punishment than deal with a long, draw
n-out investigation. They had me on tape, hitting the guy. The coach recommended I take the month off. I’d stirred up enough shit that I just took the suspension.”
She made another note. “Why is the press following you more now?”
He noted how she asked questions without judgment, and he liked it. “I had a good year playing, matched with a couple high-profile women in my life.” One was an actress. The other a singer. “Apparently, I’m good for gaining readership on social media, so they’ve upped their invasion of my life.”
“I did read an article after the altercation,” Elizabeth said. “It didn’t paint you in the best light.”
“Of course it didn’t,” Sullivan countered. “Rags never do. But the damage was done, and the coach couldn’t overlook it, nor could the owner of the team. I’m a role model for kids, whether I like it or not, and I displayed bad sportsman-like behavior.”
She made another note before looking back up at him. “You didn’t mind the punishment, then?”
“Of course I minded it,” he countered. “But I understood it. They had to make an example of me. I didn’t realize the paparazzi had gotten so close. Now I know. It won’t happen again. Besides, things are different now.”
“Why is that?”
He paused to consider how he should explain this. “I found out I have a son.”
She froze, statue-still. “Here, in River Rock?”
He nodded then answered her unasked questions. “No, I didn’t know about him, and no, I’m not upset my ex didn’t tell me. I walked out on her, a complete mess of a man, and didn’t answer her call when she tried to tell me about our son. If I were in her spot, I would have done the same damn thing. She protected her child; I won’t ever fault her for that.”
Elizabeth studied him. Sullivan got the impression his response surprised her.
“So, you have a son,” she eventually said. “That must have been quite a shock.”
“Definitely,” Sullivan admitted. “But it’s a good shock. He’s a cool kid.”
Elizabeth made another note, and Sullivan would have paid a lot of money to read that paper as Elizabeth asked, “Does your son know you’re his father?”
“Yes, we told him last week.”
She looked up from her notepad. “You and your ex told him?”
“That’s right.”
Elizabeth set her pen down on the notepad. “So, you and your son’s mother are talking again?”