Second Chance Vow

“Jax…”

“Fine, but just remember you made me say it.”

“Jesus, what?”

“They couldn’t have a baby.”

I grimaced.

“See? What did I tell you? This is why I didn’t want to mention it.”

I had to know. “How long did they try for?”

“Years, like you guys. Except she did all the fertility treatments, and he said it made their marriage worse. She was in the worst moods, and they had scheduled sex, blaming each other every month the test came back negative. Kinley, they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to conceive and, in the end, all it did was ruin their marriage.”

“So what are you trying to say? It’s the same for us?”

“I’m not saying shit. You’re talking to a guy who’s never even had a girlfriend. I’m the last person you need to be asking advice from.”

“I think he blames me. Actually, I know he does.”

I didn’t have to express the words. Jax knew what I was referring to.

“Kinley, you didn’t know what was going to happen that night.”

“How could I not? You did. Christian did. I didn’t listen to either of you, and look what happened.”

He shrugged. “We all make mistakes.”

“I should have listened. If I had, we wouldn’t be getting a divorce right now.”

“You don’t know that.”

“You just said that your teammate—”

“I know what I said, but what the fuck do I know? I don’t go past the first date.”

“He wants a family, Jax, and I can’t give him one.”

“Once again, you don’t know that. Your husband is a pussy doctor. Just let him check you already. You worrying and blaming yourself isn’t going to help your situation. Put your mind at ease. At least for the future.”

“I don’t need a doctor to tell me what I know. Besides, I already—”

“That was over ten years ago, Kinley. Medicine has come a long way since then.”

“It’s not going to change anything.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it. You guys still love each other, anyone could see that.”

“Sometimes love isn’t enough.”

“I don’t fucking like him, I’ve never liked him, but at one point, he made you really happy, and it was all that mattered to me. I hate seeing you like this, and it’s only going to get worse once you sign those fucking papers.”

“I’m fully aware you don’t like him. I had to practically beg you to come to our wedding, remember?”

“It was during the season. You know football always comes first.”

“Speaking of that. What are you doing here? You’re still in season.”

“I’m catching the redeye back.” He winked. “My girl needed me, so I’m here. Football may come first in my life, but you come a close second.”

“I’ll remember that the next time I’m begging you to do something you don’t want to.”

“You’re getting a divorce. There’s no reason to beg me for anything anymore.”

I sighed, changing the subject. “So who’s the flavor of the week?”

“It’s football season. You know I don’t fuck during the season.”

“You’re still doing that?”

“Makes me play better.”

“Right … all that pent-up aggression, Mr. All-Star. Are you going to win the Super Bowl yet again?”

“I wouldn’t be Jax Colton if I didn’t.”

“You don’t sound very excited about that. You’re a free agent in two years, and I say you come play for Dallas.”

“We’re back to this?”

“Yes! You can play for your state. Can you imagine the press? They’d have a field day, and people would eat that shit up. Your fanbase would grow by the millions.”

“I don’t need any more people kissing my ass, Kinley.”

“I know.”

“And I could do less with the press these days. Most of the time, I want to break their fucking cameras.”

“Yeah, they’re getting worse. I can’t believe how they hound you. You’re all over the gossip shows and magazines.”

“Fuck that gossip bullshit. Do you have any idea how many lawsuits I have with them? The shit they make up on a daily basis for views and sales. I practically pay their bills.”

“Well, maybe if you wouldn’t sleep around with every model within a five-mile radius they wouldn’t have anything to report on you.”

He grinned. “More like every one-mile radius, but who’s counting?”

“Obviously you.”

He laughed. “For someone who’s getting a divorce, you’re very fucking chipper.”

“My best friend is in town. Of course, I’m chipper. I haven’t seen you in months. I miss you, and for completely selfish reasons I’d love for you to move back to Dallas.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Good.” I smiled. “How’re your parents?”

“My mom still asks for money every chance she gets, and my dad sells bullshit stories that never happened to the press. Other than that, they’re peachy-fucking-keen.”

“I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”

“I’m sorry you have to deal with Christian. Is there anything I can do? You want me to kick his ass? ’Cause you know I’d love to. I’ve been wanting to fuck him up since your seventeenth birthday when he sucker punched me.”