The Pickup (Imperfect Love 1)

“This is all about that flighty waitress?” my mom asks. “She was a waste of your time.”

“That flighty waitress? She was in dance school. Holy shit! Can you be any more stuck up and judgmental? Do you not remember that you used to live in a trailer park?” I point to my dad. “Until he got you out! I loved her and was going to marry her. But she left me!” My voice booms. “She left me because she said it would be a goddamn nightmare to have a family with me because I put you guys first!”

“Stop!” Celeste yells, and everyone turns their attention to her. “I’m not going to let you believe that.”

“Celeste, don’t,” my mom hisses.

“No, it’s enough. Look, Nick, that woman you loved. She didn’t leave you because you put your parents first. She left you because—”

“Celeste!” my mom yells.

“Your mom paid her off. She gave her five hundred thousand dollars to walk away.”

My head jerks to my mom. “Is she for real?”

“I did it for you. She didn’t love you! She wanted you to quit playing and start a family. And then you got injured. I knew if she had it her way, you would never play again.”

“Are you out of your mind? You didn’t do it for me!” I nod toward my dad. “You did it for him and for you. So he could keep making money off me and you could continue to brag about your NFL player son! That’s all I am to you people!” I shake my head then turn to Celeste. “And where do you fit into all this?”

“I didn’t know, Nick. I’ve always been upfront with you. She just told me this last night at the party.”

“So, this entire time, I thought she left because she no longer loved me, but it was because she was paid off.”

“You know what, Nick? Your mom might’ve paid her off, but Fiona took the money.” Celeste puts her hand on my arm. “You chose love, and she chose money. You walked away heartbroken, and she walked away hundreds of thousands of dollars richer. I told you years ago, the world revolves around money, not love.”

“Maybe so, but in my experience, money destroys the world. I’ll take love over money any damn day.” And that’s without truly experiencing it firsthand.

“Nick, stop being dramatic,” my dad says.

“Did you have anything to do with all this?” I ask him.

“No, I didn’t. It was all your mother. But let’s be real. Had she stayed, you wouldn’t be playing. So, I have to say I think she did what was in your best interest at the time.” He pulls the papers out of the envelope. “I need to get going. I need to talk to you about a possible new contract at the end of the season, but it can wait. I just need you to sign these papers.” He hands me a pen, and I quickly sign them.

When I hand him back the pen and papers, he heads toward the door, my mom following on his heels. As he opens the door, I call out my mom’s name. “Let me tell you something. Olivia is my son’s mother, and she’ll be around in some shape or form for the rest of my life. If you try to mess with her in any way, I’ll make sure your status and reputation are the least of your concerns.”

“Nicholas!” my mom cries, “are you threatening me?” It’s the first time I’ve ever seen tears actually appear from her.

“No, Mom. It’s a goddamn promise. Either you accept Olivia and Reed or you’re dead to me.”

Once my parents are out the door and it’s closed, Celeste says, “I have to leave, but when I get back, I’ll move my stuff out.”

“You don’t have to leave right away. If you need time to find a place, it’s okay.”

She comes over and hugs me. “I appreciate that, Nick, but it’s time. You’re my best friend and I’m not about to lose you because of my issues. I’m sorry for asking you to own up to that pact.”

“You didn’t make me do anything. But you know…” I laugh, thinking about the other half of the pact. “I really do think there’s a good chance Olivia could be the one.”

Celeste rolls her eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”

“And I met her before I turned thirty.”

“Okay…”

“So, if we end up falling in love, technically that would mean you would have to pay up.”

“What are you talking about, Nick?”

“We agreed…if I found love before thirty, you would do the same.”

Celeste suddenly looks crestfallen. Her eyes go glossy and she averts her gaze away from me. She clears her throat and swipes away the tears. “Sorry, there’s something in my eye.”

“Yeah, you’ve had a lot of somethings in your eye lately,” I say. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”