Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 108124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Levi
Two Years Later
I sat across from my brother and Alex at Iggy’s as we finished up our fried chicken dinner. Fake it ’til you make it. They say if you want something bad enough, pretend it’s already happening until one day the dream becomes a reality.
The situation with Tanner and me was far from totally repaired, but we were a work in progress and had come a long way. From the moment I’d told him I’d fallen in love with Presley, I was determined to work toward fixing things, even if it took a lifetime. I knew I’d broken his trust, and it was my responsibility to make things right. As much as Tanner had hurt Presley, he would always be my baby brother. I would always love him—flaws and all.
Some time ago, Tanner and I had agreed to a once-a-month meetup at Iggy’s. Alex had dubbed it The Miller Men Monthly. Except it wasn’t just the three of us Miller Men now. There was a fourth Miller—two older Miller brothers and two younger ones. Baby Eli was a year-and-a-half. He sat in his highchair at the end of the table, munching on puff snacks while the rest of us ate.
“How’s Presley?” my brother asked.
“She’s good. The inn’s been keeping her busy. She says hello. She’s really happy we started doing this every month.”
Tanner turned to Alex. “Yeah. The Miller Men Monthly was a good idea, son.”
Alex shrugged as he popped a French fry into his mouth. “I know.”
“When do you fly out next?” Tanner asked.
“Not for a couple of weeks. The next two games are at home.”
My brother chewed. “Oh, nice.”
I’d started playing this season for the Carolina Panthers. Games and practices were a few hours away in North Carolina, but it was a hell of a lot better than before and allowed me more time at home, even if it meant lots of long drives down I-77. While leaving the Broncos was one of the most difficult decisions I’d ever made, I had to do it. There was no way I wanted to be away from my family that much—especially now.
“I’m sure Presley is relieved that you’re not in Denver anymore,” he said.
“Yeah. That would never have worked long term.”
My brother nodded.
I never quite knew what he was thinking when he mentioned her name. The ironic thing about our situation? It was a woman predicament that had torn Tanner and me apart, and it was a woman predicament that had brought us together again. I’d never forget that night. A few months after Tanner and I had our blowout in Denver, Presley and I had been hanging out at The Palm during one of my quick trips home in between games. Tanner had called my cell phone for the first time since we’d stopped speaking. He’d asked if we could meet up to talk.
I’d been certain he was going to use that opportunity to ream me out again for ruining his life, but the conversation turned out to have nothing to do with me. My brother had called because he was desperate for advice and needed a shoulder to lean on after receiving news that knocked the wind out of him.
Arielle, the woman he’d hooked up with back in Colorado, had called him out of the blue to tell him she’d gotten pregnant from their one night together. Tanner had been freaking out, and I’d done my best to calm him down and assure him that even the worst-case scenario—that the baby was indeed his—wouldn’t be the end of the world.
I’d promised him he’d grow to love the kid just as much as he loved Alex. He’d asked me not to tell anyone until he could confirm that her claim was legit. As much as it had been a nightmare, the fact that he’d turned to me in his darkest hour proved our bond was still there. That night had been a turning point.
Tanner ended up flying to Denver to arrange for a gestational paternity test, which confirmed that he was indeed the father of Arielle’s baby. He’d stayed with me at my house there during that trip, and also a few times after that—whenever he’d come to visit Arielle and accompany her to appointments. The following June, my nephew, Eli James Miller, was born. Even after months of mentally preparing, my brother still didn’t seem to know what had hit him. He’d moved to Beaufort to be closer to Alex, and now he had another son across the country to look after. It was the craziest twist of fate and proof of life’s unpredictability.
During one of his trips to see the baby, he and Arielle had decided to start dating to see where their relationship might go. It had started for the sake of their son, but over time, they fell for each other. Arielle agreed to move to South Carolina, which meant a lot to my brother. I couldn’t tell you whether Tanner would remain faithful to Arielle. He’d yet to pop the question. But I could only hope that at some point, he’d grow up and settle down for good without messing things up.