She halts her words with a wide-eyed look in her eyes. “Oops. Sorry, Emmy. You said to keep that under wraps until it was time to announce to everyone, but I figured since she’s your sister, she’d want to know that he bought the store.”
Jane blinks. “Wait a minute. Graham bought the store.” She glances at me, searching my face for answers.
Why does my sister have to be so tenacious?
“The sale goes through next week.”
Babs nods. “Yep. He bought it for Emmy.”
“Did he?” Jane murmurs, watching my face.
“Can you give us a minute, Babs?” I say, and she tells me yes and then heads back out into the store.
As soon as the door shuts, Jane turns to me. “Are you marrying Graham because he’s buying the store? What is going on?”
I exhale, my mind churning with how to lie to her.
“Charlotte would tell Wilbur if she needed help. I’m here, Emmy. Let me shoulder this . . . whatever it is with you. Please. Please. I can’t take the worry inside of me. I know something is wrong.”
I rub my face with both hands and groan. “Sit down. I’ll explain everything.”
Chapter 12
GRAHAM
Fresh from a shower, I walk out of practice, and the evening air feels good to my wet head. Our strength coach complained about my conditioning this morning and made it his top priority. I nearly threw up while running the stadium steps before he was satisfied.
I’m pulling out my keys to unlock my Range Rover when I look up and see someone lingering in my peripheral.
Still wearing a suit, he’s obviously come from the office. I notice his Mercedes in the lot a few spaces over. I pop the back door open and toss in my duffel bag. “Hey, Dad.”
He nods, tucking his hands into his slacks. In his early sixties with dark graying hair, he’s tall and built like me. “Hello.” He offers a small smile, his granite face solemn. “Sorry to track you down like this. I tried to call, but you didn’t pick up. As usual.”
“Guess you saw the engagement announcement,” I say as I lean against the car and cross my arms.
He moves to stand in front of me. “Yes. Congratulations. I can’t wait to meet her.”
He does sound eager, almost hopeful, but I shove any feelings away that that might give me. “We’re doing a civil ceremony. Nothing fancy.”
“Will I be invited?”
“No.”
He takes that in stride as if he expected it and looks away, hiding his expression. “I called you on your birthday, too, but you never called back. I wanted to take you to dinner.”
My thirtieth was two weeks ago, and usually I do have dinner with him, but with everything going on, there wasn’t time. “Sorry. I’ve been busy with getting back in shape for the season. Jasper threw me a party at his place. Nothing big.” Jasper and a few other guys from the team came over.
He swallows. “Your mom always made you a German chocolate cake.”
My lips tighten. I refuse to acknowledge him when he brings her up.
He fidgets. “There are some things we should discuss.”
I check my watch. “I really don’t have time right now.”
“Please.”
I stare at my father for a long time. He’s a man who rarely offers compromise. I exhale and say, “Two minutes, all right?”
He straightens his back, a tough expression slipping into place as I watch him transition into lawyer mode. “You can’t play football—”
I throw my hands up. “Forget your two minutes. I don’t have time for this.”
He inches closer. “Sorry, sorry. That was the wrong way to start.” His shoulders drop a little as he rubs his temple. “Please, I just worry about you. You have nothing to win and everything to lose by playing. I’m worried that if I don’t say something to you now . . . I just . . . I don’t want to miss the opportunity to speak. We talked in the hospital, but I’ve barely seen you since then.”
My jaw tics. He was at the hospital. According to Brody, he only left to shower every other day.
“I’m doing great. My scans are great. My life is great. I’ve even seen a specialist. Don’t worry.”
His hands clench. “They had to restart your heart. Do you realize how terrifying that was for me?”
“First of all, I’m healthy. The team doctors say there’s no reason not to play, and their concern has more credibility than yours. I’m sorry if my injury caused you stress. In the future, stop watching the games.”