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  “That’s good, man. No regrets. Maybe I’ll have to think about that. Anyway, see you out there.”

  “Yes, see you out there.” Emmitt gave his body a final once over to make sure he was geared up and in regulations. Then he sat down on the bench to pray. It was something he did before every practice and every game. Though injuries were rare, when they did happen, they were usually series-ending and sometimes worse. So, he always prayed for safety for everyone on the team, and now, knowing he had a son, his safety was more important than ever before.

  When he finished his prayer, he headed out onto the field for practice. There was a special peace that filled him when he was out on the field. Maybe it was the bigness of the stadium. Maybe it was the lights. Maybe it was the camaraderie with his teammates. Whatever it was, he enjoyed the time.

  Mia smiled at Kris as they finished painting the family room. Kris and Anton had arrived before Emmitt left for practice, and because Carter was still sleeping, Anton had offered to stay with him while Mia got to work.

  “It’s looking really good,” Mia said as she surveyed the walls. So far, all they had done was paint, but the room already looked better, more complete. “I’d like to purchase some pillows and wall art. Do you think Anton will be okay with Carter for a little longer?”

  “He will be fine,” Kris said with a laugh. “This is like his dream—getting to play video games with a kid all day. I never play video games with him, but maybe I should.”

  “Do you think marriage is in your future?” Mia asked.

  “I hope so. Seeing your son just makes me want kids even more.” Kris pulled on her jacket and grabbed her keys.

  Mia grabbed her jacket and purse from the table and followed Kris to the car. “Kids are amazing. Trying sometimes but amazing nonetheless. Even with everything going on, I wouldn’t trade him for the world. Speaking of which, can we stop by a toy store as well? I’d like to pick up a few gifts for him.”

  “Of course,” Kris said. “I bet Christmas is even more fun with kids.”

  Mia didn’t tell her that the fun depended on your financial situation. Not that she needed to be wealthy, but it broke her heart when she couldn’t even afford new clothes for Carter for Christmas, much less a toy that he might like. This year though, she was determined to get him something special with the advance Emmitt had given her. It would make it that much harder to pay the medical bills, but it would be worth it to see a smile on his face.

  Carter was awake and playing games with Anton when Mia and Kris returned a few hours later.

  “How are you feeling, buddy?” Mia asked as she set down her bags to give him a hug.

  “Much better, Momma. I slept a lot, huh?” Though his voice was chipper, dark circles still ringed his eyes.

  “You did, but Dr. Goodwin warned us you might. Did you get some food?” He had barely eaten anything after the treatment yesterday, and she worried he would get too skinny if he didn’t eat more.

  “Yeah, Anton made me the best mac n cheese before we started playing. You should have him teach you how.”

  Mia chuckled as she ruffled his hair. “I’ll get right on that, dude. After I finish wrapping your Christmas gift. Unless you’d rather me spend the time learning how to make mac n cheese.”

  Carter’s eyes lit up. “Is Christmas tomorrow?”

  “No, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, but if you feel up to it, Mr. Emmitt has invited us to his game tomorrow night, and then we can open presents the next day.”

  “Yeah, I want to watch Mr. Emmitt play.” He turned to Anton. “Will you be there too?”

  Anton looked back to Kris, who nodded. “Yeah, buddy. Kris and I will be there too.”

  “All right, it’s settled then,” Mia said with a laugh. It felt good to laugh and see her son smile.

  Chapter 16

  Mia’s jaw dropped as Emmitt led them into the luxury box. She’d always thought it was just seats behind a pane of glass in the middle of the field, but she’d been so wrong. There were chairs that sat near the glass, but there was also a wall of big screen TVs, couches and other plush chairs, a fully stocked bar, and a private bathroom.

  “Wow, I understand the name now,” Mia said as her eyes scanned the room.

  “I’m glad you were able to come,” Emmitt said, squeezing her hand. “I’ve often thought about having you watch the game from up here.”

  Mia flashed a teasing smile his direction. “Oh, you have, have you?”

  “We get to watch the game from here?” Carter asked, interrupting the moment.

  “You do, bud. I have to get down to the field to warm up soon, but Anton and Kris should be here shortly. Plus, there’s a catering crew that works the game. You just let them know if you need anything.”

  Carter’s eyes grew wide. “Anything?”

  Emmitt chuckled. “Well, anything food or drink wise. They aren’t Santa Claus, but he’ll be coming tonight.” He flashed a wink at Carter before turning to Mia again.

  She could see that he wanted to kiss her, but she hadn’t told Carter about them yet. Mia was fairly certain he wouldn’t mind, but it was still something she wanted to discuss with him before he saw them kiss. So, she pulled him in for a hug instead and whispered in his ear, “I’ll have a kiss for you after you win.”

  “You better,” he returned, tickling her ear with his breath. “I’ll see you guys after the game.”

  And then he was gone, and Mia and Carter were alone, but not for long. Soon, other people started filling the room. Mia felt completely out of her element as women dressed much nicer than her entered the room. She had worn her best skirt and shirt ensemble, but some of these women appeared more ready for a theater performance than a football game. Some appeared to know each other, but others shared her nervous expression. She wondered if they were other players’ girlfriends or wives. Perhaps one day, she would get to know them, but for now she hoped Kris arrived soon so that she would at least have a friend to talk to.

  “Mom, let’s sit up here by the glass so we can see Mr. Emmitt,” Carter called as he hobbled toward the chairs closest to the glass. He climbed up in one chair and Mia took the one next to him. Kris and Anton slid in next to her just before the game began.

  “Sorry, we hit traffic,” Kris whispered. “Did we miss the kickoff?”

  Mia shook her head. She didn’t think so, but she hadn’t really watched football since Emmitt left.

  “Which one is Mr. Emmitt?” Carter asked, squirming in his chair.

  “He’s number seventy-eight,” Anton answered, “but I don’t see him yet. Oh, wait, there he is.”

  Mia followed Anton’s finger and after a moment, she was able to pick out number seventy-eight. She smiled with pride as she watched him tackle an opposing player. He really did look powerful and at home out on the field.

  The game progressed quickly after that, and by halftime, the Rebels were ahead but not by much, and anxiety coursed through Mia. Emmitt had told her they needed to win this game in order to make it to the championship game.

  “I’m going to get something from the caterers. Can you stay here with Kris and Anton?” she asked Carter.

  “Sure, this is fun.” He had barely looked away from the field the whole first half. Mia had the sneaking suspicion that if he recovered from the osteosarcoma that she would have a football player on her hands in the next few years.

  She made her way over to the bar and snagged one of the menus. As she scanned the offerings, the conversation from two women a few feet away carried over to her.

  “They’re playing much better,” one woman said.

  “They sure are. I bet it’s because of their pact.”

  “Pact? What pact?”

  “Austin said the defensive linemen made a ‘no-regrets’ pact before the break. They were all to go make amends for their biggest regret. Maybe it cleared their heads and helped them to focus.”

  Mia looked over at the two women. One was blonde, the other brunette. They didn’t a
ppear upset by this so-called pact, but anger coursed through her. Was that the only reason Emmitt had come to Kempton? Was it not to apologize and seek forgiveness but to clear his head so he could play better? Was she simply a box to check off so they could win this game?

  “Did you need something?” one of the caterers asked as he approached her.

  “No, I don’t think I’m hungry any longer,” Mia said. She returned the menu to the counter and walked back to the chairs, but she suddenly had no desire to watch the rest of the game.

  “What’s wrong?” Kris asked, as if sensing her mood.

  Mia shook her head. She couldn’t believe she had fallen for Emmitt’s act again, but she didn’t trust herself to speak. At least, not yet.

  Emmitt couldn’t contain his smile as he headed up to the box to get Mia and Carter. Having them there had spurred him to play his best game ever, and he couldn’t wait to hear what they thought.

  “You did it, Mr. Emmitt,” Carter said as soon as he saw him. “I watched the whole game.”

  Emmitt held his hand up for a high five from the boy—his son. Now that he knew, he could see his features in Carter’s face—his eyes for sure. He wondered how he didn’t see them at first. “You did? That’s awesome. I think I played better because you were watching.”

  “Hmph,” Mia said as Carter smacked his hand.

  Emmitt turned to her, prepared to flash a smile, but it died on his face. Mia’s expression was grim, and he wondered what had happened. Had someone been rude to her? He didn’t know all the people who used the luxury box, but he thought most of them were nice.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked her and reached for her hand.

  “Fine. Let’s just go home.” Her words were short and she moved her hand out of his reach. Something had definitely happened, but the question was what?

  “Okay, let me just say goodbye to Anton and Kris.” He looked around for them but neither were in sight. Had something happened between them then?

  “They’ve already gone. Said they had something they had to do tonight.”

  Right. It was eight o’clock on Christmas Eve. They had probably had plans with his parents. Emmitt was pretty sure Anton’s folks celebrated Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. “All right then. I’m ready.”

  Mia nodded and walked past him. The ice she left in her wake chilled him to the bone. Trying not to worry, he took Carter’s hand and helped him hobble back out to the car. Though Carter prattled on most of the ride home, the mood in the front remained tense. Emmitt knew he would have to get Mia alone to pry the answer out of her. And he would need to do it soon or the gift he had bought to give her tomorrow would have zero meaning.

  “Can I help you put Carter to bed?” Emmitt asked when they arrived back at the guesthouse.

  “I think we’ll be fine,” she said, stepping out of the vehicle before he could open the door for her.

  “I want Mr. Emmitt to read to me tonight,” Carter said from the back seat.

  “Fine. I’ll get you ready and he can read to you.”

  Emmitt felt like a third wheel as he watched Mia get Carter ready for bed. It was clear she wanted nothing to do with him, but he had no idea why. When Carter was in his pajamas, Mia kissed him and then sailed out of the room without even a side glance at Emmitt.

  “Okay, buddy, what do you want to read?” Emmitt asked as he looked around at the few books. He would have to get Carter more books. He wanted his son to be the reader he never was.

  “The Cat in the Hat,” Carter said with a yawn.

  Emmitt opened the book and began reading the famous story. Before he was halfway through, Carter’s eyes were closed and his chest rose and fell. Though Emmitt could have watched him sleep all night, he knew he had to find out what was bothering Mia first. He laid the book on the floor and then walked softly out of the room.

  “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” Emmitt asked as he approached Mia.

  Anger flashed in her eyes as she folded her arms across her chest. “Were you going to tell me about the pact?”

  “Pact?” For a moment he was confused.

  “Yeah, the pact. The ‘no regrets pact’ you guys made so you could clear your heads and win your last two games?” She made angry air quotes with her fingers as she said the words “no regrets.”

  “That wasn’t what it was about,” Emmitt said.

  “Oh really? Why don’t you tell me what it was about then?” She leaned against the counter and fixed him with an icy stare.

  “It was about Terry. When he died, it affected all of us—perhaps DJ the most. Terry had always lived life to the fullest, so DJ wanted to do something in honor of him. He decided he would go home and fix the biggest regret of his past, and he challenged us to do the same.”

  “So I was a challenge? I can’t believe I fell for you again.”

  Emmitt let out a frustrated breath. She had this all wrong, but he was afraid he wasn’t explaining it well at all. “You weren’t the challenge. The challenge was simply the push I needed to make the trip. I’d wanted to apologize to you for years, but I had no idea how.”

  “So what you’re saying is that if it hadn’t been for the pact, you still wouldn’t have had the courage to apologize to me.”

  “I don’t…” Emmitt fumbled over his words. He didn’t understand why she was so angry. “Why does it matter what brought us back together?”

  “It matters because I needed it to be me. I needed to know you were with me because you wanted to be and not because the guys convinced you to apologize to me.”

  “Is that why you didn’t tell me Carter was my son?” The words came out before Emmitt could stop them. He had said he would wait for her to tell him, but it was too late now. “Because you wanted to make sure I was with you for you and not because I felt cornered?”

  Her eyes widened. “When did you…?”

  “Yesterday morning. When the doctor asked him his birthdate at the hospital, it stuck with me, but I couldn’t figure out why. Then yesterday I woke up with this crazy idea that a February birthday might make conception really close to April. I googled it to be sure and figured he was either my child or you were with Marcus right after we were together. I couldn’t fathom that possibility, and the more I looked at Carter, the more I realized. He has my eyes and my dimple.”

  Suddenly the fire left Mia and she sagged against the counter. “I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner. It all happened so quickly. You left without a word and then I found out I was pregnant. I met Marcus shortly after that, and though he knew I still loved you and was pregnant with your child, he offered to marry me and raise Carter as his own. I couldn’t say no.”

  Emmitt crossed the space between them and pulled her into his arms. “Mia, you did what you thought was right. I don’t blame you. We both made mistakes back then, but we don’t have to keep making them now.” He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and cupped her chin so her eyes were locked on his. “Should I have come to apologize sooner? Yes, but I’m glad the pact spurred me to find you. Should you have told me five years ago you were pregnant? Yes, but I understand why you didn’t.”

  “You’re not angry?” she asked in a small voice.

  “I am a little angry but not at you. I’m angry at myself. Angry that I left the way I did and that I didn’t reach out to you sooner, but even more than that, I’m sad. Sad that I missed the first four years of Carter’s life. I don’t want to miss any more. I don’t want to spend one more day without the two of you in my life. Please, tell me you can forgive me.”

  Tears spilled down Mia’s face and she nodded. That was all the confirmation Emmitt needed. He pulled Mia to him and placed his lips on hers. That kiss said more than words ever could anyway. It asked forgiveness, it accepted apologies, and it healed the last five years.

  When they pulled back, he looked down at her. “What do you say we wrap some presents for our son?” he asked as he wiped the wet sheen from Mia’s cheek. She smi
led and nodded, and Emmitt knew this would be his best Christmas ever.

  Chapter 17

  Christmas morning dawned early for Mia, but she didn’t mind. For the first time in months, she was actually looking forward to Christmas. She and Emmitt had wrapped the gifts for Carter the night before and though it was more than he usually received, Mia was thankful Emmitt hadn’t gone crazy. She didn’t want Carter equating money with gifts.

  “Momma, let’s go open presents,” Carter said again from the side of her bed. This time he added an arm shake.

  “Okay, buddy, just give me a second to get my eyes open.” She yawned and blinked a few times, but finally she was able to keep her eyes on him.

  “Let’s go, Momma.”

  With a laugh, Mia pushed back the cover and stepped out of bed. She hoped her hair wasn’t too much of a mess because she didn’t think Carter was going to give her time to brush it or her teeth for that matter. Grabbing her robe as they left her room, she shrugged into it as they walked down the hallway.

  The crisp morning air greeted them as they opened the front door, but thankfully, there was no snow on the ground. Not that it snowed often on Christmas Day in Texas, but it had happened in the past.

  “Look, Momma, smoke,” Carter said as he blew out a cloud.

  “Yep, that means it’s cold. Let’s get inside before you freeze.”

  Mia hoped the sliding glass door would be open. She had forgotten to warn Emmitt how early kids got up on Christmas, but the door slid open.

  “Emmitt might not be up yet, bud,” she warned Carter as they walked toward the living room.

  “Does that mean we’ll have to wait to open presents?” he asked.

  “It does, but I’ll bet you’ll have a stocking to check out.” In fact, they had filled the stocking with books, small toys, and candy. Hopefully it would entertain him until Emmitt woke.