As if reading the avalanche of thoughts in my head, Will leans forward. “She doesn’t want you to change positions because of her. She wants it because she wants you to live up to your full potential. Just like you want her to live up to hers. People who love each other… that’s what they do. They see more in you than you see in yourself, and they push you toward it.”
I drag in a ragged breath and work to calm my chaotic thoughts.
I was always enough for her—but she wanted more for me. For me.
My throat is raw when I whisper, “And look what I did with that. Look how I repaid her.”
“What you did…” Will says firmly, but kindly, “…was protect her. Defend her. Yeah, decking Santa in front of the kids wasn’t exactly your proudest moment. But between you and me?” His mouth quirks. “If you hadn’t done it, I would have.”
My head jerks up, eyes wide. “Are you serious?”
“Dead serious.” His smile fades as his expression turns somber. He shifts in his seat, his gaze never leaving mine. “I hope I’m not overstepping here, but… I noticed Jaylynn didn’t have a ring.”
The words slice me open with guilt. Fuck, if he didn’t hate me before, he’s going to now. “Will?—”
He raises a hand. “It’s okay. I know everything.”
Fuck.
“I’m so sorry. Jay came up with this plan. We never meant to deceive anyone.” My voice drops. “Did she tell you? Did she tell everyone?” I’m not sure why I’m worried about everyone hating me for this, they already hate me for ruining Christmas.
He shakes his head slowly. “No. She’s not really talking much at all right now. I only had my suspicions. You just confirmed them.”
“Jesus,” I groan, scrubbing a hand down my face. “I just confessed without even meaning to. You’re a sneaky son of a bitch.”
Will laughs, and then reaches into his pocket. When he pulls out a small velvet box, my chest seizes.
“What’s that?” I rasp.
He opens it, revealing a delicate diamond that catches the light, glowing like it’s carrying the weight of generations.
“Uh, Coach. I mean Will. I appreciate the gesture, but you’re not my type.”
That gets a belly laugh out of him, his eyes crinkling in the corners. “This was her grandmother’s ring. Jaylynn always loved it. We’ve kept it put away, waiting for the right time. And I thought…” He pushes the box toward me, his voice steady. “…this is my way of giving you my approval, Penn. You’re the son-in-law I’ve always wanted.”
My head jerks back as my heart thumps wildly. “Are you kidding me? After everything I’ve done?”
“Yes,” he says simply. “After everything. After watching you stand up for my daughter, after seeing how deeply you care for her, after the way you’ve fought—sometimes poorly, sometimes too hard—but always for her.” He pauses, his eyes piercing mine. “Especially after seeing how much you love her.”
The truth rips out of me, raw and unstoppable. “I do love her,” I choke, tears spilling hot down my face. I bend forward, elbows braced on my knees, face buried in my hands.
Will’s voice softens, full of quiet conviction. “Then you need to tell her.”
“She’s not going to talk to me,” I say, muffled by my palms, every ounce of me terrified of the rejection I deserve.
“Penn.”
I lift my head slowly. He’s watching me with a kind of patience and hope that feels like a lifeline.
“There’s only one way to find out.”
For most of my life, I’ve been too much of a coward to try—to step out of line, to risk failure, to push past what others expected of me. But right now, failure isn’t an option. Not when it comes to Jaylynn. If there was ever a time to fight, it’s now.
I wipe my face, stand on shaky legs, and nod. “Let’s go.”
25
Jaylynn