Going Hard (Football Romance) (4 page)

Chapter Eleven

"Well, it looks like someone's singing a different tune," Brett said, seeing the big smile on Maureen's face.

"Guilty as charged," Maureen replied, having her customary dinner with her parents on the weekend.

"In that case, why don't you say grace today?" Brett suggested.

But while it was Brett that took an interest in Maureen's demeanor at the dinner table, it was Maureen's married sister Vikki that went digging for information as she was visiting.

"Ah, nothing like young love," Vikki said.

"How about there's just nothing like love in general," Maureen replied.

"I guess that means you're not interested in seeing Tyler then," Vikki joked.

Isabel stared her daughter down.  "Vikki, why would you even bring that up?"

"What?  He's right down the street," Vikki said.

Maureen then chimed in.  "He is?"

"Oh yeah.  He's back in town," Vikki said.

In the old days, Maureen was a sucker for punishment.  She would have gone over to Tyler's house to pay him a visit.  But Maureen had changed.  She had Brian now.  And she was happier than she'd ever been before.  So she had no need to pay Tyler a visit.

***

"Why would you even bring up Tyler?" Maureen asked her sister on the back porch.  "I mean, haven't you ever heard the saying don't go looking for trouble or you just might find it?"

"I wasn't looking to make trouble for you," Vikki insisted.

"Oh really?  Because even bringing up the name Tyler will lead to nothing but trouble," Maureen insisted.

"Look, I didn't know you and this Brian guy were so serious," Vikki said.

"Well we are.  Things are actually going even better than I expected," Maureen admitted.

"Congratulations.  In that case, I won't even bring up what Tyler had to say about you then," Vikki replied.

"Wait--you talked to him?" Maureen asked.

"Well, he actually came to me," Vikki admitted.

"Why?" Maureen wondered.

"I guess he just wanted to test the waters before coming directly to you," Vikki said.

"Oh God, I hope he doesn't," Maureen replied.

"Oh, he definitely will.  He still has feelings for you," Vikki revealed.

"Yeah right.  Last I heard he was dating a Hollywood actress," Maureen replied.

"Hey, that's just what he told me," Vikki said.

But Maureen refused to be drawn back in.  "Well, he can have all the feelings he wants.  I'm already spoken for."

Chapter Twelve

"Thanks for dinner Mrs. Stanton," Brian said.

Isabel smiled back at Brian.  "You're very welcome."

It had taken forever for Maureen to convince Tyler to come to one of the Saturday night dinners with her parents.  At first Maureen worried it was because Brian thought it was too big of a step in their relationship.  But then Maureen realized Brian was worried it would be awkward seeing his head coach in a non-team environment--seeing Brett as anything but a stern disciplinarian with a great mind for football.  And frankly, it was probably destined to be awkward at first.  But if their relationship was ever going to take that next time, Brian would have to get over his reservations.  And that's exactly what Brian did.

As a testament to how good of a couple Brian and Maureen were though, Maureen's dad was actually fine with them as a couple.  He surprisingly didn't kick up a fuss at all.  And after Brett had blown his gasket over both Alyssa and Vikki's husbands, that said a lot.

At the same time, Brett still kept things close to the vest.  Just because his head didn't explode didn't mean that Brett was thrilled with the idea of his backup quarterback dating his daughter.  But then again, what father was ever truly thrilled with the man his daughter picked out?  But despite the rapid fire questions from both her mom and dad, Maureen thought things went well.  There was only one way to really find out though.  So as Brian headed back to the car after dinner, Maureen decided to find out what her father truly thought of Brian.

"So, did he pass?" Maureen asked.

"Pass what?" Brett asked.

"Your gauntlet of tests dad," Maureen insisted.

Brett had a great poker face.  He wasn't giving anything away.  Instead, he wanted to ask his daughter some more questions.

"How do you feel about him?" Brett asked.

"Good enough to invite him over here to the firing squad," Maureen admitted.

"You know that your mother and I just want you to be happy," Brett explained.

"Well, then Brian's the man for that," Maureen said.  "I love him."

Finally Brett was ready to reveal how he truly felt.

"He passed," Brett revealed.

Maureen couldn't believe it.  Her parents were harsher than most.  And they were just finally warming up to Tyler before he left for LA.  So for Brian to make such a good impression was quite a feat.

"Really?" Maureen asked.

"Don't make me repeat myself.  I wouldn't want to go changing my mind," Brett said.

"You have no idea how happy that makes me," Maureen said.

Relief had never tasted that sweet before.  It was a landmark moment in Maureen's life.  And one she'd never forget.

Chapter Thirteen

With Maureen's parents approving of Brian, it seemed like there was only smooth sailing ahead.  But things were not always as they seemed.  When Brian went to pick Maureen up the next day, he had a distant look in his eyes.

"What's the matter?" Maureen asked.

"Don't worry about it," Brian said.

"Well, clearly you're worried about it," Maureen argued.  "I can see it all over your face."

"It's not worry," Brian replied.  "I'm just thinking about how far I'm come in the last year."

Maureen was determined to get to the bottom of things though.  "Brian, what's going on?"

"Maureen, there's something I haven't told you," Brian said.

"Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this?" Maureen asked.

"Today isn't just a Sunday.  It was four years ago today that I lost my girlfriend," Brian admitted.

"Wait a minute.  What do you mean you lost your girlfriend?" Maureen asked.

"This was back in high school.  She was on her way over to my place.  I always told her not to text when she drove.  But she didn't listen.  So when she didn't show up at my house an hour later, I got worried.  It turned out she got distracted while texting and almost drove into oncoming traffic.  She swerved at the last minute, avoiding the cars--but ended up hitting a tree head on.  It was horrible.  One minute we were high school sweethearts about to head off to college together.  Then, like that, she was gone.  Four years ago today," Brian recalled.

"I'm so sorry," Maureen said.

"So am I.  And the most amazing part was, the text that she was typing was to me.  And she was writing 'I love you,'" Brian admitted.

"Wow.  That is so horrible.  I can't say sorry enough," Maureen replied.

Brian tried to shake out of his funk though.  "Sorry for ruining our day here.  Sometimes the feelings just rush back all at once."

"Don't worry about ruining our day.  After what happened--"

"It was just so senseless.  A complete waste," Brian said.

"I know what it's like.  I lost one of my friends a couple of years ago.  One day she had such a bright future, then the next--she was gone," Maureen explained.

"You know, for months afterwards I was inconsolable.  I couldn't make sense of it," Brian explained.  "But if losing Kara wasn't debilitating enough, everywhere I turned I was reminded of her.  At the restaurant where we first met, in the park where I proposed.  Springfield was just filled with haunted memories.  I just had to get out of there," Brian said.

Maureen put it all together.  "So you came to school here."

"I never thought I'd love again after that.  I thought I was too damaged.  Too broken.  But when I first saw you, an amazing thing happened.  You brought hope back into my life," Brian explained.

"Me?" Maureen said.

"Don't act so surprised.  I love you," Brian replied.

Maureen had never heard anyone talk about her that way.  Brian's words were so heartfelt, so kind.  Maureen didn't know how to respond to them.  She was overcome with emotions.  Then tears started streaking down both of their faces.  It was a one of a kind experience hearing the love of your life tell you that you brought hope back into his life.

"I don't know how you made it through all that," Maureen said.

"It can be hard seeing life's plan sometimes," Brian admitted.  "But if you keep believing in the best, eventually the worst will be over."

It was amazing.  Maureen had only heard that saying once before--from her mother.  So to hear it from Brian brought a smile to Maureen's face.

"Well, whatever path it took to get you to me, I'm glad you're here," Maureen said.

"So am I," Brian admitted.

***

The spirit of honesty overtook Maureen on the car ride home.  There was something she couldn't even admit to Tyler before he left.  Something that had been bringing an itch to Maureen's subconscious.  Something she only felt comfortable revealing to Brian.  Then finally Maureen just blurted it out.

"I wanted to go with Tyler," Maureen blurted out.

Brian was confused.  "What?"

"To LA.  And I actually would have gone with him, if it weren't for my father," Maureen explained.

"Yeah, I can see how your dad would want you to be an Armadillo," Brian said.

"No, it's more than that.  You see, I have a sister," Maureen replied.

"I know--Vikki," Brian said.

"No--another sister.  One that never gets talked about.  One that is treated like she doesn't even exist," Maureen explained.

"I didn't know that," Brian said.

"Exactly my point.  My parents never talk about her.  They haven't spoken to her in years.  They're still angry at her for turning her back on the foundation," Maureen replied.

"I can't imagine how difficult that is for you," Brian said.

"And the thing is, we used to be so close.  But she wanted something different out of life.  So when she got a scholarship to Windy City University, she set off for Chicago.  After that, it wasn't long before she fell in love with a guy.  And even though she tried to come back to Juniper Flats, my parents never got over her leaving in the first place."

"And you didn't want the same to happen to you," Brian remarked.

"Yeah.  I was worried that if I left with Tyler, my parents would see it as a slight against them.  Like I was turning my back on the family legacy too," Maureen explained.  "I know it sounds strange, all this over a foundation."

"But it's not just a foundation though.  It's not really about the foundation at all.  It's about what the foundation represents.  Your family's history.  Their legacy.  Their mark on the world," Brian said.  "I understand completely."

"My parents mean so much to me that I just couldn't go with Tyler.  I couldn't risk it," Maureen said.

"So you really would have gone then?  I mean, if your family would have been ok with it--"

"I'd be in Los Angeles right now," Maureen admitted.

"Do you regret not going?" Brian wondered.

Maureen looked deep into Brian's eyes.  "Now I don't."

"And why is that?" Brian asked.

"Because I have you," Maureen said.

That brought a smile to Brian's face that just wouldn't quit.

Chapter Fourteen

Maureen's life seemed like it couldn't get any better.  She was in love.  Her parents were happy with the man she'd picked.  And things were going well at both school and the foundation.  So naturally that was when the rug got pulled out from under Maureen.

"I've missed you so much," Tyler said, waiting at his car in front of Maureen's parents’ house.

Maureen couldn't believe Tyler was right in front of her.  She'd just come over to her parents’ house to pick up some things from her old bedroom, but when she came out the front door, there Tyler was.  Maureen didn't know what to make of it.  What to say.  It was actually Tyler--in the flesh.

"Tyler, what are you doing here?" Maureen asked.

"I thought you'd be happier to see me," Tyler said.

"No, no.  I'm just surprised.  I didn't expect to see you again--ever," Maureen muttered.

"Well, you'll be seeing a lot more of me.  I'm not going to stop until I get you back," Tyler declared.

"That's a pretty bold statement for someone that just up and left me," Maureen said.

"Look, I've made lots of mistakes in my life," Tyler said.  "But none bigger than letting you slip through my fingers.  I won't make that mistake again.

"The choice isn't just yours," Maureen argued.  "Do you know what it feels like having your heart break into a million pieces?  To have the man you've daydreamed about your whole life choose moving to LA to play football instead of being with you?  And to not have a way to make that pain go away?"

"I don't.  And I'm sorry for what I did.  But I'm back here now as a changed man.  One that's ready to love you as you deserve.  It might have taken longer than expected, but once I realized how a life without would look, I knew I had to return to you," Tyler said.

"Oh really?  You seemed to be doing pretty good without me.  I thought I heard you were dating some actress," Maureen replied.

"Look, LA is a different place.  The people there are not like you," Tyler said, dancing around the right words.  "Let's just say there's a lot of plastic people there."

"No.  In Hollywood--really?" Maureen replied, sarcastically.  "Sorry, but you had your chance.  Now you're just too little too late."

"Maureen, I know this may be hard to hear, but it's the truth.  I'm sorry, from the bottom of my heart.  And I want to make this work.  I'd even transfer to Texan U for you," Tyler said.

Maureen stopped dead in her tracks.

"Say what?" Maureen asked.

"I'm willing to leave LAU and transfer to Texan U if it meant I could be with you," Tyler said.

"Oh, no you don't," Maureen replied.

"Maureen, this isn't some joke," Tyler said.