even been a consistent NFL starter, and now you’ll lead the team in the biggest sporting event of the year.”
I raise a shoulder and wonder how he’s gonna tie this into me unintentionally impregnating his little sister. “I think I can handle it. It’s a lot, but…” I level my gaze with his and speak slowly, knowing that we’re both painfully aware of the monumental secret we’re not acknowledging for some reason. “I can handle it.”
Noah nods slowly, his jaw clenching a little bit, his expression remaining relaxed and friendly.
Confused would be a fucking understatement. Maybe he doesn’t know Ellie told me he knows? Nah, there’s no way. They talk constantly.
“All right, bro. I just wanted to check in with you. And hey, you’ve got the fans on your side now.” He chuckles. “Whole country’s pulling for your ass, Underdog.”
“Yeah, thanks to Ellie.”
Shit.
Maybe I shouldn’t have even brought her name up. But it just feels so unbelievably weird not to. I’m not a game player. Well, yeah, I am…but not mind games.
I practically hold my breath, waiting for his response.
“Oh, I know. She’s totally killing it doing PR for the team, especially with you.” He laughs nonchalantly and clasps his hands together, raising his brows. “Everything’s in line for a historic win. Just comes down to you.”
I swallow and offer a half smile.
“Not to psych you out or anything,” he says jokingly.
If the whole pregnant-sister situation wasn’t going on, I’d think that Noah is a super chill dude and probably just wants to be boys and hang out with some nonbusiness-type athletes now and then.
“I’m not psyched out. All of my attention is focused on that game.” I meet his gaze, noticing his eyes are the same shade of golden-brown as Ellie’s.
“All your attention?” He draws out the question slowly and softly.
I almost feel relieved that he’s at least implying something about Ellie and the baby. I can’t take another fucking second of this weird he doesn’t know that I know he knows bullshit. I gotta just lay it all out there, or I’ll leave this meeting feeling even more nervous than when I came in.
And there’s no place for that right now.
“No,” I say steadily. “Not all my attention. I have a small distraction, and you know what it is.” I take a deep sigh and lean forward, knowing I can’t possibly be any more candid than this. “I know you found out that it’s me, Noah.”
His eyes widen in surprise as he leans back in the desk chair. “Matt, I didn’t call this meeting so we could talk about—”
“I know.” I hold up a hand and shut my eyes for a second, trying to channel my most upstanding and mature and worthy-of-your-sister self. “Just listen. It was an accident. It was very unplanned. Shocking and, at first, pretty fucking terrifying. But I can’t sit here and pretend that there’s not this massively overwhelming thing going on right now that involves both of us and has absolutely nothing to do with the Riders.” I puff out a breath and ease the tension in my shoulders, holding his gaze. “Look, Noah, I know it sounds bad. I get that. I get that the whole thing makes me look like a stupid asshole, and you have no reason to think I’d be anything but exactly that.”
He blinks at me, caught off guard by my straightforwardness.
I swallow and keep going. “Just, trust me that I’m not going to do anything to hurt anyone. I’m gonna be the best damn father I can be, even though the circumstances are weird. And as for Ellie, I’m crazy about her, and she knows it. So the rest is up to her. But, dude, you’re trusting me with the team you guys just bought in the biggest game of the year.” I lock my gaze with his, trying my best to convey how genuine and real these thoughts are. “Trust me with this, too.”
I’m not usually much of a speechmaker, but I had to get that all out. Maybe he’s still pissed, maybe he’s still angry or in shock, but at least I said what I wanted to say.
Noah stands up, nodding slightly.
I stand up, too, leveling with him and letting out a sigh of slight relief.
After a couple beats of silence, he holds out his hand for a high-five bro-hug. “Bring it in, McKenzie.”
I laugh and pat his back, a tidal wave of relief crashing over me. Noah’s not all that much of a talker,