Impossible To Resist (BWWM Romance Book 1)(49)

His dad exhaled loudly. “How can I argue with both of you?”

“I don’t want to argue, Dad,” Jared said softly. “I want your support. I want you to be happy for me.”

“Where are you going?” his dad asked.

“Nashville. If Ameryst can pull it off, Trent Roberts and I will be traded for Wilson and a pick in next year’s draft,” Jared answered, relieved to be able to tell his dad the whole story. “She flew out yesterday to meet with Nashville’s front office and I should know something by the time I land there tomorrow.”

“Sounds like you’ve got it all sorted out,” his dad replied quietly. He seemed disappointed. “I never thought you’d give up the life you worked so hard for.”

“Dad, it wasn’t a good life. It wasn’t real,” Jared explained. “Those people didn’t know me, they didn’t care about me at all. They still don’t. Besides, look at how I’ve acted the past few years? Look how I treated you and Mom? Were you proud of me when I was club-hopping and taking home a different girl every night? Is that the life you think I should lead?

“What happens when my career is over, do you think it will still look like that? Where were all of those people when I was hurt? They practically wrote me off and then, when I fought back against all odds, they put me on display and manipulated me. Dad, they didn’t even tell me you were sick. What kind of life is that?”

“Francis, Jared is here asking us to support him and I think we should.” His mom crossed the room and slipped an arm around his waist. She looked up to Jared with a face full of pride. “When I visited him in L.A., I was able to see first-hand how poorly they treated him. What do you think they will do when he’s no longer an asset? That man, Derek, manipulated our son, and I, for one, am glad that Jared finally saw through it and found a way out.”

“Like I said, I can’t fight you both. If this is what you think is right, then you have to do what you have to do.” Francis Jackson shook his head.

“I just want you to support me, Dad,” Jared said. “Can you do that?”

His Dad studied him for a moment before answering. “Yeah, Jared, I think I can.”

“Good. Thanks, Dad.” Jared sat back down, opposite his dad. “I wish I had longer to spend here, but I have to be in Nashville early tomorrow morning.”

“You’re not missing much since it seems I’ll just be laying around doing crossword puzzles for the foreseeable future,” his dad grumbled.

“It’s not that bad. You can do some Sudoku puzzles, too,” his mom teased. “And what about all of those TV shows you have saved on the DVR?”

“Bleh,” his dad growled dismissively.

“C’mon, Dad, it won’t be that bad,” Jared encouraged him. “The sooner you get a clean bill of health, the sooner you can visit me and attend a live game!”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” his dad promised.

Jared’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked the name. “It’s Ameryst, I have to take this.” He stepped out of the room and answered. “Hey, Ameryst, give me some good news.”

“Nashville is game,” Ameryst began, “but the Panthers are being difficult. They want more than they’re being offered.”

“What options do we have?” Jared asked. “I will do whatever it takes to make this work and I know Trent will, too.”

“Well, if you manage to have another big game this week it might be enough to bump Nashville from a second round pick to a first rounder. But I still don’t know if that will be enough. The Panthers are claiming that you are their franchise player.”

“So they’re pissed I want to be traded.” Jared read between the lines. He had a feeling this may be an issue.

“It seems that way,” Ameryst agreed. “This is a business though. You’ll have to approach it that way.”

“I know. It sounds like I need to have a big day tomorrow,” Jared said.

“Unless you come up with something else soon. I’m pressing where I can and calling in favors, but I need a little more time.” Ameryst sounded tired.

“Thanks, Ameryst.” Jared meant it. He could tell she was working hard. “Let me see what I can do on my end, okay?”

“Sure, Jared.” Ameryst sighed into the phone.

“You’re going to be at the game, right?” Jared asked.

“Of course, this is a big weekend for you. And I would love to see Alex again.”

Ameryst remained one of the few aware of his entire plan. She’d been only too happy to help when she learned the real reason Jared wanted to be traded to Nashville.

“Me, too. I just hope she’ll hear me out,” Jared said.

“Alex is stubborn and proud, Jared,” Ameryst started, “but she’s always been fair. I can’t believe she’d ignore everything you two shared after all that you’re doing to get back to her.”

“I hope you’re right, Ameryst.” Jared frowned into the phone. “I’ve done a lot of shitty things over the past few years and the way I left Amherst is near the top.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Jared,” Ameryst reminded him. At least she believed him.

“Thanks again, Ameryst. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jared disconnected the call and headed back in to enjoy a little more time with his family. He only had a few more hours of peace and quiet before the performance of his life.