Free After The Fire (One Pass Away Book 3) by Mary J. Williams

about the
    possibility. Hope for it. Wish all you wanted. But never say it aloud. Not in
    front of Gaige. Not if you wanted to keep your head on your shoulders.
    “It’s early.” Harry looked at the clock. “What’s on your
    plate for the rest of the day? Hot date?”
    “I have an interview with Paul Wellington. He’s cute, but
    not my type.”
    That was two hours ago. Gaige wanted nothing more than a
    beer, steak on the rare side, and an early night. But Terrance had texted him
    asking him to drop by the foundation as soon as possible. Not urgent, but
    important. Terrance knew his schedule as well as anyone. If his old friend said
    something was important, he wasn’t exaggerating.
    Gaige pulled into the parking lot, easing his car to a stop.
    It still felt odd to see his name on a plaque that read, Reserved for Gaige
    Benson . It was his name, but sometimes he felt like that kid from Brooklyn
    who dreamt of playing professional football. He wouldn’t say he had come
    farther than he imagined. At times like this, he mentally pinched himself. He
    had always expected to succeed—but he would never take it for granted.
    He walked across the lot and into the building. The entire
    sixth floor belonged to the foundation. Last spring, they had moved from their
    original offices to a bigger space downtown. The plush digs weren’t just
    practical. Terrance reminded him that when someone considered giving money, they
    liked you to look like you didn’t need it. It was a crazy theory, but Gaige
    couldn’t argue. Donations were up thirty-five percent.
    “Good afternoon, Mr. Benson.”
    No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get their new
    receptionist to call him by his first name. Maybe it was the age difference.
    When he was twenty-three years old, thirty-eight seemed ancient. Some days,
    especially after a rough game, Gaige forgot what it felt like to be that young.
    But not today. It was right there in front of his eyes. Bright,
    energetic, and filled with the knowledge that everything was ahead of her. It
    was a beautiful thing. And he wouldn’t have traded places with her for anything
    in the world.
    “How are you, Wendy?”
    The pretty blonde blushed, batting her big, brown eyes. Okay .
    It seemed the problem wasn’t that she thought he was too old. He knew what a
    crush looked like. He’d been on the receiving end of enough of them. She would
    get over it, they always did. In the meantime, Gaige gave her a smile. Neutral
    and kind.
    “I’m great, thank you, Mr. Benson.” The color on her cheeks
    grew a deeper shade of pink. “Great game yesterday. The Knights are going to
    the Super Bowl for sure.”
    His smile didn’t slip, but it took some effort. Breathing
    deeply—in, then out—Gaige waited for a beat before responding. He had a
    standard phrase for moments like this.
    “Fingers crossed.” It was inane, but it served its purpose.
    Wendy nodded as though his words were the cleverest thing ever spoken. “Is
    Terrance in his office?”
    Wide-eyed, Wendy nodded. “Mr. Aldridge said to send you
    right in.”
    Gaige walked down the hall to the last door on the right. He
    knocked, entering without waiting for an answer.
    The office reflected the man who occupied it. Warm colors
    and comfortable furniture. Gaige knew that Terrance’s wife was responsible for
    decorating the area. But Dil Aldridge knew her husband’s tastes. The deep blues
    and chocolate browns suited him perfectly. It was the kind of space in which a
    man could do business, then relax and enjoy the view out the large plate-glass
    window. Downtown stretched out before them. And to the right, Knights Stadium.
    Terrance looked up, concern shadowing his eyes.
    “How are the ribs?”
    Gaige didn’t dodge the question. Terrance wasn’t his head
    coach or a member of the press. He didn’t bullshit a man who had pulled him up.
    Taught him. Became his father. His friend. Then stood beside him—through the
    good and bad—for twenty-five