Free On My Own: Book Three in the Who's Your Daddy series by Rhonda Marks Page A

time as his image came up on the Jumbotron.
    Next the home team took the field and kickoff was right around the corner. Dirk and all the other captains met at the center of the field and LA won the coin toss. More boos came and it seemed to energize the LA team as they jumped up and down on the sideline.
    Everyone headed back to their respective sides of the field except Dirk. Someone handed him a microphone an d his face soon filled every screen in the stadium. He held up his hand, requesting silence from the crowd. Caroline stared at the scene unfolding before her with a puzzled expression on her face. What the hell was going on?
    Dirk turned in her direction and cleared his throat. “I know this is a little unusual, but can I get a little cooperation for the next few minutes.” The crowd noise lowered to a hum and he began to speak again. “I guess you all know I was born and raised in Devinne. Due to circumstances that aren’t important now, I left home over ten years ago and did not come back until a few days ago. The town was kind enough to welcome me back and I thank them for that.
    “What I really want to do right now is to apologize to someone I hurt very badly.”
    Caroline froze and slowly shook her head. What was he doing?
    “Caroline Jackson, I’m so sorry for everything I’ve put you through over the past ten years. I should have been around. Hell, I never should have left.”
    The tears she had successfully stemmed a few minutes ago now freely flowed down her face.
    “I know we have a lot of talking to do, Caroline, but I want the world to know I still love you, and want us to start again.” Instead of boos, the crowd now rained ahs down on the field. Suddenly, Caroline was on the stadium large screens and she tucked her head down. Shouts of ‘way to go, Caroline’ came from the townsfolk and her mother embraced her.
    Dirk blew a kiss in her direction then handed the mic to a stadium employee before sprinting off the field. Game on.
     
    Dirk hugged Caroline close as they watched JJ run up and down the field, a huge smile on his face. Pittsburgh beat LA today, but although he was not happy about the loss, Dirk was on top of the world because of the woman in his arms.
    “So, are we okay?” He stared into her eyes and held his breath, awaiting her answer.
    “I wouldn’t be here with you if everything wasn’t. We have some work to do, but I hav e a feeling things will be alright.”
    “Caroline, I’m going to make sure to make it up to both you and JJ for all the years I wasn’t around.”
    “You know this wasn’t all your fault. If my father hadn’t—”
    He placed a finger on her lips and followed it with a quick kiss. “We’re going to have a fresh start. No blaming anyone for anything. Let’s live for today, alright?” He bent down to give her another kiss, but had to cut it short when he heard JJ cry out. Ready to run to his son’s aid, he stopped when he saw him jumping up and down. “What’s going on, son?”
    “Look, look,” JJ yelled as he drew closer. “It’s an official pro football! And it’s signed too.”
    Dirk looked around to see the Pi ttsburgh quarterback walking away. He whistled at him and gave him a salute of thanks. Maybe the guy wasn’t so bad after all.
    “Did you say thank you?” Caroline asked as she caught the ball.
    “Yeah, Mom.” He sprinted away from them once more, pretending to allude phantom tacklers.
    “How about we get out of here and head back to my hotel room. Coach gave me permission to grab a flight later tonight. I want to spend the rest of my time here with you and JJ.” My family.
    “Sounds like a plan, Mr. Quarterback.” 

     
     
     
     
    ON MY OWN by Rhonda A. Marks
     
    Kindle Edition
     
    Copyright © 2014 by Rhonda A. Marks
     
    Cover by http://www.coverfreshdesigns.com
     
     
     
     
    ISBN 978-0-9889770-3-7
     
     
    This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s