Page 62 of Sealing the Deal

Mama takes the photo, and I see the same sadness pass through her expression. That quick calculation of how different life would’ve been if not for a freak storm and spooked horse and one split second that changed everything.

“Dylan looks so much like him now,” she says softly. “Sometimes, when he walks into a room—” Her voice falters and tears prick her eyes, but she doesn’t finish the sentence.

I reach across the table and take her hand, squeezing gently. With the boys, Mama is as strong as granite, but with me, she lets the cracks show. There has never been any question of Mama searching for a second chance at love. She’s still deeply, madly, completely in love with Harry. The fact he isn’t here anymore doesn’t change that for Mama.

She clears her throat and straightens. “Anyway. This photo is perfect.” She stands and starts gathering the pictures into neater piles. “And would you look at the time. Jake and Chase will be back from training soon.”

“I’ll hang around to say hi,” I say, “then I’ll head back to the city. I’m opening the bar tonight.”

Mama hums, stacking the photos back into the box. “Is it working out with your new bartender?”

The question is casual, but I catch the look she gives me. Like she’s asking another question entirely.

“Sonia’s great,” I reply. “I’ve really loved coming to the games. But I can’t wait to get back to normal and run the bar full-time,” I add. “Especially when I won’t have to worry about rent.”

Mama nods, but she doesn’t say anything.

“It will be great,” I repeat, firmer this time. And I’m not sure if I’m convincing her or myself. The Hay Barn is my whole world. It’s where I belong. The same way Grayson belongs in boardrooms and city skylines.

“The fans have settled,” Mama says then.

I nod. “The focus is on the Trailblazers game.”

“It is,” Mama agrees. “But don’t underestimate the work you’ve done to get them there.”

“It was only a few strategic photos.”

She shakes her head. “It was more than that, Flic. You’ve given Grayson advice, told him the right things to say in meetings. You’ve done exactly what we didn’t think was possible. You’ve shown him how much the Stormhawks mean to Denver. And I have it on good authority that you nailed it in the management meeting yesterday.”

I laugh. “Does nothing get past you?”

Mama is right. The meeting Grayson asked me to attend yesterday went better than I could’ve hoped. And I have to admit, sitting in the conference room at the top of the stadium yesterday and laying out my ideas for the Stormhawks was pretty cool. I half expected to be laughed out of the room by the management staff and Donny, but instead they took me seriously. Made notes. Asked follow-up questions. It felt like I was helping my team in a way I never thought possible.

And even though I’ve been a regular guest on Cal and Rico’s Fourth & Forever podcast for years, sitting down with them last night felt different, too.

I wasn’t just there to discuss our chances against the Trailblazers. I was there because everyone wanted to know where I stood. Cal didn’t waste time. You’ve been quiet on the Red Zone lately when it comes to the new owner, he said, leaning back in his chair. Has your opinion of him changed?

The studio felt smaller at that moment. The mic heavier. Yes, I said. It has.

Cal and Rico raised their eyebrows, wanting more. And so I gave it to them.

Look, I was as concerned as everyone else when Grayson Ashborne bought the Stormhawks. I said that publicly. I meant it. But I’ve spent the last few weeks watching him closely. I’ve seen him make mistakes, but I’ve also seen the way he handled those mistakes and faced criticism. I’ve seen him show up where it counts. And I can tell you honestly, I trust him to do right by this team.

That’s a big statement, Cal said carefully.

It is, I agreed. Trust takes time to build. I’m not disputing that. But we have to start somewhere.

Rico leaned forward. So, you’re saying the fans should trust him?

I’m saying judge him on what he does next, I replied. Not on what his father did. Not on the Ashborne name. Watch the actions. Hold him accountable. But don’t decide the ending before we’ve seen the middle.

For now, at least, the fans really are focused on the playoffs. The shots directed at Grayson on the Red Zone are fewer and spark less anger. This isn’t acceptance, but it’s a tentative truce.

“How are the team feeling about playing the Trailblazers?” I ask, thinking of Chase. Kansas is his old team, and the Trailblazers are last year’s Super Bowl winners and our biggest rivals.

“They’re nervous.”

“We beat them early in the season,” I say, “and then lost to them, too.”