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"Are you lying to me?" I ask her

"Yes," she says with a sood care offor o For me to push her and our relationship back into the closet My shoulders sag and I nod ht?"

"Of course," she says with a set ht now, okay?"

I can’t help but smile at her "Okay"

Brian and I watch as Gray disappears into the house The silence becoe I want to at least see her off

"Why would you give up your career?" Brian asks me out of the blue

I turn to look at hiue A decorated league veteran You can all but name your price next year and that doesn’t even include the endorse up ht it was obvious," I chide

He waves an impatient hand "Yeah…I heard your declaration of love But that still doesn’t answer hter say she loves you too Why isn’t she the one giving up her career?"

My jaw sort of drops and I know I look like an idiot as I stare at him in astonishment "You seriously can’t think that’s a valid option"

Brian shrugs his shoulders "Why not? If we’re all about equality, why are you the one giving up your career? Why shouldn’t she?"

I think about this for a uess Not one I really considered, but on its face, who’s to say whose career is more i unfair to the other So to suffer Why is it me and not her?

"Because she deserves it ht answer

Hehistory," I explain "I the world there aren’t any gender barriers in this sport I have two daughters, so I think you understand me when I say this is very important to me personally This is i a new business model that could help to create an indestructible chaoalie One who’s had his chance to oals and Gray is just starting to seek hers out She not only deserves this chance more than me, but this team deserves her vision more than they need me"

I will look back on this moment and pinpoint it as the exact time when Brian Brannon becahter I can see the pride and respect in his eyes frohter now has someone ill put her first and ill take care of her the way he has all his life

He reaches a hand out to me and I take it