An Unfinished Life Read Online Free Page B

professional football — or any other physical sport — are over. Another harsh trauma like this and you will surely go blind.”
    The room was silent after that. Dr. Briggs again gave me his apologies, shook my father’s and coach’s hands and made his way out of the room. My brothers were looking at me with dumb as fuck expressions. I wanted to scream at them, but they took the hint and left with my sobbing mother.
    My father stayed, and it was back to business. He was not only my father, but my lawyer as well. I still had two years on my multi-million dollar contract. I would be paid out on that contract, millions of dollars to be banked.
    I had just received the worst news of my life, and there was my agent in the room still working deals for me. I would still have my endorsements, and although I wasn’t playing, I could still be part of the game. I could coach, broadcast, the choice was mine.
    But I respectively declined it all and declared that I was done. The hit I took ended my football career, but I still had options, and with a Super Bowl ring on my finger, I already got the brass ring — no pun intended.
    I felt it was time to move on. I went through the stages of grief when it came to my football career, but I fortunately still had my sight and plenty of money and I wasn’t even twenty-five yet. I had my charity work through the United Way, and I also ran a football camp for kids who couldn’t afford to go on their own. I’ll never forget the high I felt when I was playing the game, but I also knew I was given a miracle from God himself. I still had my sight, and I wasn’t going to take anything for granted.
    One thing that was tougher than walking away from a successful football career was finding and having someone so perfect for so short a time, only to have her taken away just as quick. I grieved for so long for Minela. Hell, I’m still grieving! I lived in my own private hell, and I never wanted my hurt to touch my family, so I stayed away and concentrated on my work.
    That same work has brought me here today. That same work has the potential of hurting the people I loved and vowed to protect. It was all too calculated, though. Wade and Marino’s plan felt off from the very beginning. This was why I needed my father. He had contacts all over the world, and I knew there was more to this Marino guy than meets the eye.
    I walked in through the vast lobby where a team of security personnel awaited me. I presented my official FBI wallet and was granted a visitor’s badge. One of the guards recognized me immediately from my playing days. I wasn’t that guy anymore and almost resented anything to do with my old life, but I indulged the guard for about a minute.
    “No, I don’t wear my Super Bowl ring. Who knows—maybe if New England or New York win next year’s big game, then perhaps you can view one on the hand of either one my brothers.”
    “I hope so, man. I have followed the famous Paulson trio for years now. This game misses you,” the guard said as he smiled through his pleasantries.
    “Again, thank you, but I do need to get upstairs. If you please, can you keep my arrival here private? I really can’t afford to be stopped again.”
    “Of course, sir. Sorry to have taken so much of your time. Like I said, I’m a fan.”
    I shook his hand and said, “You didn’t. I just need to visit with my father.”
    He escorted me to the bay of elevators, and I took it directly up to my father’s fortieth floor office. I was greeted by a floor manager, who led me to my father’s office. His assistant, Claudia, was waiting for me.
    “Do my eyes deceive me, or is the great Jacob Paulson actually standing before me?”
    She winked, and then I took his longtime right hand gal into my arms.
    “Oh, you bear of a man! The famous Paulson welcome. Put me down! I usually have to fight off your brothers with a stick, but now you too?”
    “You look wonderful, Claudia. How have you been?”
    “I’m