Second Chances Read Online Free Page B

“Paige.”  Maya’s voice held pity.
                  “Don’t say it.”
                  “What are you doing to yourself?  Do I need to come out there?”
                  “I said don’t say it.  I’m not doing anything.”
                  “Exactly.  You’re not going to be able to move forward if you don’t make some sort of change.  You’re barely making it in that small apartment you were forced to move in after Davis kicked you out, and there are reminders of him everywhere in a city that isn’t home! What are doing there?”
                  “Where else would I go?  Our … my life here was all about Davis.  We moved here for his career.  I mean - I have Skylar but that’s it other than a few friends, who are married to Davis’ co-workers, and after the divorce who do you think they talk to?  Not me anymore.”
                  “Why don’t you come home?  You have friends and family here that miss you?  Plus, it’s only 45 minutes away.  If you miss Skylar, you don’t have far to drive.  You could always find another job here.”
                  “Did mom put you up to this?” 
                  Maya paused and then lied.  “No, I think you should come back home. You have roots here. You’re wasting away there.  And around every corner is just a reminder of that jerk and his new plaything.  Thank God you didn’t have children with him.”
                  “Maya,” Paige groaned.  It killed her to hear those words.
                  “I’m sorry.  You know what I meant.”  She wished she could rewind and erase.
                  “Yeah, listen.  I need to rest.  I’ll call you later, okay?”
                  “Promise me you’ll think about it.  I know it would be a good thing.”
                  She’d been gone for twenty years.  It would be just as foreign as living alone in this town was.  Paige wavered.  Part of her wanted the comfort of her family in this chapter of her life.
                  “I’ll think about it.”
                  “Promise?” Maya jumped from her chair.
                  Paige’s stared at the ceiling recalling the night before.  The few details she could remember in vivid detail, before hurtling drinks down, was a clear reminder that she was chasing ghosts at every corner.  She knew she couldn’t move on if Davis and his new girlfriend were bound to be at every turn. 
                  “Tell mom that I promise.”  Paige’s fatigue started taking over once more.
                  “Okay, I will.  I mean - yeah, whatever.  You knew she was behind this anyway.  But I really want it too.  We all do.”
                      “Okay.  I have to go.  I love you.”
                      “Love you.” Maya grinned as she set down the receiver.  She looked to her mom and grinned.  “She’s coming home.”

             
    Chapter 4
     
                   Katie Granger watched her dad pace along the fifty-yard line of the high school football field. Most of the fans had dispersed, and her friends - what few she had - left her alone to wait for her father.
    She took a deep breath, knowing how hard he was on himself after a loss.  As the new head coach of the Granite Chargers, she knew he would be recanting every play putting the errors to memory for tomorrow’s practice.
    Katie hopped down from the bleachers and hesitated before stepping onto the field.  Her whole life, she’d sat on the sidelines, cheering and watching her dad in all his glory as a pro ball player.  But, after his fourth knee injury - he was sidelined and forced to retire. 
    As an offensive tackle for the Redskins, Nick Granger hit and hit hard.  At 6’2”, he was quick on his feet and was