“He’s persistent. He won’t give up.”

“And you know this how?”

“Seriously? You’re asking me this? I play hockey with him. I’ve seen his persistence and patience when it comes to scoring goals. As much as it pains me to say it, the kid is good. Very, very good. He’s not going to give up until he gets what he wants, and he wants you.”

“He can try, but I’m not interested. I suck at relationships, and I’m not interested in going through that heartache again. I’m sure you can appreciate my position.”

“More than you’ll ever know.”

Sadness flickered in his gaze. I wondered how long things had been bad between Bria and him. I hadn’t had a relationship all that long with my brother, and Bria had always been in the background, never a part of our conversations.

“Just be careful. I don’t want you hurt. He’s a player.”

“I know all about guys like him, guys way more dangerous and tougher than he’ll ever hope to be. He can’t hurt me much more than I’ve already been hurt, but I’m still not interested in repeating past mistakes.”

“Good to hear.”

“I figured you’d say that.” I reached out and squeezed his arm. “I’m here for you. You know that, right? Despite what I think of Bria, I know you loved her once, and she’s the mother of your children. This won’t be easy.”

“No, I can’t imagine divorce is ever easy. I feel sometimes like someone’s cut open my chest and ripped out my beating heart. I never thought divorce would hurt this badly considering the non-relationship we’ve had for the past few years. Every time one of the kids asks about their mother, my heart breaks, but I’m a strong guy, and so are my children. We’ll get through this. I see a light at the end of the very dark tunnel I’ve been traveling down. I’m excited to reach that light.”

“You will, and your life will be so much better for it. What’s going on with visitation?”

“Oh, that. I meant to tell you, but it’s been a little hectic with the Bria drama. My attorney hired a PI, and we found out she’s been hanging out, possibly living with some guy who’s a major player in the Seattle drug scene. As much as I hate to admit it, her drunken video helped my case, too. Her drinking and drug use have escalated from recreational to abuse. At this point in time, my attorney is making demands of her attorney regarding living arrangements and lifestyle before she is granted any kind of visitation.”

“She’s not going to like that, not because she wants to see the kids but because she doesn’t like anyone telling her what to do.”

“Yeah, I know. It’ll all work out. I have to believe that.”

“It will, and you’ll be much happier when it does.”

“I have a lot to be thankful for. I’m not the only guy on this team who had an unfaithful wife, and I won’t be the last guy.”