“When I saw you walk through that door, yes, that was immediately put on the list,” Nichole answers. “But also, we need to talk about Myla.” The jovial mood Nichole was just in vanishes completely as she says, “I couldn’t tell you how much time I have left, if I have time at all, or if I have some months to spare. My doctor doesn’t think it looks good, but if Myla wants me to try to fight, then I will. I can make some more calls, do some more research.”

“I can help,” Banner says. “I met some leading hepatologists from Johns Hopkins when I was working on a medical app a few years back. I’ll call them and see if they recommend any oncologists whose specialty includes liver cancer.”

“Normally, I’d say I don’t need help because I like to do things on my own, but I think I’ll accept help with a phone call.”

“Consider it done,” Banner says.

“Okay, back to Myla. She’s going to want to focus on my health and make sure I have everything I need, but I think we all know at this point, she can get lost in that. She doesn’t handle stressful situations well. She won’t let me focus on her, so I’m going to need you two to focus on her health, and her mental capacity for taking care of me. And I’m saying this because I need to know that if and when I leave this earth, she will be taken care of.” I go to speak, but she lifts her hand. “I know you will do that, Ryot. You’ve proven yourself from day one. And I know we’ve had our ups and downs throughout your relationship with Myla, but looking back at it all, you’ve always loved her—loved her more than any other man in her life. But you did fuck up.”

“I know. I fucked up, hard.”

“We all have our moments,” Nichole says. “I’m no angel. I think we know that after what happened when Myla’s dad passed.”

“Water under the bridge,” I say.

“Yeah . . . I know,” she says with a smirk, causing me to chuckle. “But I’m glad you’ve realized where your focus has been and that you’re bringing it back to our girl, but I need you to know that’s not where I want all of your focus going. You still need to do the ESPN show.”

“Nichole. I already told you, I’m not—”

“I know what you said, but your decision is completely reactionary. There is emotion behind it rather than an intelligent, well-thought-out decision.”

“The only thing that matters to me is keeping Myla.”

“That’s the right answer. But let’s say, five years from now, you gave up The Jock Report, something you and I both know started because of Myla, and you’re feeling immense regret. How do you think that will hang over your marriage?”

“She’s right, dude,” Banner says. “As much as I want to believe that giving up The Jock Report is going to be easy, it won’t in the long run, not when you’ve put your heart into it.”