âWhy, so I can go re-livinâ my glory days of not even succeedinâ right? We can but my game might be a little lackluster considerinâ the fact that Iâm in the middle of a scandal and all. And I might lose the second career I kinda liked.â Damien felt like his life was spiraling again. Heâd felt it three times now, the sad thing about it was it was almost like he was used to it. Seeing the good life within reach and then having it slip away.Â
âNot ever succeedinâ? Are we talkinâ about the same glory days here, cause last time I checked you made it, brother. You were part of the NFL. You played for the damn Patriots for cryinâ out loud. I mean you know how talented you gotta be for that? Most of us will live our whole lives never even knowinâ what itâs like to step foot on that field. I was out before I could even play the game. But, you? You did it. And I get it, I do. I get how that might not have been enough for you, but you did what I can only dream of. What I have been dreaminâ of since I was five years old, so, for the love of god, please donât act like that was nothinâ. Youâre one of the freakinâ coolest people I know for cryinâ out loud,â Connor sighed, running his fingers through his hair as he looked over at his little brother. âLet me ask you a question, okay? Do you love it? Do you love throwinâ around a ball? Do you love beinâ out there in front of the camera? Cause I know, crowds cheerinâ from the stands or not, there isnât anythinâ in this world that will stop me from playinâ the game that I love. Even if it is just with the guys in some worn down park on the weekends. So, if you like beinâ out there as much as you say you do, then stop worryinâ about what people think of you and letâs go play around like we used to when we were kids. I know the scandal is still gonna be there and Iâm not tryinâ to diminish that either. I just- I know a thing or two about scandals, Damien. You know I do.â He was the cocky senior who slept around, the guy who knocked up a freshman he barely even knew in high school, the fallen football star, the deadbeat husband, the man who ran off with a twenty-something year old actress after his wife cheated on him while he was still in the eyes of god and the state married. Connor knew what his brother was going through and he know he probably sounded like he was giving him tough love right about now, but he just wanted to help him through this. âSo, trust me on this? After today, I promise, Iâm gonna do everythinâ I can do to help make sure that this scandal breezes past you. Rockyâs got a whole team and Iâll put all my effort behind it. I promise. But, for today? I mean donât you want to toss a ball around and go back to when we were kids? Just the two of us without the pressure from mom or dad or recruiters or college scholarships or agents? Just sing some silly happy birthday song and pat each other on the back as you try to blow out those candles that keep on re-lightinâ themselves? You donât have to. I mean itâs your birthday after all, but donât you want to? Even a little bit?â