The Gate to Everything (Once Upon a Dare Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

 
    “You’re right, Grace. I don’t know how it’s going to be all right, but somehow it will be.”  
    He grabbed her hand, which she squeezed before pulling away. His touch made her want to lean into him.
    “So, if we’re not getting married, what do you want to do?” he asked.  
    Details were not her friend right now. All she did was panic in the face of all the decisions ahead. “You need some time to let everything sink in. Are you still going on vacation like you normally do at this time of year?”
    Jordan blinked a couple of times, clearly surprised. They had originally planned to go to Italy after the season was over—their usual trip—but she wasn’t sure what he’d decided after the breakup. Going to Italy by herself had been another way to reclaim one of her passions. She’d first gone there with Tony Marcello eight years ago, back when they’d worked together at Divino in the Big Apple.  
    “I’m meeting up with my Once Upon a Dare guys at Sam’s house in D.C. for a few days.”  
    The friends he’d made at his childhood football camp were his staunchest allies and supporters—real friends, not panderers—and it warmed her to know he’d be seeing them after hearing this news.  
    “Please give everyone my best.”  
    “I’ll call you when I get back,” he said. “You’ll call me if you need anything, though, right?”
    She nodded to pacify him, but deep down, she didn’t foresee calling him for anything—at least not right now.
    “My cell will work wherever I am. Any time, okay?”
    Grace couldn’t help but smile at the pushiness in his tone. He knew she wouldn’t call either. “Got it.”
    Jordan rose from the table slowly, looking like he’d been sacked a record number of times during a game.  
    “Breaking up was hard, but this… You’re pregnant with my baby, and I can’t even hold you and be happy about it.”
    She closed her eyes briefly, trying to hold herself together. “I know.”
    He gave her one last long glance before walking briskly out of the kitchen. Grace stayed at the table and reached out a shaking finger to touch the crumbs he’d left on the table. Laying her head on her arms, she wept.  
    For all of them.

Chapter 3

    Jordan hopped an earlier flight from Atlanta to Washington D.C. in the hopes he could catch Sam Garretty alone before their other buddies arrived. Everyone looked up to Sam, the eldest member of their Once Upon a Dare group and the son of the man who’d brought them all together.
    Jordan had first attended Coach Frank Garretty’s reputed Ohio football camp as an eight-year-old. His mother had applied for a scholarship, and he’d shown up pretending to be tough, but quaking on the inside. The Coach’s annual Once Upon a Dare speech—or, rather, challenge—had changed him.
    Playing professional football is not some fairy tale, boys. It’s hard, exhausting work. You’ll be tested in every way a man can be. There are no daisies and buttercups in this game. If you want everything handed to you like some princess, get off my field right now. If you’re going to play football for me or any coach worth his salt, you’re going to have to dare it all. So, here’s my challenge to you punks. I dare you to be more than you ever imagined…
    Jordan had been full of dare—always had been and always would be. And since Coach believed in putting kids of varying ages together to share life lessons and skills, Sam, who was four years older, had been put in the same cabin as Jordan alongside the other six guys in their group. They’d formed a fast friendship that had only grown stronger with each passing year. Now they were all pro football players—an achievement that spoke of Coach’s instincts. Jordan considered the other guys his brothers, especially since he was an only child.
    And after learning the woman whom he loved—and had lost—was carrying his baby, Jordan needed a brother.
    When he arrived at Sam’s home in the early