Page 38 of Crossing the Lines for Love

“You want me to start?” I offered, hoping Niko would take over.

“Nah, I got it, baby. First of all, we don’t live together. This is an Airbnb.”

“Is there something wrong with your apartment?” his father asked.

“No, but it would be risky for us to be seen together, so we come to Ravenswood when we can.”

“Hold on. Why can’t you be seen together?” his father questioned.

“Because Aranda is the new assistant coach.”

Everyone except Deuce froze. Four sets of eyes were suddenly glaring at us, and I wanted to disappear. I dropped my head and pretended my food was the most interesting thing I’d ever seen.

“Randi, are you crazy? Do you know what’s at risk?” I knew my father would be the first to respond.

“I considered them.”

“You couldn’t have. Division one college coaching positions aren’t a dime a dozen. If you lose this job for sleeping with one of the players, no other college will give you an interview, let alone a job.”

“You think I’d risk my dream job for sex? Wow. It’s great to know what you think of me, Dad.”

“That’s not what I’m saying, but you can’t sneak around forever. You’re bound to be discovered, and then what?” he continued. “You haven’t admitted it yet, but I suspect you think you’re in love. Regardless, I doubt it was love at first sight, so you had plenty of time to come to your senses.”

“I agree with your father,” Mr. Kemper said. “This is a lot riskier for you than it is for my son. He has a few more weeks before he graduates, and his college lacrosse career is over. Do you plan to keep this job long-term?”

“I want to.”

“Son, did you think about how this could affect her future, or did you let your, excuse my language, dick do all the thinking for you?” Mr. Kemper questioned.

“Wow, Pops.”

“It’s a legitimate question, Son, and you know you tend to do things on a whim,” Mrs. Kemper said.

“I have never done anything on a whim. You think that way because, by the time I bring my decisions to you, I’ve already weighed my pros and cons and considered all my options.”

“Well, I hate to tell you. This wasn’t well thought out. If you had thought this through, you would’ve seen how selfish and?—”

“Please! Everyone, stop! Niko didn’t make this decision on his own. I know what’s at risk, and I’m here. Contrary to what my daddy said, I know I’m in love with Niko and want a future with him. If the powers that be don’t understand it, I’m prepared to move on.”

As tears fell from my eyes, my mother came to console me. Surprisingly, she’d been very quiet while everyone else had something to say.

“Daddy, why is Ms. Randa crying?” Deuce asked just before I felt his tiny hand on my arm. “Don’t cry, Ms. Randa.”

His sweet little voice made me smile through my tears. With my mother’s comforting hands on my shoulders, I dried my tears and prepared to get through this conversation.

“You good, baby?” Niko asked, and I nodded.

He reached behind him, picked up a small backpack, and removed an iPad and headphones. My mother picked up the conversation after Niko got Deuce situated with the items.

“Let me tell you something about my baby, something her father should know but clearly has forgotten. She fell in love with lacrosse when she picked up her first stick at nine years old. Nothing in this world has ever made her happier. Her career ended sooner than she wanted because of an injury, and it broke her. Do you hear me? Itbrokeher. I was worried I’d never see the light in her eyes again.

“When she was hired at BEU, her smile became brighter, and the light she lost four years ago returned. I’ve watched that light become brighter and brighter for the past two months, and I assumed it was because she was doing what she loved at a level she may have never expected, which may have been partially true. However, it wasn’t just the love of the game that made her eyes sparkle again. It was the love of a man… apparently,thisman. If she decided to risk something she loves with all that’s in her to be with Niko, her love for him has no bounds. Lacrosse won’t give her the children she’s dreamed of having someday. Lacrosse won’t tell her all the things she needs to hear when she’s going through a tough time. Lacrosse damn sure won’t keep her warm at night when she’s feeling lonely.”

I reached up and grabbed my mother’s hands, which were still on my shoulders and squeezed them. The tears I thought were done had reappeared, and my face was wet again.

“Thank you, Ma.”

She leaned down and kissed my cheek. “I may never be the smartest woman in the room, but I know love when I see it. If your heart leads you to him, follow it and be unapologetic about it.”

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