Page 137 of Second-Rate Superstar
She shook her head. “I would caution against it. Let the dust settle. He will be dealing with a lot with the Speed heading into the playoffs.”
It was almost April. The playoffs could run until June, depending on how far a team advanced. I couldn’t wait that long.
“And if I can offer a word of advice?” My eyes met hers, and she continued, “I know from experience that you can’t move forward with your life until you confront who or what hurt you. Use this time apart to make peace with your past to pave the way for your future. Whether you work things out with Braxton or not, it'll be good for you.”
My eyes widened. Was she suggesting I confront my father? That mere thought had my heart racing. What good would it do to speak to him now? Too much time had passed. Neither of us could change what he’d done to me and my mom. Nothing could bring her back from the dead.
But Natalie was trying to help, so I ducked my head. “I’ll think about it.”
“I know he cares about you, Dakota. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so upset. If you need anything at all, let me know.”
Stepping back, I wondered if this was the last time I would ever set foot on this property and speak to this woman. If it was, she deserved my gratitude for her kindness and hospitality these past few months.
Quietly, I said, “Thank you, Natalie. For everything.”
She gave me a small smile, and I slipped into my car before she could see me cry.
Looks like I have my work cut out for me. But Braxton is worth the fight.
Natalie’s suggestion rolled around in my brain for weeks. During that time, I spent most nights in my room, watching every Indy Speed game I could find, hoping to gauge how Braxton was coping. His play was incredible, and the Speed were rolling through the playoffs, bound for theEastern Conference Finals. The Comets had already been knocked out in the second round on the other side of the bracket.
I wondered if this would be all I ever had of the man I loved—glimpses of him on a screen from almost a thousand miles away.
No, I wouldn’t let myself think that way. I would get down on my knees and beg for forgiveness if that’s what it took.
You can’t force someone to forgive you.
That thought finally convinced me to make the trip to get closure with my dad.
Steeling my nerves, I pulled up to the house he shared with his “real” family. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. Part of me wondered if he would even recognize me. It had been almost twelve years since I’d last seen him.
It didn’t matter. This visit was so that I could get my feelings about how he treated us off my chest so I could move on. I was tired of his actions controlling how I lived my life.
Stepping onto the front porch, I rang the doorbell.
Time stood still as I waited. Checking my phone, I watched as five minutes rolled by and finally decided to give up. No one was home. It was a shame because even if I was nervous as hell to confront my father, I wasn’t sure I could work up the courage to come knocking a second time.
Halfway to the car, a woman’s voice called, “Dakota? Is that you?”
I froze. Turning slowly, I was met with the sight of a tall, brunette woman in her mid-forties standing on the threshold.
“Oh wow.” Her hands flew to her face. “I can’t believe how grown up you are.”
Stunned, I stared at her. She could be only one person—my father’s new wife and former mistress. And she seemed to know all about me when I knew very little about her.
Sensing my reluctance and confusion, she offered, “Would you like to come in?”
“Uh . . .” Did I want to? No. But I needed to, so I nodded. “Sure.”
Stepping inside, she closed the door behind me. “I’m Michelle,” she introduced herself. “I know we’ve never met, but I’ve watched you grow up.”
Anger surged in my veins, and I spun to face her. “Why did you do it? He was married, and you obviously knew that.”
Michelle sighed. But instead of answering my question, she asked one of her own. “Have you ever been in love, Dakota?”
My eyes dropped to the floor. “Yes.”
“Then, hopefully, you can understand that while I knew what I was doing with your father was wrong, I couldn’t stop loving him. And love makes people do crazy things.”
