Page 26 of The Goat in the Bedroom
She was doing something all right.
After they left, I felt oddly unsettled. Sloane's questions stuck with me.
“Was that weird to you?” I asked as we cleaned up from filming.
“What part?”
“The way she was asking about our relationship. Like she was fishing for something.”
Gryff shrugged but also nodded. “Reality TV producers always want drama. She's probably hoping we'll have some massive roommate conflict she can film.”
“Yeah, probably.” I hope that’s all it was.
My phone rang, interrupting the conversation. Dad's name flashed on the screen, and I felt the familiar mix of excitement and anxiety that came with his calls. I usually only talked to him a few times a year. This was the second phone call this summer already.
“Hey, Da,” I said, settling onto the couch.
“Artemis, love. How's the training going?”
“Really well. I'm working with an amazing team, and Coach thinks I might be ready for the number eight position.”
“That's fantastic. Leadership on the field, just like when you were little.” His pride came through clearly, even across the ocean. “I've been thinking about our conversation from graduation.”
Here it was. The conversation I'd been avoiding thinking about.
“About Team GB?”
“Aye. The opportunity is still there, you know. The team would be lucky to have you. Gotta get something out of that dual citizenship.”
I know it was supposed to be a little joke, but I think that was really a way for him to feel more connected to me. “I know, Da.”
“It's just... it's been so long since we've lived in the same country. Since we've been able to see each other regularly. If you played for Great Britain, we could spend more time together. I could watch you compete, help with training, be part of your rugby life again.”
The longing in his voice made my chest tight. “I'm committed to Team USA, Dad. I've been training with them for two years.”
“I know, I know. And I'm proud of you regardless. But the transfer rules... you'd need three years between your last match for the US and playing for GB. If you're serious about considering it, you'd need to make that decision soon. Can't wait too long.”
Three years. That sounded like forever and no time at all, but also like a very concrete deadline. “I'll keep that in mind.”
“That's all I ask. Love you, hen.”
“Love you too, Da.”
After we hung up, I sat staring at my phone for a long moment. Gryff had finished cleaning and was now researching something on his laptop, probably football related.
Gryff flopped down on the couch across from me. “What’s up with Poppa Fraser? You’ve been talking to him more lately.”
“He wants me to consider playing for Great Britain instead of the US.” It would mean another big change in life, which was nothing new. I could do it. My mom wouldn’t like it though.
Gryff looked at me like he was trying to see inside my brain. “That's a big decision.”
“Yeah. He keeps bringing it up, and I know he misses me. We haven't lived in the same country since I was sixteen.”
“Do you want to play for Great Britain?”
I thought about it. “I don't know. Part of me does, because it would mean spending more time with him. But the US team feels like home now.”
When had anyone or anything ever felt like home? I don’t even know why I said that. Except that the one person in my life who would understand that concept was Gryff.
