Page 71 of Keeping the Single Dad
Alex rubbed my back. His deep, lilting voice rumbled through his strong chest. “Let me do this for you. Me and Brodie come as a package, and your family comes with you, too.”
“But Brodie is cute. My family are…”
I pulled away from Alex and met Mel’s eyes. She raised an expectant eyebrow, but a hint of laughter twisted her lips.
“My family are…older…and more expensive to maintain.”
Mel snorted. Alex folded his arms. “Are you kidding me? This rehab is cheap compared to Brodie’s football card addiction.”
Alex pulled me into his arms and whispered low in my ear so my dad and Mel couldn’t hear. “Besides, I like treating you well. If your sugar daddy can’t spoil you, who can?”???
Claire summoned me into her office and tipped her head to the chair opposite her desk. Skylar stood in the corner with her arms folded across her chest. I hardly dared look at her. She had to be so mad with me. She’d told me private things about Sean and I’d betrayed her…again. Guilt made my stomach roll with sickness, but I’d come here to face the music. I drew a sharp breath and sat tall in the chair. Whatever they needed to say, I’d take it. Claire had already decided, and I hadn’t come to argue or challenge her on it. I understood. From Claire’s point of view, I was a liability. I’d let her down every time I got here late.
“You wanted to see me?”
Claire pressed her lips, thoughtfully. “I had an interesting phone call from Mr. Singh, the head teacher at Daleside Primary. He said how much the kids had enjoyed the lessons with you. They all want to know when Lana Sinclair is coming back. You must have made a big impression. Mr. Singh said you’re still welcome to go back to the school whenever, even if you’re not involved with the club.”
Warmth expanded in my chest.
Claire flashed me a faint smile, the ice in her eyes thawing a little. “Will you go back to the school? It would be a shame if they missed out just because you’re not on the team anymore.”
“Yes. I’d like to keep going.”
“Good.”
Claire leaned back in her chair, relaxing.I felt Skylar’s eyes burning into me, but I still didn’t dare look at her. It hurt too much. I couldn’t bear the thought of not coming in to work every day and seeing my best friend. It had been hard enough when she’d been in LA, but at least I’d known she was coming back.
I cleared my throat. “It’s too little too late, but I wanted to apologize and explain. I’ve been struggling with some…personal matters. My dad has not been well. I should have been honest, but I wanted to protect him. The journalist blackmailed me and threatened to expose secrets about my dad. This club has always meant the world to me, but so does my family.” I forced my lips to part in a stiff smile despite the hollow space in my chest. “Thank you for the honor of being a part of this team. It’s been a privilege to be here, but I understand that I let you down.”
Claire frowned and straightened in her chair. “Why didn’t you tell us this earlier? I might have been able to help.”
“I’ve always found it difficult to ask for help. I want to be better at my next club.”?
Leaning forward, her glacial eyes speared me across the desk. My heart pounded at her intense inspection. “You’re going to be hard to replace.” She rubbed her finger on the desk and sighed. “I’m giving you another chance, but you’d better be on your best behavior.”
Shock flew through me. “What?”
Claire’s gaze softened. “We’ve all got stuff going on in our personal lives. Life is messy and complicated. Your private life is your private life, but if it’s going to affect your performance, then you need to be upfront with me so we can do whatever we can to support you. We’re a team. We’re your family, too.”
My eyes filled with tears. “You’re giving me another chance?”
Claire nodded and transferred her gaze to Skylar. “Yes, I’m not losing two of my best players.”
A pulse pounded in my temple. “Two? I don’t understand.”
Claire raised an unimpressed eyebrow. “Apparently if you go, then I lose my captain, too.”
Skylar’s eyes met mine. Her face was full of strength and determination. She hitched her shoulder and offered me a faint smile. “That’s right.”
I stared at her, baffled. Why wasn’t she angry with me after what I’d done? She couldn’t make that sacrifice. This was her career. Her team. Besides, I didn’t want to stay if Claire didn’t truly want me here.
“You can’t do this, Sky.”
Skylar’s voice was soft. “Mel told me everything. You were in a shitty situation. You don’t deserve to get kicked off this team.”
A warm glow coursed through me. Skylar wasn’t angry with me?
Claire rolled her eyes and blew out a breath. “It’s fine. Skylar is being melodramatic, and I’ll indulge it this once.” Claire’s steady gazed bored into me in silent expectation. “I want you to stay, Lana. This is nothing to do with Skylar. I won’t be blackmailed or coerced. This is me telling you I want a fresh start. This is my decision, but you need to tell me what’s going on in your life if it’s going to affect your performance on the pitch. I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”
