Page 138 of Comeback
“You know…” She trails off and smiles at me hesitantly. “It might not be too late to repair things with your dad. Maybe you have more good days ahead of you?”
“I don’t know.” I shake my head. “We didn’t have a lot of good times even before he left us.”
“I wasn’t there, and I can’t imagine it. My parents have been hovering over me since I was a baby. But you’re a good man, Archer Holland. If any part of you wants some sort of relationship with him now despite the past, then don’t let the opportunity pass you by. Life’s too short. And if he still isn’t the father you need or want, then at least you won’t look back and wonder.”
I nod, knowing there’s some truth to her words, but not feeling any more compelled to reach out to the man who left me and my brothers. Opening myself up to that feels like knowingly stepping in front of a bus.
She stops and laces her fingers behind my neck. Everyone else is still walking away, but not us. I’d stand still with her and let the whole world pass us by.
“Either way, I’ll be here with you. Me and you, baby.”
“Me and you.”
40
ARCHER
The following weeks we’re hit with cross-country away games that make it feel like I’m gone more than at home. We return from New York on Monday morning, twelve hours later than scheduled due to some plane mechanical issues.
I am beat and anxious to see my girl, but first I have to get treatment, attend a position meeting, and get in my typical Monday conditioning workout.
“I cannot wait to sleep in my own bed,” Brogan says, groaning as he stretches.
When we reach the tarmac, I raise my face to the Arizona sky and breathe in home. There’s a nip in the air, but the sun is shining. I’ve already stripped out of the extra layers I wore to stay warm in the chilly East Coast temps. It snowed during the game, which I always think is kind of fun. Cold but fun.
We drive straight from the airport to the stadium. Coach is standing just inside the building. He’s already in his usual practice tracksuit and has coffee in one hand looking a lot more ready to go than the rest of us.
“Holland.” He holds up a hand and smiles as we approach. “Six.”
“Morning, Coach,” Brogan and I say in unison.
“Archer, can you stop by my office after treatment this morning?”
My steps slow as I process his words, and a sinking sensation takes hold of my stomach.
“Yeah. Is everything okay?”
“Nothing to worry about,” he says, like that isn’t exactly what I’ll do for the rest of the morning.
I manage to keep walking, but a million “what if” scenarios pummel me as I head down the hallway to the locker room.
They’re not going to trade you,Brogan signs.
“You can’t know that.”
When he’s fired up, like right now, his signing gets faster and more animated.Your numbers the past month are stronger than almost anyone else in the league.
I have been playing well. The best I ever have, but I’ve been around long enough to know that sometimes cuts are made, not based on individual performance, but for the betterment of the team. I’d like to think I’m what’s best for the Mavericks when it comes to my position, but at the end of the day, that’s not my call.
We have to go our separate ways for treatment, but before he leaves, Brogan squeezes my shoulder and looks me in the eye. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.”
I nod once and swallow down the lump forming in my throat.
My anxiety doesn’t get any better when I see Graham laughing and carrying on like it’s any other day. Since I stopped letting him get under my skin, he’s backed off. He still talks shit any chance he gets, but he isn’t seeking me out like before. And he hasn’t shown up to the studio again. The sale of the building is still moving forward, but I’m not as worried. I know his schedule, and if I have to stand guard at the door of the studio every day, I will.
If I’m still here. Fuck. A new team, a new city, new teammates. No Brogan or Sabrina. I’ll even miss London. Watching her give Brogan a run for his money and seeing the way she adores him. I couldn’t have asked for someone better suited for him. My gut twists at the thought of leaving this life. I’ve always known it was a possibility, but it doesn’t make it any easier.
By the time I walk into Coach’s office, I’ve worked myself into knots. His door is cracked open. I knock and peer inside.
