Page 116 of Lucky Shot
I laugh as I try to remember those days. Aidan was a good sleeper, or at least that’s what people told me, but there were plenty of long nights worrying and taking care of him.
“Anyway.” He smiles at me. “Everything’s good? Ready for the season to start?”
“Definitely.”
When I don’t say more, he nods. “Well, if you need anything, I’ll be…actually I don’t know where I’ll be yet, but you’ve got my number.”
I nod to confirm that I do.
“Thanks and congrats again. It gets easier.”
“I appreciate that.”
I start to leave, then pause and turn back. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
I mull over the right way to ask then decide there is no easy way to talk about it. It’s why I haven’t. Only with Travis and my dad.
“My dad had a heart attack earlier this year.”
“Oh Nick, I’m sorry. How’s he doing?”
“Better. He had an angioplasty and has been gaining his strength back.”
“That’s good news.”
“His doctor told me heart disease is often hereditary.”
“It can be, but you get screened every year and nothing has come up, right?”
“Right. Totally fine. I saw a cardiologist earlier this year.”
“Did he have any concerns?”
“No,” I admit. “But my mom passed away young, and then after everything that happened at the end of the season, I don’t know, I guess it’s been weighing on me heavier.”
He nods slowly like he’s finally understanding. “It’s definitely something to keep an eye on, but you’re young and take great care of yourself, so even with any predisposed genetics, I would put your risk at low.”
I know what he’s saying is the odds are in my favor, but it doesn’t make me feel better like I think he intends.
“Have you talked to Dr. Ariak?”
“I did my sessions with her after the surgery.” Our team psychologist is great, but I guess I wasn’t ready to talk about it at the time.
“It might not be a bad idea to keep seeing her. Taking care of an aging parent can be hard. Especially when you add in your own health anxiety.”
“Health anxiety?”
“It’s common. Especially in your line of work where injuries are inevitable. If you aren’t comfortable with Dr. Ariak then I can make a referral outside of the team too.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Of course.”
I shift my weight to leave and Adam moves back behind his desk.
Standing in the doorway, I linger. “Congrats again on the baby. Best thing I ever did.”
