Page 82 of Playing the Field
He takes a swig of beer and leans back in his chair, listening to the music with his eyes closed, silently mouthing the words to “She’s the One.”
It feels like a revelation, the idea of not letting my dad’s opinions be my narrative. “Maybe I need some therapy.”
“Maybe you do.” He makes it sound so simple. Perhaps it is.
Could be that I’m the one who makes things complicated by being stubborn. It’s my choice to let my dad’s opinions define me. The idea ofnotdoing that makes me feel lighter, almost gleeful.
I want to share this new sliver of wisdom and talk about it. Of course Gracie is the one person I want to tell. I have to earn her trust again, and it will be harder this time.
“I’m sorry about your dad, man.” I wish I’d been more aware of what he was going through.
“Yeah, it’s in the past. Now my job is to make sure I don’t fuckit up for that one in there.” He points a thumb over his shoulder toward his son’s room.
“You won’t. I’m an instinct player, and I have a good feeling,” I say.
He gives me a tired smile. I can’t imagine how he manages everything on his plate.
“I’m gonna choose to believe you because I want to.” He says the words calmly like he’s a normal guy having a normal conversation, but I know he’s been through some shit. He split from his wife a year ago, and I remember it being messy, but he never brought his emotions onto the field.
Now probably isn’t the time to ask him for details, but I make a mental note to be a better listener and a better friend to him in the future. “Thanks, man. And even though I’ve been a self-centered asshole up until now, I hope you’ll let me return the favor if you ever need one.”
His laugh is so quiet that I have to look at him to be sure it’s what I’m hearing. “I think you’re the only one who thinks you’re an asshole. Maybe try being a little less hard on yourself. Start that today.”
“Feels like I’ve heard that someplace before.” I shake my head.
“Lemme guess, Gracie isn’t just a brilliant analyst, she’s also emotionally intelligent?”
“How’d you know it was her I was referring to?” I wondered why he didn’t bother asking her name or anything else about her. Guess it’s because he already knew.
He levels me with a stare. “The kiss, for one thing. Then you lost your shit when you saw her with some dude at the AIFund event. Couldn’t have been more obvious if you tried.”
I nod, resigned to the fact that I’m not good at hiding my emotions, especially when I get riled up.
I finish my second beer and do the smart thing and call a ride share to get me back to the hotel.
Dario walks to the front door and yanks it open when the cararrives. “Don’t be a stranger. I’m here most nights by myself after Hayes goes to bed. Always happy to have some company.”
“Do you not date?”
He shakes his head. “Nope. Too complicated. So feel free to come on over here and join me anytime.”
I look around his tidy space, which is so quiet right now, even though I know he has a noisy five-year-old. He looks drained in a way only a dad can. He also looks content. I want that with Gracie. I want it all.
“Good vibes here, man. I’ll take you up on it.”
CHAPTER 41
Gracie
“How many textshas he sent you?” Tatum asks on our FaceTime call.
“So many. I’ve lost count.” I bustle around my office, where I’ve pushed my desk toward the center of the room so it no longer has a direct view of the practice field. I couldn’t stop myself from glancing out at the players every five minutes and debating what to say to Hunter.
“And you’re freezing him out?”
“No. I’m not a ‘freezing out’ type of gal. I’m responding politely every few times he texts.”
“So you’re freezing him out, but being polite about it. I like it.” She laughs, and I can hear her typing. Her phone is positioned against her computer screen, so even though it seems like she’s looking at me, I know she’s also working. I’m doing the same.
