“Yeah. Married to my mom.”
Listening to Robert joke with his dad felt like everything in the world was right. This is the relationship a person was supposed to have with their father, not the disjointed one she had with hers.
“I’m really looking forward to the day I look toward the sidelines and see you sitting right there,” Robert told her. “Next season, I want you at every game.”
“I’ll do my best.” And she meant it. He was her man, and football held a huge chunk of her heart. She hated that she missed out on the excitement of attending Robert’s games because she had to sneak around, and she resented her father more than ever.
Relief flooded her with the knowledge that it would be over soon. The Bucks won, so her father would at least be in a good mood when she told him. Guilt quickly moved in and weighed her down with the knowledge that she’d extinguish his good mood in an instant. Worry followed and kicked aside any guilt she was feeling, but she reminded herself that she still had an ace up her sleeve.
Amber woke up early ready to conquer the world. And by the world, she meant her father. According to Robert, the team’s flight was due to arrive at Newark at 6:12 p.m., so she had time to prepare. She rearranged her schedule, worked through lunch, left her office by two, and went straight to her parents’ house.
The plan was to first see her mom, go over what she had rehearsed to say to her father, and remind her mom that she needed to have her back. Years ago, her mother would have loved nothing more than to engage in a heated exchange with her father, especially if it was two against one. But these days, the woman chose to stay out of arguments between Amber and her father, and their marriage was better for it.
“Amber. What are you doing here in the middle of the day?” her mom asked, surprised at her unannounced arrival and that she wasn’t at work.
Her mom poured a cup of coffee from the fresh pot on the counter. She added sugar and creamer and handed it to Amber. It was strong, just the way she liked it.
“Have you spoken to Dad since the game?” Amber asked. “Robert said he’s in a great mood.”
“I did, and he is. I watched the game. That man of yours is an amazing player. And what a good-looking guy.” She sighed. “You two are going to make some beautiful babies.”
“Babies?” She didn’t even tell her father about their relationship yet, and her mom had her married with children.
“Don’t you want children?” Her mom’s lips bowed downward in a disappointed frown.
“Of course, but I’m 28. And we haven’t talked about it. We haven’t even talked about marriage.”
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Her mom raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow. “You’re 28.”
“I’m waiting to tell Dad.”
“Waiting to tell me what?”
There, in the kitchen doorway, stood Amber’s father—all six feet of intimidation staring straight at her. He had a slight curl to his lips, obviously still riding high from last night’s win.
Amber felt as if the blood ran from her body, and her heart stopped for a moment. Thankfully, her mother broke the silence, because she couldn’t do more than stare back at her father.
“Vic. We weren’t expecting you until later this evening.”
“We took an earlier flight. It’s been a long season, and we were all anxious to get home to our families.” He smiled and kissed his wife’s cheek. “Me included.” He turned to Amber, unsure how to greet her, since displays of affection were long gone between the two. “Nice to see you, Amber. You don’t visit often enough.”
“Hi, Dad.” She took a deep breath, ready to rip off the Band-Aid. “I have something to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago, but I was afraid of how you’d react.”
“Don’t be afraid to tell me things. I’m still your father. I have your best interests at heart, despite what you might think.”
She opened her mouth, ready to spew forth a long list of instances where he most definitelydid nothave her best interests at heart, but this wasn’t the time to re-hash old arguments. His tone, even now when he was speaking in a calm, considerate manner, still sounded raspy, like he was spitting nails, so it wasn’t making this any easier. “You might want to sit down for this.”
His eyes drifted to her mother, then settled back on Amber. “I think I’ll stand.”
“Very well.” Amber straightened her spine and pushed her shoulders back in an attempt to stand tall because she wasn’t delivering the news while he towered over her. “I’ve been seeing Robert Blade.”
Her father’s eyes hardened, and his face turned beet red. “I’m gonna kill that fucking kid,” he replied, tightlipped, raising a clenched fist.
“Vic, hear her out,” Amber’s mother quickly interjected.
“He’s my boyfriend,” Amber replied, calmly, even though her heart pounded so hard she thought it might break a rib. “Actually, he’s more than that. We’re in love. Robert didn’t know you were my father,” she quickly continued, cutting him off before he could say anything. “Not until recently. That’s why he didn’t tell you. Don’t be mad at him. I only told him a few weeks ago. He wanted to tell you right away, but I didn’t want anything to interfere with the game, so I convinced him to wait until today. So, here it is.” She opened her arms and spread them wide, taunting her father, even though she knew she shouldn’t. But she was angry too, and she welcomed whatever he had to say on the subject. “Everything you were afraid was going to happen, happened. I’m involved with one of your players. Is the world going to explode?”
“Damn right it is! Wait until I get my hands on that kid!”
