Aphrodite sipped champagne from the baroque-style flute as a devilish look crossed her face. “Even more reason to stop giving a fuck.”
“More than my vanity issues I don’t want people talking about me and my place in Ami’s life. The worst thing is what they’re saying about me. Nobody knew who I was besides me just being the nanny. And then they started saying all the stuff about me using her to get to him and that’s hurtful because—”
She glanced at the video monitor that was over Ami’s crib. She’d gone down peacefully about fifteen minutes ago so I knew I’d be able to finish lunch before she got up. “That’s your damn baby; fuck them people.”
“I know. But I guess without him saying anything to anyone it’s got me feeling insecure in my position.”
“Don’t tell him that.”
I looked up from the finishing touches I was putting on her plate and my surprise had to be clear. I hadn’t expected her to tell me to hide how I was feeling from Aldrich at all. “Why not you think it’ll make him mad?”
“I think it’ll have him getting Bobby to issue statements that will make you feel better but will let the vultures know they got to you. And then they won’t stop.”
I extended her plate to her and she took it with a grin as she danced in her seat. I moved both baskets of chips, one barbecue flavored and the other salt and vinegar, to the spot in between our seats. I sat my plate in front of my seat before handing over the cups with the bisque inside. “You’re right. I’d thought of that but I don’t know…I don’t know what to do to be real.”
I walked around the countertop and sat down in the seat next to her. She squeezed my hand trying to comfort me as much as she could.
“Be happy. That’s the one thing I knew I had to do. If this thing with Anthony was going to be a season or a lifetime either way I was going to be happy. He makes me happy. Sees me. Roots for me. To be seen by someone is to be loved to the very depths of your soul and I’d heard that but I had never experienced it. I have now and I won’t ever settle for less than that. Not even from Bam.”
“That makes a lot of sense so I can’t even argue with your logic.”
“Good. Then we can get to this food because it looks amazing.” She picked up one of the chips and bit into it with a nod. “See, I can’t bring Bam’s ass here.”
“Why not? It’s not good?”
“No, it’s good as fuck and my ass doesn’t cook. Won’t even pretend I’m going to do anything more than the basics. Homemade lobster rolls and chips won’t ever be my forte.”
“You’re wild.”
She grabbed a chip and ate it completely unbothered. “I’m right though. I’ll just have to let him keep touching that thing in the back of my throat so he knows my talents lie elsewhere.”
I almost choked on my champagne when she said that because it was so unexpected. “Aphrodite what in the world?”
She patted her chest apologetically but I knew she meant every damn word. “That’s on me. I have no filter since dealing with that man.”
“I’d imagine. But thanks for the advice. You’re right… I’ll have to develop a thicker skin and let this shit roll off my back. As long as what they say doesn’t mess up home, I’ll ignore it.”
She lifted her flute and I did the same. When they clinked together she smiled, “Now that’s something to drink to.”
“Hey, baby girl.”
I held the phone away from my face because surely the person on my phone wasn’t trying to pretend I hadn’t heard from him since my birthday. In March. And before that, I hadn’t heard from him since the holidays. A part of my not giving a fuck was keeping my personal phone on and not hiding behind it being shut off like a little kid. I was now regretting my choice immensely.
“Dad.”
I was immediately irritated with the way he sounded but the last thing I wanted to do was jump to conclusions. This week had been stressful enough and trying to parse out other people’s emotions was far too much for me especially when I was taking care of a baby who was currently going through a sleep regression. I’d taken on the lion's share of parenting because after our first weekend away we had a home game, which only put my relationship with Aldrich further in the spotlight. The team loved the outfit I wore for the first home game: a pair of light-washed, high wasted baggy pants that I had cut up and patched with parts of Money’s jersey. The 8’s from the shoulder area of his jersey were placed on both back pockets and the letters from his last name were going down one pants leg. I’d kept it casual and worn royal blue and white designer sneakers and a white t-shirt that I had blinged out with a royal blue money sign. The Desperados logo showed everyone that my presence wasn’t a fluke and the reporters immediately started to dig harder into my background. Which had apparently opened up this current can of worms that was now on my line. The last month had been a whirlwind of people trying to speak on our relationship and many nights I had to keep Aldrich calm from going off. But we’d gotten to a point where we both did our best to ignore what people said. Aldrich had continued to perform despite people talking about us. His most amazing play so far had to be the first home game when they thought they had him on the ground but he used a defender’s body to springboard himself upright and score. I’d gone hoarse screaming in the box and was so happy I’d put Ami’s headphones on her. Our house was joyful but the person on the line might try to put a dent in that resolve.
“I’ve been seeing you a lot in the news lately. Didn’t even realize that you were in Texas for a job.” His tone sounded likehe wanted to put the burden on me for his not knowing anything about me. That ship sailed years ago.
“I am. I’ve been here since the spring.” I moved around the kitchen getting the rest of the food in the pan as I waited on him to make whatever his reasons or calling clear. Practice was over and I knew Aldrich wouldn’t stay for film sessions tonight since it was Wednesday. He would want to come home since they would be traveling out of town this weekend and Ami and I weren’t going to make it to the game. I’d already gotten permission to have a few people over to watch the game here, which he damn near cussed me out for asking, but it still felt weird to have free rein of his house but Aldrich insisted.
“Dang, has it been that long already? That’s crazy.”
Again, I felt heat move up my spine because something about how he was speaking made me feel as though he were prodding me for information. I wondered if he and my mother had spoken again since I had iced her out. They hadn’t said a cordial word to one another in almost seventeen years but now I had to wonder. The enemy of my enemy after all…
“We don’t really talk that often, Dad. Especially not after the holidays and my birthday. We knock those out by March so I’m not really surprised.” I leaned against the counter my eyes darting to the baby monitor seeing that Ami was still sleeping peacefully after all the hell she gave me this morning.
“Maybe we need to change that.”
