“He’s such a nice man. How did you find him?” Mom asked.
“He worked for another player who retired, and they thought we’d get along.”
“Is he married? Have a girlfriend? I’ll need to put him on our Christmas card list.”
“No, he’s gay. No boyfriend or husband.”
“Oh. I didn’t know.”
“I guess announcing your sexuality isn’t something that comes up in conversation when you first meet people.”
“Wise guy.” She swatted me, and I snickered. “Well, I hope he meets someone. He seems like such a sweetheart. And very good-looking.”
I wondered what my parents would say if they knew I agreed with them.
“I’m gonna shower and change, then take you over to see the condo.”
“We can’t wait,” Dad said.
I hustled to the bathroom and got ready in less than twenty minutes. As exhausted as I was, having my parents here and seeing my new place energized me as if I’d downed three large coffees. Mom and Dad were on the couch but jumped up at my return.
“Ready to rock and roll?” I pulled out my phone. “I’ll get us a car.”
“This is so exciting,” Mom exclaimed, and I put my arm around her. “I have a good feeling.”
“Oh, yeah? I’ve bought apartments before.” We left the suite and headed to the elevator.
“I know, but something’s different. I can’t put a finger on it, but I think this is going to be your forever home.”
Dad chuckled. “Better listen to her. You know your mother’s never wrong about one of her feelings.”
It was a family joke but true. She’d warned me about marrying my exes, and had encouraged me to accept the offer to sign with the Kings.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” I gave her shoulder a squeeze. “It makes it even more special to share it with you.”
The ride was relatively quick, and we stood on the sidewalk, heads tipped back to admire the sheer height of the building.
“Wow. This is really tall.” Dad shaded his eyes. “How many stories?”
“Thirty. And I’m on the top floor. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one.”
Mom linked her arm with mine. “One of those feelings, huh?”
We all laughed and went inside, where the concierge greeted me.
“Mr. Sloane, your assistant is upstairs. He left the key for you. Welcome to the building.”
I took it from him. “Thanks. These are my parents. They’re allowed access at any time.”
“Very good. I’ll write their names down, and if they could just step over here, I’ll take their pictures and enter them in the building directory.”
Once that was done, I led the way to the elevator, and my anticipation ramped up as the elevator rose. I’d texted Fallon that we were almost there, and he’d replied with a smile emoji. As I remembered, the doors opened to the apartment and the wall of windows overlooking the glistening river.
“Oh, my. This is absolutely beautiful, Patrick.” Mom walked in first, and I spied Fallon waiting off to the side. An explosion of flowers greeted my eyes. All my mother’s favorites—peonies, lilacs, gardenias, and roses. “And these flowers. I’ve never seen anything so incredible. Thank you so much.”
The kitchen island held a spread of chocolates and pastries of every kind, a huge birthday cake, and a large salver with several bottles of champagne on ice and crystal flutes beside it.
“Let’s go out on the balcony and see the view.” I led my parents across the spacious living room, which Fallon had decorated in neutral tones of gray, beige, and sea green. A huge flat-screen dominated one wall, and I could see myself and some buddies kicking back in the off-season, watching games and movies. I hadn’t seen the rest of the apartment, but I knew everything would be perfect because Fallon had arranged it.
