I waited until they were out of earshot before I turned back to Dad. “You enjoy that way too much,” I scolded him.
With a wicked smile on his face, he waved a hand in the air. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Yeah, no. I was calling bullshit on that. He knew exactly what he was doing and he loved every single second of it.
A moment later, a stampede was stomping up the stairs. Holding my hand up, I got high fives from my nephews as they were herded inside. When Phoebe followed along like a lost puppy, I swept her off her feet and hugged her close.
“Uncle Luca!” she whined, wiggling in my arms.
“You forgot to say hello, Princess Phoebe.”
With a dramatic eye roll she inherited from her mother, she burrowed her head against my shoulder and squeezed me tight. There was a reason this little munchkin owned my heart, and it was this moment right now. She gave the best hugs.
“That’s a great hug,” I told her.
“I’m nearly three,” she reminded me.
As much as I loved Phoebe, she had the attention span of a goldfish. One minute she was talking about a book she read, the next she was asking for a donut.
“I know. And I heard you’re having a unicorn birthday party.”
“I am!”
Behind her, Hunter was just smiling like the proud father he was. And he should be. Phoebe was awesome. Although she mightn’t have been planned, Hunter and Sienna were nailing this parenting thing.
“Oh silly me,! I must’ve forgotten.”
“You’re silly, Uncle Luca!”
“Phoebe! Are you coming inside for dinner?” Sienna asked from the door, making Phoebe wriggle even more.
Setting her down, I watched as she scampered across the deck to where Sienna was waiting before they disappeared inside leaving Hunter and I standing there in the now silence. Dropping into one of the chairs, I watched as Dad flipped burgers. There was no point offering to help. I’d learnt a long time ago not to bother trying to get between Dad and the grill. It was his domain and no one was ever getting close.
Propping my feet up on the railing, I leant back and drained the rest of my beer. Even though I could use another, I knew it wasn’t a good idea. I had training tomorrow, then back-to-back appointments.
“So, this weekend’s the big one?”
“Huh?”
Hunter had settled into the seat beside me and was peeling the label from his water bottle. “Your last game’s this weekend, isn’t it?”
Even though Hunter’s question was innocent enough, it made my heart hurt. Retiring had been my decision, one I hadn’t regretted for a second, but the closer it got the more nervous I got. I was almost as anxious as I had been getting ready to play my first game all those years ago.
With the words caught in my throat, I coughed.
“Sorry I can’t be there,” Hunter apologised genuinely.
“Isn’t your game at the same time?” I asked. Hunter was one of the best ruckmen in the AFL. The last thing I’d ever ask him to do was miss a game for me.
“Yeah, we start at one so I doubt I’d make it in time. But Sienna and Phoebe will be there.”
“Don’t they normally go to your games?”
“Yeah but this is your last game. It’s special. They want to be there for you.”
“And you’re okay with that?” I don’t know if I would’ve been. I’d like to think so, but I couldn’t be sure.
“Absolutely. Sienna wouldn’t have it any other way.”
