“Because you’re scared she’ll walk away.”
Mom’s perceptiveness was starting to grate on my nerves.Still, I couldn’t hide from the facts, so I nodded.
“For the first five years after we married, ourmarriagewas long-distance,” Dad said.“Maybe you should tell her about that.”
“I did.Your story didn’t have the confidence-building effect I’d hoped for.”I stared down at my beer as more thoughts crowded my brain—thoughts of Saylor trying to distance herself from me, avoiding me, going stiff in my arms whenever I referred to us as more than friends-with-benefits.
“You’re in love with her.”
Fuck!Dadtoo?
“I’ll figure it out.So you’re making another trip out here next weekend, huh?”
Though my parents exchanged a look—one I’d seen on many occasions growing up: one that said they’d communicated pages of thoughts—they let me deflect.
“That’s the plan.Playoffs and pro scouts.”Dad tipped his head in a sage nod.“How’s your head?This situation with Saylor isn’t messing with it, is it?”
“I’ve learned to compartmentalize like a boss, Dad.I’ll be in top form,” I assured him.
Mom rested her hand on my forearm.“You truly can have it all, you know, Cash.I did.”She sent a fond look across the table to Dad.“It’s a matter of determination, planning, and commitment.And love.Love most of all.”Patting my arm, she added, “The two of you were trying hard to act casual at dinner last week, sitting apart, keeping your hands to yourselves.But neither of you were good at hiding your feelings.Both of us”—she exchanged another soft glance with Dad—“caught you looking at each other the way we look at each other.”Giving me a little pat, she smiled.“You’ll figure it out.”
Even though we’d had the mother of all Thanksgiving feasts, around dinnertime, my stomach started growling, which signaled my parents to take me out for dinner.Afterward we said our goodbyes at their hotel, and I ended the evening in bed, scrolling through my phone.At last I gave in and texted Saylor.
Me: Happy Thanksgiving.How was your day?
She must have been waiting for me, because the three floating dots popped up on my screen immediately.
Saylor: Happy Thanksgiving!It was awesome.Mom pulled out all the stops on dinner, and I won the poker tournament.
Me: You guys play poker on Thanksgiving?
Saylor: Just my dad, grandpa, and uncles.Oh, and Mason, but only when Dad will stake him.He has a terrible poker face.
She added three laughing emojis, emphasizing what she thought of her brother’s card-playing skills.
Me: That’s how you became a card sharp?
Saylor: Pretty much.
Another laughing emoji.
Saylor: Joke’s on them.I’ve won the tournament for five years running.They’re threatening not to let me play next year.
Me: Brutal, babe.Remind me to wear extra clothes when we play strip poker.
Saylor: You’re hilarious.How was dinner with the team?
Me: Excellent, actually.Especially the part where my parents surprised me by showing up among the servers.Mom made her famous sausage dressing, and all the underclassmen are lamenting I’m a senior since they only got to have it once.
Saylor: Your parents came for Thanksgiving with you?That’s wonderful, Cash.I’m glad.
Me: Since I have practice and film for the next two days, they’re headed back home tomorrow, but we had a nice visit.
I hesitated, but then thought,What the fuck, might as well go allin.
Me: They were asking about you.You left a good impression last weekend.
It seemed an age before she responded, and I worried I’d made a big mistake.
