She placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder as he tookanother sip of his beer. “Bub and Sean get together with the other retired Manatees and they host this huge barbecue. We do it in our backyard. It backs right up to the St. Johns river and they spend a fortune on fireworks.”
“You should,” Coach agreed. “The girls and I might be coming.”
Taylor had only met Anushka and Devi once or twice at one of their home games, but they were both busy with their own schedules being in the PWHL. They were both hard-headed and strong-willed like their mom, Taylor had said.
“Sounds fantastic,” Taylor told them. “If my schedule allows then I’ll absolutely be there.”
Fletcher wanted to ask him what he was doing after the season ended. He had never thought about what it would be like to spend so much time away from him. He honestly had just assumed Taylor would stay in Seattle. But it would make sense for him to go somewhere else. Maybe to meet up with old friends. Like Emogen.
Fletcher gulped. He didn’t know if she and Taylor were dating or not. Taylor told him they were just really good friends, but he always talked with her on the phone and called her “dear.” She came to visit him for New Year’s. His favorite holiday. They even kissed after the countdown, but Fletcher had noticed they’d actually kissed a couple times through the night. He didn’t want to admit it bothered seeing him with a girl. Emogen was the only girl he was sleeping with, he thought. Whatever. Fletcher had no reason to let it bother him or mess with his head.
“Fletch?” Taylor asked, drawing him from his impending downward spiral. He put his hand back down on his thigh, suddenly feeling like molten lava even through the fabric of hisslacks.
“Sorry, what? I got distracted for a minute.”
“Your mom was asking if you were seeing anybody.”
Fletcher choked, which made the corners of Taylor’s mouth turn up into a knowing smile. His thumb rubbed circles on Fletcher’s thigh. It didn’t mean anything. Purely platonic. Just being friendly, Fletcher told himself again. Just a friend who was there to support him.
“Nothing serious,” he managed to cough out. He cleared his throat. “I’m way too busy for that right now.”
His mom laughed. “Well as long as you’re being safe. I’m too young to be a grandma.”
Coach chuckled. “I’ve been keeping my eye on him, Laur. He’s been on his best behavior.”
They finished their dinner and declined dessert. Sean reached to pick up the check, but Coach beat him to it. She slid her gold Amex card into the bill folder and handed it to their waitress.
When she returned the card and receipt to the table, they all stood up and pushed in their chairs before walking out into the lobby.
“God, I’m stuffed,” his mom announced. She wrapped her arm around Coach and gave her a long hug before reaching out to Sean to the key to the car. He handed it to her and she left after telling the boys goodbye. She promised she’d be at the next game in Seattle colors this time, which warmed Fletcher’s heart a little. Or maybe she realized it looked bad not supporting her son.
His dad lingered, meaning he wanted to stay and talk to Fletcher for a moment. Coach and Taylor seemed to catch on. They excused themselves and retreated to their rooms for the night.
“Walk with me for a minute, son.”
Fletcher nodded and followed his dad outside, a wave of nervousness fogging his mind. They took a slow stroll right outside the lobby. Cars passed by them, but there weren’t that many people out on the sidewalk. It was just him and his dad.
“I really like that Piers boy,” he told him. “I’ve been keeping my eye on him. I’d wager he’ll win rookie of the year.”
“Yeah, he’s great,” Fletcher agreed. “He’s a better player than I am,” he said with an edge of insecurity.
“He is,” his dad told him. No reason for him to sugarcoat it. They walked further down the sidewalk silently for a few more minutes before his dad cleared his throat. He stopped walking, so Fletcher did too.
“I’ve been thinking about something long and hard.”
“Thought about what?” Fletcher asked. He told himself to remember to breathe.
“I’ll allow you to finish out your season with Seattle. You can enjoy your year of freedom. But then you’re coming back home.”
No. Not happening. Fletcher scoffed and folded his arms across his chest. “That’s not happening, Dad. You’re not in charge of deciding what team I play for.” Was he serious? Did he really think he had that much influence over Fletcher’s career? It was bullshit. He sounded delusional.
“I’ve been praying on this for weeks.” His dad sighed with a self-righteous expression painted on his face. “I spoke to Wanda. Told her we could work something out. I’ve accepted an assistant coaching position for the Manatees and will take over as head coach when Ruddock retires next year.”
Fletcher took a step away from him. “You can’t be serious. You don’t think I have anything in my contract that protectsme? It’s ironclad, Dad. I’m done having you try and control my life.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Fletcher rolled his eyes as he turned around and began walking back to his hotel. His dad kept talking behind him. Probably threatening him or something. But Fletcher tuned him out completely. He wouldn’t listen to any of the bullshit his dad spat out. Not anymore.
