My father blinks at him like he’s lost his fucking mind. “What did you say, Cross?”
“You benched me and called me a problem to the media. For a week, you let reporters question my character and say some pretty shitty things about me.” Patterson shrugs. “I need to decide if I want to play for someone who acts that way.”
The silence is unbearable, and my heart starts racing again. My father’s face transforms into something that resembles pissed-off respect.
“You’re serious,” my dad says.
“Oh, yeah. I don’t think I want to,” Patterson tells him. “But I’ll think about it.”
Before my father can respond, Patterson stands. “Actually, Coach, before you start yelling, do you mind if we talk? The two of us.”
I look at him. “What?”
“Go wait downstairs, Kendall,” my dad tells me.
Patterson gives me a sweet but cocky-as-fuck smile.
I try to understand what he’s doing, but he gives nothing away.
“Okay. Well, good talk, Dad. I love you.”
“I’m sorry, Kendall. For being so harsh,” he says as I stand.
“I’m sorry for upsetting you.” I give him a smile and head for the door, turning back once. Patterson nods, and I step into the hallway and pull the door closed behind me.
I should go downstairs and give them privacy.
Instead, I hover near the door, like a kid.
Their voices are muffled through the wood, so it’s hard to hear what they’re saying. I catch fragments of Patterson’s voice. My father’s is gruff but even quieter than before.
Then I hear it.
“… marry …”
My eyes go wide, and I sneak down the hallway and down the stairs. This man told my father he’d have to think about playing tomorrow, and now I think he’s asking permission to marry me. The audacity. But then again, of course, I’m with a man with balls of steel. I don’t think it would work with anyone else.
I sit on the bottom step and wait with a stupid grin on my face that I can’t seem to control.
A few minutes later, I hear the office door open and footsteps behind me. Patterson appears at the top of the stairs, looking pleased, like he knows he pissed my dad off even more.
“Ready?” he asks, like he didn’t do whatever the hell that was.
“What did you say to him?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He takes my hand and pulls me toward the door. “I already told him bye for us. Let’s go home.”
I chuckle. “Okay.”
We walk to the Range Rover and climb in. “Seriously, what did you two talk about?”
“You’ll find out eventually.” He grins and rests his hand on my thigh. “Patience, Ken Doll. I mean, unless you were eavesdropping when I told your dad I was going to marry you.”
I tuck my lips inside my mouth as I imagine spending a lifetime with him. “Are youtryingto make him stroke out?”
He shrugs. “Thought I’d put it out there now so he can start working through it all at once.”
I tilt my head at him. “So, you’re planning on proposing to me?”
