“He is. I couldn’t have asked for a better son-in-law.”
She pulls back to look up at me. “What was it like for you finding out that one of your players was dating your daughter?”
I huff a laugh. “Well, he’s theonlyone of my players that I would’ve been cool with dating Miller. And that’s mostly because he’s the only guy I know that could handle her.”
Reese chuckles. “But he’s also your friend, right?”
“Yeah, he’s a good friend of mine. And sometimes I take on more of a fatherly role when he or Isaiah need it. Their dad isn’t in the picture, so... yeah. And then I’m also their coach, so there’s that. Our dynamic might seem weird, but it works.”
“I don’t think it’s weird at all. I think it’s sweet. I’m kind of jealous of your family.” She breathes a nervous laugh as soon as that last sentence is out of her mouth. “So how did that all work? Him and Miller. Did he run it past you first, or did they keep it a secret? And how did you feel when you found out?”
It’s wild to think that Reese wasn’t here for that part of this team’s history. That she wasn’t there for that part of my life. I’ve never had someone ask for my point of view on the whole thing.
I find myself wishing she was around then. It would’ve been nice to have someone to talk to.
But I get to talk to her now.
I shift onto my back, one arm folded under my head, the other wrapped around her waist. Pulling her into my side, Reese rests her head on my chest and waits for my response.
And I can’t help the stupid smile on my face when I say, “Okay, let me start from the beginning and tell you everything.”
28
Reese
“We’re the laughingstock of the league right now!” Scott yells, standing from his seat at the conference table.
“Do you understand what you’ve done, young lady?” That’s Phil joining in.
Two more of the advisory board members tack on something about being disappointed in me and blah blah blah...
At this point, I’m kind of over it. I didn’t call this advisory meeting, and anything they have to say, I’ve already heard it this week.
I also don’t really care.
Of course, I want Milo to do well. I want our team to succeed. But I’ve given up on trying to make everyone happy. I made the trade I saw best for our future and I’m sticking by it.
My eyes drift to Ed.SweetEd who has had nothing but encouragement for me this week. He offers a smile full of apology for his fellow board members.
“Well.” I stand from my seat. “If you’re all done treating me like a child, I’m going to go now.” Grabbing my bag, I head for the door of the conference room. “I’ll see you tonight at my grandfather’s retirement party, where I’m sure you’ll all pretend you didn’t just spend the entire morning disrespecting me inmybuilding regarding the team thatIown.”
I push the door open, but Scott stops me in the doorway.
“How do you sleep at night knowing the entire league thinks you’re runningyourteam into the ground, Reese?”
Man, the fucking gall of this guy.
I contemplate his question. “Usually with a fan on. Thermostat set to sixty-seven, and like a fucking baby. Thanks for asking.”
Ed laughs but tries to cover it with a cough, and with that final word, I leave.
Now that some time has passed and we’ve made it back home, there’s definitely more confidence in the way I walk down the hall. I’m caring less about what everyone else has to say and more about what Ithink regarding the situation.
I’ve adopted this “me against the world” attitude that’s been working well for me, but there’s even more conviction behind the sentiment knowing it’s not just me. It’s Emmett too. And, even more so, it’s the players having my back as well.
Every single one of them who’s been interviewed this week has stood up for me publicly. And what I once thought might be rehearsed lines their field manager told them what to say, I now realize are their own words. Their own convictions. It’s obvious in the way they’ve been ripping reporters to shreds if asked a disrespectful question regarding me.
So, I suppose it’s the Warriors against the world. And that feels like a pretty good position to be in.
