“Good morning. Yes, I’m planning on heading over there soon.”
I use my calmest voice to answer. I know from experience that Julia leads with her emotions, so the more relaxed I am, the less likely we are to spiral into an emotional confrontation like we used to. The last thing Lexi needs is for her parents to be in conflict. She’s got enough to deal with as it is.
“When are you getting here? We need to discuss our daughter’s behavior. She won’t listen to reason!” Her tone is short and clipped, stress and anxiety evident. I hear my daughter in the background.
“Jesus Christ, Mom, could you be more dramatic?” I can visualize the eye roll that accompanies that statement.
In the past, this was the time I would run for the hills. I’ve been avoiding emotional confrontations with Julia for years, but my daughter comes first now, no matter how uncomfortable it gets for me.
“Okay, I’m headed your way in half an hour. We can all sit down and discuss this. Do you guys need anything? Breakfast? Coffee?” Coffee is the only way I’ll be able to function this morning.
“Oh. Yes, uh… a vanilla latte and a blueberry muffin would be great. Thanks, Damon. Lexi says she just ate, but would you get her an almond latte with an extra shot?”
I can hear the puzzlement in her voice, probably because I wasn’t like this during our marriage, but she’s significantly less hostile, so that’s a plus. I wasn’t exactly the best husband when we were together. I like to thinkI’m much better now that I’m sober and have worked through some of my emotional baggage.
I feel an arm come around my waist as I disconnect the call. There’s my beautiful lady. Goddamn, she’s adorable. She’s wearing an old Wolves t-shirt, her hair’s tousled, and her gray eyes are sleepy and soft as she cuddles into me. I pull her closer and rub my hands up and down her back. She feels so good, but I don’t have the time to enjoy it right now.
“Good morning, gorgeous. Sleep well?” I want nothing more than to take her back to bed and spend the rest of the morning making love to her.
“Mmm, yes, so well,” she mumbles. “Headed to the hospital?” she asks with a drowsy smile.
I brush my lips across hers in a brief kiss before nodding.
“Yeah. Lexi and her mother appear to be disagreeing at the moment. That’s good, though, because it means she’s feeling better.”
She nods in understanding. “Moms and daughters are a thing, especially at that age. Lily and I have finally begun a real friendship, but only in the last few years. It takes time to get there, but damn, those teenage years are hard on parents. And the kids, too.”
“How about you, baby? You okay this morning?” I nuzzle her hair, breathing in her unique honeysuckle and vanilla scent. That’s all it takes for my dick to wake up and take notice. I sigh because this is going to get awkward at work if I get hard every time I smell her. She gives me a dazzling smile, and my heart lurches in my chest.
“So much better,” she says, giving me a wide, happy grin. “Give me a call if you need anything. I can hold down the fort at the arena today. Nothing on our agenda that can’t be put off for another day. I’ve got you,” she says, bringing us back to practical matters.
I tell my dick to behave before kissing the top of her head.
“Thanks, boss. I already called Mel and got everything except that coach interview rescheduled, so you can be lazy this morning,” I tease. I hug her close one last time before heading into the bedroom to get dressed.
“Thank you for that. I was about to go check in,” she sighs with relief. I love that I can make her life just a bit easier.
Half an hour later, I get to the hospital, coffee, breakfast, and flowers in hand. I knock cautiously at the door to Lexi’s room because I’m not sure what I’m walking into. Julia opens the door, her eyes going straight to the coffees and the paper bag containing her muffin. I give her a reassuring smile to keep the mood light and head toward Lexi with the flowers and her latte. I’ve been bracing myself for seeing the bruising today. As an athlete, I know they’ll get worse for the next few days before they start to fade, but damn, the sight of her battered face has the rage rushing back with a vengeance. I stomp it down because it has no place in this room, but my inner caveman wants to beat the crap out of Carter all over again. Maybe even a little slower.
“Hey there, sweetie. Brought you something to cheer you up,” I say, as I hand her the flowers first and then her latte. She gives me a forced smile, and I can tell she’s annoyed. I prepare myself for the barrage from both of them. The silence only lasts a minute before they both start talking at once.
“Mom’s being unreasonable…”
“Lexi’s being stubborn…”
Before they can both get started on their tirade, I interject.
“How about each of you take turns talking about how you feel? That way, everyone feels heard.”
I mentally thank my therapist for her lessons about conflict resolution. They’ve paid off more than once in player negotiations and office issues, and hopefully, they will pay off here as well.
“Julia, why don’t we let Lexi go first? I think that’s fair given the situation.”
My ex looks at me strangely before murmuring her agreement. Even as she stands with her arms crossed, her mouth a thin line of discontent. We both turn to look at Lexi. She looks shocked but recovers quickly, and when she starts talking again, her tone is even-toned and less angry. I cross my fingers behind my back.
Please let this go well.
“Mom wants me to come back home and take a semester off. I don’t want to do that.”
