“I am lucky. Easy on the eyes, younger to keep me rejuvenated, and an absolutely great personality.”
He smiles to himself. “Hope luck is on your side because Coach Moore has arrived to talk to you.” Trey winks to me and then gives the man behind my shoulder a smile. “Hey, Coach, we still have it in us. See how our team came together to golf? A reflection of your fine leadership. It’s just some of us forgot about certain rules pertaining to your daughter.” He’s proud of himself as he pivots and leaves. Trey has a good heart, and everything he does is in a positive jest. Maybe he even just lightened the blow because I turn to face the man that I need to speak to.
“Coach Moore,” I greet him.
“Holden.” His tone is stiff, and he indicates that we should step to the corner out of earshot, which I feel is probably a great idea.
Nervously I smile, reminding myself that I’m a grown man who was always determined and fearless. “I’ve been wanting to reach out and talk to you. Life has been a little busy with the Dizzy Duck and my kids.”
“Not to mention my daughter. You seem to be busy with my daughter.” His cold demeanor is nearly scary as shit, but in the corner of my eye I see Lexi giving me an encouraging thumbs up.
“Listen, you can doubt my intentions or believe I’m not the right fit for Lexi, but I won’t hear what you have to say about it. All that matters is that Lexi and I believe that we’re something worth building on.” I’m firm in tone, my stance strong.
His eyes survey my body up and down. “I’m concerned about the experiences you have. You’ve been through a lot, when Lexi has lived one big carefree journey, even if it means ignoring the negatives. If you two are strong and have a future, then even if you’re nowhere near there, it still must’ve crossed your mind that one day she will want her first and hopefully only marriage, probably a baby too. Anything about that scare you? Because you’ve already experienced both, except the wife who is long-lasting. Would you do it again for my daughter?”
I take a few beats because everything he says is a stark reality that maybe I haven’t thought about this all enough. Still, it’s not a scary warning that I should run away either. Lexi is younger, and of course one day will want things that are already part of my life story.
“Yes, sir. I’ve thought about all of that, yet here I am.”
He lifts his chin, debating if I’m worthy. One thing that is different to our dynamic than any other normal relationship is that Lexi’s dad was my coach and through that we learned how we both react to situations. He knows if I’m being honest or not.
“Lexi raves about your wonderful children. Good kids normally means that someone in their life is a strong influence. They’ve had you, which indicates that you’re responsible. That counts for a lot in my book. You know I value strong family dynamics.”
My hands splay out. “Then look no further. You also know that I can support Lexi too.”
Coach chortles. “Now you’re sounding like this is a marriage talk. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
My body relaxes, as he just made a joke, that’s a good sign at least. “What will it be? Skepticism or an attempt to accept us? You know I’m not one to settle for anything less than a win.”
He glances over to the other corner where Lexi suddenly appears to keep herself busy with something else, having clearly been observing this scene.
His lips stretch slightly. “This is taking a little bit to wrap my head around. You broke my token rule to stay the hell away from my daughter. Which means you are even more persistent in getting what you want. I’m assuming you’re not doing this for kicks, and my daughter’s blatant joy right now is because of you.”
“Hopefully so.”
He sighs. “Fine.” He deflates. “She’s an adult and can make her own choices, even if it means that upcoming family dinners might need to defrost my opinion a little.”
My lips press tightly together, debating what else I should say to plead my case. “Thawing of opinions it is,” I concede.
We stare at one another for a long few seconds, standing our ground and wanting the same thing—for Lexi to be happy. I offer my hand; he hesitates, but we shake. An agreement between two men.
That’s another checklist item done.
When he walks away, I sigh in relief as Lexi nearly skips to me, overly joyous, and she claps her hands together.
“See? Not so bad. I made him promise that he would go easy.”
I rub my face in doubt. “I guess it could have been worse. Remind me to sit on the other side of the table at Thanksgiving.”
“A perfect idea.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulders, and we begin to walk through the room to find my little heathens that I love beyond the world.
“We should head outside. There are some games for the kids. Then I can also sign some stuff for the children from the foundation.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
After a few more chitchat conversations with a few people, we move outside. Harry and Lori run ahead of us to the candy-apple making next to the face-painting tent. Lexi and I keep our fingers gently linked as we walk. I spot the area where my former teammates are signing things for the children who anxiously wait with glee, and I’m happy this event makes their day.
