“Is that possible? Have you not discussed everything?”
“To a degree. We want to go slow, get to know each other again. And as you know, it’s hard to spend time together with our schedules. She’s in school and working almost full-time.”
“But you’re already bringing her to games and stuff? Introducing her to friends?”
“We have to start somewhere, and my extended family is probably safer than hers.”
“What about your parents?”
“They’re cautious but willing to give her a chance. The person I’m most worried about is Coach.”
He smiles. “He’s never been unfair.”
“No, but he gave me a stern talking-to before he brought me back from Atlanta. Reminding me that he won’t put up with drama and all that shit.”
“Right. So don’t get into any drama. You and Victoria need to be cognizant of that. Make sure you’re always on the same page and have each other’s backs.”
“That’s the plan. I just wish her father wasn’t so damn rigid. I get wanting to protect your daughter. I would too. But at some point, don’t you have to let them grow up? I mean, you’re about to have a daughter and you must be thinking ahead to that kind of thing at least a little.”
He smiles. “It’s hard to think about her dating when she’s not even here yet, but her mom and I don’t plan to smother her. I can’t speak for anyone else, but you have children to raise and nurture and then set them free. The goal isn’t to keep them glued to my side until I die.”
“That’s what I think too. In theory.”
“Look, if you’re serious about Victoria, it’s not my place to condemn it. You have to follow your heart. Just be smart about it.”
If only it was as easy in practice as it sounds in theory.
A group of guys is going out after the game and I hesitate. Normally, I’d be the one leading the charge but now I don’t want to go sit at a bar or, worse, a strip club, to meet women. There are single guys on the team but there are also some married ones who do it anyway. I’m all about having a good time but I’ve never condoned cheating. I don’t know for sure that some of the guys do, but I suspect. And that’s not for me.
On the flip side, there’s no reason I can’t go out with my friends and have some fun. I’d rather not go to a strip club, and I’ll bow out if that’s the case, but I like spending time with my teammates.
“Where are we going?” Milo asks, making a face. He’s not quite twenty-one yet so he can’t go to places with an age requirement.
“I don’t know,” I say, closing the locker and looking around. “There are some great jazz clubs but I don’t know if you can get in.”
He sighs. “I’m so over not being twenty-one.”
“Six more months, buddy.”
“Feels like six years.”
I laugh. I’ve been through it and all you can do is wait or try to sneak in, but the Knights organization frowns on that. If he gets caught, the team will fine him. Not to mention potential legal repercussions. And Milo is a rule-follower even if he complains about it.
“Why don’t we go out to get something to eat?” I suggest. “Chicago has great food.”
“I want to go to a titty bar,” someone calls out. “You lame fuckers can go eat but I’m going for something a little more interesting. Come on, JP—” My teammates sometimes call me by my initials. “—you’re really not coming?”
“I don’t want to look if I can’t touch,” I say simply. “And I’m hungry.”
Someone grunts their disapproval.
Whatever.
I don’t care what the guys think, though I hate thinking about this guy’s pregnant wife at home.
Most of us wind up going to a pizza place we love, and luckily, they stay open late. We fill the place up and start ordering, just as a group of fans wearing Chicago jerseys come in.
Ugh.
