I laugh and jog away smugly, ready to knock my team back into line just as she has with me. I’m already dreaming about the day I get to show her that I’m in charge; and I’m sure she’ll enjoy it as much as I will.
After training, I discreetly hover around outside the gym with Tyler, to give my daughter and Carter time to say goodbye. Jordan ran off as soon as the session was over – I imagine she’s trying to avoid any more of our encounters.
“What do you think?” Tyler asks, gesturing towards my daughter.
“What am I supposed to think?”
“You have a teenage daughter, Niall. There are lots of things you should be thinking.”
“Don’t put thoughts into my head.”
“I’m not doing anything. Buthe,” he says, nodding in Tyler’s direction, “has plenty of thoughts flying aroundhishead.”
“Who, Carter?”
“Everyone has those thoughts, Niall.”
“Are you saying I should be worried?”
“I just wouldn’t leave them alone so much.”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
“That’s how you thank me for coming to give you a hand today?”
“You were the one who told me you were busy tonight.”
“I need to help my brother with something.” He glances at his watch. “And I’m already late.”
“Go, then.”
“I’m going, I’m going. But you,” he says, gesturing towards my eyes, “don’t lose sight of what’s important. Okay?”
“I’ll see you later, Tyler.”
He waves, and heads off towards his car, as Skylar approaches me. Carter has already jumped onto his bike. We climb into the car and I turn on the ignition; just as we’re pulling out of the school gates, Skylar speaks.
“I think I have to ask you about something again.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“I want to go out. Tomorrow night.”
I slam the brakes on in the middle of the road. “What?”
“I want to go out.”
“With who?”
She lowers her eyes. “Carter.”
“Carter.”
She shrugs, embarrassed.
“Didn’t you hate him?”
“Didn’t you tell me I had to start making friends?”
