“That’s the million-dollar question. C’mon.” Tyrone stands and holds his hand out to help me up. “I’ll tuck you in. You look like you haven’t slept in days.”
He leads me to my bedroom, pulls back the comforter, and kisses my forehead. “You know where to find me.”
The silence after he leaves closes in on me, and sleep won’t come. I need another perspective, so I text my dad.
Me: Crazy question
Dad: What’s up?
Me: What if I’m attracted to someone who is all wrong for me?
I can give basics without outing Theo. My mind replays our kiss over and over. He’s probably freaking out since he outed himself. I’m stressing about nothing.
Dad: ?
Me: He’s everything I don’t like. He’s entitled and comes from money and has been handed everything. His idea of a hardship is sitting in businessclass
The last thing I made up, but it’s probably true.
Dad: Do you like him?
Me: He’s confusing
Dad: Don’t make the decision about him. Make it about you. If you like him and he treats you and others with kindness, that’s all that matters. You can’t hold his background against him. And it can’t be serious until we meet him *winky face emoji*
Me: You sound like Mom
Dad: Best compliment ever!
Dad: Seriously don’t put up with bad behavior
My phone falls onto my chest. Theo is maddening and insufferable and burrowed so far into my life, I can’t dig him out. Fuck.
Me: Do you think I have a thing for people who dislike me?
Dad: IF HE TREATS YOU BAD DUMP HIM!
Me: We’re not together
Me: I’m considering the possibility
Dad: The person you choose has to earn your trust through the way he treats you
Me: Thanks, Dad. Napping
Dad: Love you son
My dad and Tyrone basically said the same thing. We had one kiss, and I’m jumping a million steps ahead. I need to sit my ass down.
Unless I put off dating until I retire, someone will have something negative to say. And everyone gets to express their unfiltered opinions online. Lucky me.
Theo’s been avoiding me for over a week. I should be grateful for the time to get my head on right. But I’m more confused than ever, and he isn’t helping one way or the other. He hasn’t apologized. In fact, he’s acting like it didn’t happen and I don’t exist.
I should let that be my answer and move on. Avoid a confrontation that could hurt our team dynamics.
I shouldn’t selfishly desire him.
It could destroy the team or end our careers. Manydifficultplayers have faded into obscurity after their personal lives hurt their team.
