I sit on the top step with my coffee, pull up my dad's number, and hit call before I can build a case for waiting. I’ve put this off long enough.
"Declan."
I can hear the smug tone of voice. He's been expecting my call. He thinks I finally broke after his little freeze-out.
"Dad."
"I heard you had a good game."
"Yeah. We won."
"I know you won the championship. Congratulations." The word is robotic. It did feel strange to have such an amazing season without him there to see it.
“We did. I’m ready.”
He chuckles. “Holding that championship is a good motivator. I’m not sure Seattle is interested anymore. You put them off.”
“I did. I didn’t want Seattle. I have the team I want.”
“It doesn’t work like that.”
“Boston. I want you to make it happen. Use every relationship you have—call in every favor. Get their GM on the phone and make them want me. Negotiate a trade deal. I know you can do it."
I hear the shift. I can imagine him sitting forward. He’s paying attention now.
“I can’t change the draft.”
“Dad, don’t play dumb. I know you guys all negotiate behind closed doors.”
"I've spent the last year negotiating with Seattle," he says. "The relationships, the positioning, the conversations I've had on your behalf. You understand what I've put into this."
"I know what you've put into it."
"Then you understand the contract there versus here.”
"Dad." I keep my voice even. "I'm not calling to be talked out of it."
Another silence.
“Seattle was never my dream."
I’m pretty sure I can hear him grinding his teeth.
"Seattle was the plan," I say. "The plan you built and the plan you expected me to walk into. And I understand why—I know how hard you worked for it; I know what it represents for you. I'm not saying that was nothing." I take a sip of coffee, like the caffeine will give me strength. "But it was your plan. I'm twenty-two. I'd like to make my own."
"This is about that girl."
I knew that was going to come up. He can’t let it go.
"This is about me," I say. "I’m staying on the East Coast. Sutton is one of the reasons, but not the only one. I'd be making the same call if she weren't in my life. I want to build something with a team that has room for me to grow into it, and that's here. Not Seattle."
"You're a little fish swimming in a massive pond here. You’re not going to get the spotlight. Too many stars. Too much baggage. You’re throwing away the chance to be recognized, to be great."
"I'm not throwing anything away." I keep my voice calm. I will not rise to the fight he’s instigating. Not anymore. "I'm making a choice. My choice." I pause. "I want you to open the conversation with the team. If you won’t, I’ll find an agent that will.”
"You wouldn’t."
“I will," I say. "But I'd rather not. You're my dad, and your experience matters to me. I want you involved. On this contract, on the career, on all of it. I just need you to accept that I'm the one making the final call."
